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Ephesians 4:3   NIV
‘Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace’.

Gracious God, today we give thanks for the joy of sport and pray for all those gathered for the Olympic games as the opening ceremony takes place. We pray for the athletes and their coaches who have spent countless hours in training, perfecting their skills, their strength and their endurance. We pray for their families, unable to travel to Tokyo to support their loved ones because of Covid. We pray for all the adjudicators and marshalls who will ensure fair play. So too, we pray for all those behind the scenes involved in the logistics of the event, those looking after others through hospitality, administration or medical care. Lord God, we have already seen how some competitors have contracted covid and so we ask for Your safety and protection for all Olympians, and those gathered in the Olympic villages. We give thanks for the Olympic motto, ‘Stronger Together’. As countries across the world unite in the name of sport, may unity, mutual respect and compassion for one another be at the very core of global relationships. May Your love infiltrate every corner of our world. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.