Praying for Bedford and the UK

1. Praying for Bedford and the UK A prayer resource for churches

2. A time to celebrate Many significant events in Biblical history happened when the Jewish nation gathered to celebrate. God often chose this time to speak to His people. Although the nation gathering to watch the Olympics is not quite the same, it is still a time when God can speak to His people, as we experience a Significant moment in British history. We get to shape this celebration in prayer, so let’s be expectant in our faith and specific in our requests (Matthew 21:21-22).

3. A time to win The arrival of the Games signals an increased interest in all things sporting. In school PE lessons, in sports clubs, in training gyms up and down the land, the Games will provide the motivation to spur people on to greater heights of physical stamina. Whether it’s just about healthy living and getting fit, or competing to win at something, more and more emphasis will be put on sport and recreation over the coming months.

4. The Apostle Paul challenges his readers to think about what kind of winning matters. As they watch the races between world-class athletes, as they hone their own bodies to be fit and healthy, what goal are they really pursuing? What prize do they most want to win? Is it man’s or is it God’s? As the nation goes ‘sport crazy’, we, as the Church have the responsibility of challenging people to think about the eternal score-board. And of praying that the Games will cause people to ask deeper questions about their lives.

5. A time to welcome Thousands will visit our shores for the Games; not just the competitors, but their trainers, their support teams, their families, the dignitaries from their nations, and, of course, the spectators. We have the privilege of being hosts for the biggest party in years! Throughout the Old Testament we find God instructing the Israelites to be hospitable. He makes it clear that, having chosen them out of the nations to be his own, he expects them to extend his welcome and kindness to those around them. Let’s start the welcome by praying for them regularly, even before they’ve set foot in our land.

6. A time to pray ‘As the Flame travels’: a cascade of prayer for 70 days during the Olympic Torch Relay (18th May – 27th July); prayer events in main flame lighting cities and 24 hour prayer relay during the Paralympic Torch Relay (24th – 29th August) ‘At the Games’: prayer throughout both Olympic and Paralympic Games, 27th July – 9th September ‘Forever’: celebrating what God has done and praying that the light of Christ will shine even brighter across this nation in the years to come

7. Prayer Pointers Planning Planning and delivery of the games, Seb Coe: professional organisations, athletes, churches Places Venues & training sites, Live sites, torch sites, more than gold sites Participants Athletes, coaches, churches Power To speak the love of Christ, to intercede for others

8. Prayer Pointers Purpose Evangelism, the legacy the Games will leave Social Justice Homelessness, Human Trafficking and Prostitution, Fair Trade, The Environment 100 days of peace Security Of venues and all involved

9. Prayer for the 2012 Games Father God, I offer myself to you now and thank you for your heart of grace, open to receive my prayers. I need to bring to you people around the world who at this moment are preparing for this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games. Please protect each one with your Spirit’s power, and encourage every individual to enter into the events of 2012 with a spirit of unity and peace. I pray for those who are working to prepare Olympic venues in the UK, that they may know they are investing their talents and energy into that which is potentially life changing.

10. I pray for the organisers of the Games, at every level, that they will display integrity in every area of their work to every nation taking part. I pray for the security of the athletes and the venues. Please cover everything and everyone with your protection and power. I pray for the athletes as they prepare themselves physically and mentally, and seek to achieve their best performance. I pray for the Church in the UK as we mobilise ourselves to lead the community in celebration. Father, give us faith to take hold of this amazing opportunity to build your Kingdom. Thank you for my faith, which is worth MORE THAN GOLD, and enable me to engage with the 2012 Games through prayer. Amen

11. Prayer for those engaged in mission and service during the Olympics 2012 Lord, Help us to be as single minded and focused as the athlete at the starting line Help us to persevere like the athlete hitting the final circuit of the track Help us to find in you the strength we need to reach that winning line Forgive us when our focus is on others rather than on you and your Kingdom, when we are too easily diverted from the path you have set before us, and when we trust in our own strength rather than the power and strength of your Spirit

12. Fill us now with your Holy Spirit and empower us to serve you; And help us to run the race for your glory alone. Send us out that we might see your Kingdom come and lives transformed. In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

13. Thank You Thank you for praying for More Than Gold and the Olympics We will meet every last Tuesday of the month for prayer – 7.30pm at RP If you have any specific items for prayer please e-mail Vivien: vandmcriddle@hotmail.com, putting More than Gold in the subject line.