Church of England World Cup Prayers

You can find them here.

Prayer 1
A Prayer for the World Cup

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.

“Who played the cosmos into being”? Seriously? I’d only just cleaned out the bucket after the “FIFA doves for world peace” last night.

Prayer 2
A Prayer for Brazil

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 Brazil in her hosting,
on the nations represented in competition and on those who travel to join in the party.
Amen.

Spot on. Tick.

Prayer 3
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.

Seriously? Oh dear….

Prayer 4
Prayers for the England Football team

“Oh God…”

And in two little words with added punctuation Bishop Nick Baines utterly redeems himself.

And then goes and throws it all away again (a bit like an England penalty shoot out actually).

Prayer 5

“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.”

(Based on The Prayer commemorating Richard, Bishop of Chichester in 1253 and used by the Church of England on 16 June each year)

It’s that bloody “played the cosmos into being” again. Where’s my second bucket?