Prayer Calendar - December

December - Sport and Recreation

(Prepared by Bjorn Schmid)

Sport and Recreation may appear to be a simple sphere of influence and lack much depth, but it is a complex area with a lot of vested interests competing for the rights and finances to support human wellbeing and (relatively) safe competitive challenges.

"Sport is part of the Australian way of life. It builds communities, teaches life skills such as teamwork and leadership and encourages a healthy and active lifestyle."
(from the Australian Sports Foundation website - https://asf.org.au/)

NSW Office of Sport - Sport and Recreation

From sportandrecreation.nsw.gov.au

At our core, we believe sport and recreation is for everyone and we make this possible through increased opportunities for people with disabilities, women, seniors, youth at risk and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Each year we provide millions in government grants to nurture sporting talent, help build sport facilities and develop the industry as a whole. We also regulate the combat sports (link is external) and motor sport industries.

In every way, Sport and Recreation plays a vital role in supporting and facilitating sport and recreation for the people of NSW. Our continued commitment and vision of making sport and recreation accessible to all is simple: more people, more active, more often.

Department of Health - Sport

From www.health.gov.au/.../sports-home

The Australia Government is committed to supporting sport in Australia from grassroots to elite; increasing participation in physical and recreational activities to promote physical and mental health; staging world class major sporting events; and utilising sport as a vehicle to address disadvantage and social inclusion challenges.

National Integrity of Sport Unit

The Australian Government has established the National Integrity of Sport Unit to provide national oversight, monitoring and coordination of efforts to protect the integrity of sport in Australia from threats of doping, match-fixing and other forms of corruption.

