World Cup Prayers and European Teams

The Church of England has prepared prayers for the upcoming World Cup tournament in South Africa! They were written by the Bishop of Croydon in association with the Revd Peter Moger, the National Worship Development Officer, and are for personal use or for use during church services.

I am pleased to see that they are sufficiently neutral in wording to be able to be used in this diocese in Europe, since, alongside England, the following European countries will be competing: Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland.

There are three prayers, including one "for those who are not particularly interested in the World Cup", which is no-one in our diocese, of course!


Lord of all the nations, who played the cosmos into being,
guide, guard and protect all who work or play in the World Cup.
May all find in this competition a source of celebration,
an experience of common humanity and
a growing attitude of generous sportsmanship to others.
Amen.

God of the nations, who has always called his people to be a blessing for the world,
bless all who take part in the World Cup.
Smile on South Africa in her hosting,
on the nations represented in competition and
on those who travel to join in the party.
Amen.

A prayer for those simply not interested:
Lord, as all around are gripped with World Cup fever,
bless us with understanding,
strengthen us with patience and
grant us the gift of sympathy if needed.
Amen.

Comments

  1. Maurice Francois25 May 2010 at 12:58

    Querido EuroBishop, y quien ora por los equipos de Latino America? Hay que incluir in rito penitencial para las Tarjetas Rojas y Amarillas. Que te parece? A todo esto, excelente el blog. Maurice Francois

    ReplyDelete
  2. David Hamid25 May 2010 at 23:42

    Querido Maurice
    Que bueno recibir tu comentario. Puede ser que los equipos latinoamericanos no necesiten oraciones, pero los europeos si!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous4 June 2010 at 09:59

    Pienso que quienes mas necesiten oraciones y plegarias en el ambito del futbol son los equipos norteamericanos del EEU y del Canada. Los europeos estamos lo bastante unidos para poder pedir a tosantos que nos bendizcan y nos guien a la victoria, Dios mediante.

    ReplyDelete

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