Praying for marriages with involvement with sports ~ December

For some sport has become a god to which much has been sacrificed – time, money, integrity, family – to name but a few. Ball tampering in cricket, match fixing, performance enhancing drugs, unfaithfulness in marriage, fornication have all shown up in sport. Yet also there have been acts of kindness and compassion. In themselves sport and physical recreation are good things when used to exercise bodies and minds, competing or supporting and encouraging those who do. Sports and recreational activities often bring people together, letting them bond in a non-threatening way, and opening incredible doors to the Gospel. Christian team coaches and team chaplains can teach discipline and values from a biblical perspective. Christians are ambassadors for Christ and should ensure that they do not engage in any sport or recreation they would not want to be found in when Christ returns. Yet there has been, in more recent years, open opposition to Christ being honoured in sports venues, and prayers being made to Him at the sports venue. (2 Timothy 1:7 )

• Please pray against any prejudice/discrimination in "selections" in any sports and in particular those in remote communities "have a fair go".
• Pray for all involved with transgender issues. Regrettably the sporting arena can no longer be assumed to be a safe place for women. Please pray for safety & wisdom for all women & girls, whether in changing rooms or when taking part in any sport. Pray for justice & righteousness to prevail. Pray for strength and favour for those codes which do not allow transgender males to compete in women's sports. (Genesis 5:2)
• Pray that Christian athletes, walk humbly before the Lord, giving Him the glory for their special gifts and talents, giving thanks and praise to God & honouring the sacrifices made by their families on their behalf.
• Pray for courage & wisdom for Christian athletes humbly to witness to others in love, especially young people. These young people might then share the gospel message with their parents. (Matt 10:15)
• Pray that families would be places where integrity, humility and kindness are valued, and winning at all costs is shunned, especially in the sporting arena.
• Pray that parents, schools and coaches would teach honour and respect to those in the field of sport as well as courage and humility.
• Pray that youth, schools and parents would be taught, both at school and at home, that it is not a disgrace to lose as long as all have done their best. Pray that this is also valued by the media.
• Pray that those involved in the sport industry would work together to ensure that matches are family friendly whether watched live or through media - that the culture of drug use, alcohol abuse, verbal abuse, and worship of the body would be removed from this industry.
• Pray that families would exercise wisdom when deciding which sports & recreation become part of their family life - i.e. they choose those which display Godly lifestyles, behaviours and values.(Prov. 4:20-27)
• Pray for the marriages of all involved in competitive sports, that spouses would resist temptation, that decisions made would be in agreement, and that they would put their marriage and any children first.
• Pray for the whole of professional sports - athletes, coaches, chaplains, sponsors, sports commentators, media, supporters and families - that it will be used as a medium to teach ethics, responsibility, and good values. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
• Pray that those who take part in sport refuse to portray anything that dishonours God or their marriage. Pray for those athletes who have taken that stand and been vilified for so doing. Pray that they would continue to stand for righteousness, and remain supported by their families. Philippians 4:19