Daily Prayer in December

Pray for The Hon Sussan Ley MP - Minister for Health, Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Sport, for the federal Department of Health which has responsibility for Sport, and for the National Integrity of Sport Unit. Pray that the direction and actions of these national government gatekeepers and organisations will be God-led, have integrity, and protect Godly values.
(Substitute your own state where appropriate)
Pray for the NSW Minister for Sport, The Hon. Stuart Laurence Ayres MP - Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, and Minister for Sport, and for the Office of Sport - Sport and Recreation. Pray that the direction and actions of these will be led using God's wisdom, be free from corruption, and provide funding only for wholesome activities that are a genuine benefit to the wellbeing of all people in NSW.
Pray for Sport & Recreation facilities, government and private across NSW. Pray for the management and directorships over these locations; where many people gather to participate in and observe. Pray that uses of the locations for wholesome events will be encourages and have favour, and that unclean uses will be denied.
Pray for the Sydney Academy of Sport, the Australian Sports Academy and other similar places where young people are encouraged and developed in health lifestyles and sports careers - pray that they are kept clean of drugs and anti-Christ teaching, and pray for the inspiration of staff to see the value of and adopt biblical principles.
Pray for the National Parks and Places of Interest (including the National Parks and Wildlife Service), Historic towns and localities, that they will be well maintained, safe and healthy places for adults and children to visit and enjoy. Pray for favour for Christian businesses and outreach initiatives (like coffee shops, rest places and prayer rooms).
Pray for camp and event venues, parks and reserves, particularly those in remote and secluded locations. Pray that these places are kept free from predatory and murderous spirits who seek to influence people to harm or abuse others, and pray for the peace of the Holy Spirit to rest on these places so that visitors and staff can not help themselves from thinking about reconciling with their Creator God - rest and relaxation indeed!
Pray for organisers, teachers and parents involved with School holiday programs and term time programs, particularly for programs such as "Small Schools Week" that seek to give opportunities to students are less advantaged. Pray for generous funding, wise counsel, and freedom from anti-Christian agendas.
Pray for existing and an increase in programs supporting disability and disadvantaged, for people with disability, people who live in remote areas.
Pray for swimming programmes - that teach children and adults essential skills to survive in the water. Pray for the life guards and other staff whose job it is to rescue people who get into difficulties.
Pray for the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games - pray in particular that the huge influence of sponsor funding is blocked from corrupting the OC members into unfair or biased decisions. Pray for a reshaping of the games into something that glorifies God instead of palely reflecting ancient Greek polytheistic attitudes.
Similarly pray for the Australian Commonwealth Games Association and associated bodies. Pray that the Commonwealth Games builds up relations between Commonwealth member nations and is not used to create unfair advantage or divisions.
Pray for the participants in international competitions - pray that our Australian competitors will come into a bold relationship with God, be successful in their sport, and acknowledge Him publicly as important in their lives.
Pray for the participants in school competitions - pray that these events are uplifting occasions and not user to further LGBT and anti-Christ agendas.
Community group and Corporate programs - pray for integrity and fair sportsmanship in these events, and pray for the gospel of Christ to find its way into every occasion through His people involved.
Individual Sports Clubs & Associations, e.g. golf, squash, tennis, etc. - pray that sportspeople are humble and do not put themselves or other people on a pedestal above God, but come to know and acknowledge Him to many.
Team Sports Clubs & Associations, e.g. rugby, soccer, hockey, basketball, etc. - pray for Godly people to become embedded in these teams and support staff as a witness of Christ's love and wisdom to all those around them.
Vehicle Sports Clubs & Associations; motor, drag racing, motor cycle, glider, aeroplane, power boats, sailing boats, etc. - pray for the defeat of people's tendency to worship mans' creations above his own creator, and for God to raise people who worship Him in their words and actions across the industry.
Martial and Physical Arts Clubs & Associations; karate, Tai Kwan Do, judo, kendo, jujitsu, muscle building - pray for the worship of man's body to be subjected to honouring God above all. Pray that more Christian people in this field will speak out about their faith in Christ from their experiences.
Animal Racing Clubs & Associations; in particular greyhound and horse racing - pray for integrity and removal of cruel practices across the sector, pray for the defeat of the worship of wealth and for God to shine in His people involved there.
Pray for Board and Card Games Clubs & Associations; chess, dungeons & dragons, chequers/draughts, bridge and for collectors clubs.
Shooting clubs, associations, ranges and suppliers (including paintball and archery) - pray for the gatekeepers in these sports to be equipped, empowered and watchful to detect inappropriate uses, and pray for members who have unhealthy intentions to be turn away or removed from participating. Pray for the spirit of power or undue influence over others to be defeated.
Pray for people who gamble for entertainment; that they will not be sucked into a life of wasteful craving after easy riches, and pray for the release through Christ of those who are already addicted to gambling and those who are reaching out to them. Pray also for the families of gamblers.
Pray for Cinemas, Theatres, Music Halls and Opera Houses to be rewarded for staging wholesome and pro-Christ events so that they are encouraged to support the organisers of such and not block them.
Virtual Entertainment (Games and Fantasy Worlds), Internet and gaming cafes - pray that the people who play these games enjoy them just as fun and not become obsessed with them as a replacement for life, particularly life in Christ. Pray for Christians who pay these games to be able to minister to others who need God.
Peace on Earth, Goodwill to all men as we again celebrate the birth of Christ - pray that people will be drawn to church in record numbers and acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
Pray for the participants in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, their safety and for them to give their trust over to God rather than relying only on men.
Travelling/Tourism (including foreign visitors and local hosts) - pray for their safety and well-being, and pray that God will use their travels to reveal Himself to them.
Pray that Accommodation providers are kept honest and refuse to remove from their facility the Gideon bibles given to them freely.
Pray for the physical and moral safety of visitors and staff at Amusement parks, Hotels, Bars and Clubs. Pray for Christian staff to be promoted into positions to pray for people and influence decisions.
Pray for Libraries (fixed and mobile) and Book Clubs to not exclude bibles and Christian testimony.
Pray for the many generous individuals and groups who sponsor people and fund facilities for Sport and Recreation. Pray that the funding is given from a good heart and without string attached, and that the funding is not wasted on things that are anti-Christ.

See also the Prayer Strategy for the Spheres of Influence www.prayerstrategy.org

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