Heavenly Father,
The University of Arizona Football has suffered for more than a little while; may this be the year that you restore us and make our team strong, firm, and steadfast. Put your law in our players' hearts so that their feet will not slip, and command your angels to guard them in all their ways. May they be on their guard, stand firm in the faith, be men of courage, and be strong. (1 Peter 5:10, Psalm 37:31, Psalm 91:11, and 1 Corinthians 16:13).
I know, I know.
Some of you are saying it's not fair to pray for one team over another. I get that. Plus, I have two Hokie sons-in-law, and I really should show them some love. And so, in the interest of keeping things on the level, here's a Friday Prayer for the other guys:
Heavenly Father,
You are the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. If the Tech folks feel sad, or even devastated, after tomorrow's game, may your unfailing love be their comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3, Psalm 119:76)
Amen.
Dear Lord,
Father in Heaven, I give You my team,
And ask that You make us as one.
One in rhythm, one in heart, as we each play our part,
Together to get the job done.
Father in Heaven, I lay down my hopes,
And ask that You lead us today.
Come bring out the best in each player we have,
To respond to each moment of play.
Father in Heaven, bless us we pray,
We've trained hard and worked to be here.
Come give us Your strength, in attack and defence,
With You there is nothing to fear.
Amen.
Our Father in heaven,
Thank you for the privilege of training this team. I thank you for each player and all the great talents you have given them. Watch over them now as they compete today. Protect them from injury and fill them with strength and courage as they give of their best.
Amen.
Dear Lord God,
Thank you for all the gifts you have given us. Help us to enter into this event with love, wisdom and strength in our hearts. We pray that we would look to you in awe and worship. May we put into practice all that we have learnt in our training, and bring to mind all the skills and planning from our preparation times. May each of us be aware of your goodness in our lives, and may this goodness pour out of us as a witness to your endless grace. You Lord are our inspiration, our teacher and our protector.
Our trust is in you today and always.
Amen.
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, who played the cosmos into being, please help England rediscover their legs, their eyes and their hunger: that they might run more clearly, pass more nearly and enjoy the game more dearly. Amen.
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.
God our Father, help us to put forth our best effort, to represent our school with class, to respect our opponents, and to grow as disciples of your Son, Jesus. Keep us safe from injury and harm. Help us to conduct ourselves as you would, with grace and kindness. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.