The umbrella organisation pulling together evangelistic efforts for the London 2012 Olympics has just embarked on its last church training tour before the big event begins in just a few months. More than Gold's nine-week tour will give churches in 15 cities a final heads up on effective engagement during the Games and the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The Get Set training days will give churches valuable advice on how to prepare high quality activities and serve their communities. Sessions will cover how to serve as lay chaplains at key transport hubs or as 'Games Pastors', how to run successful festivals and big screen events, and how to use the torch relay to engage with the community. The tour began in Sussex and in the coming weeks will visit Cardiff, Glasgow, Belfast as well as the English cities of Reading, Stoke, Bath, Gateshead, Barnsley, Weymouth, Bolton, Stevenage, Nottingham, plus three London venues.

Pray: that these training days will truly equip these Christian volunteers for the task.

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/churches.get.set.for.olympics.outreach/29276.htm

A church in Otley, Yorkshire, is celebrating the Olympic silver medal win by Lizzie Armitstead as she finished the Women’s Road Race on Sunday. She grew up in Otley and was in Junior Church at the Bridge United Reformed Church. She was also part of the Bridge Church Scout group. Her parents, John and Carol, are still members of the church, and her grandfather, the Rev Jeff Armitstead, is a retired URC minister. The congregation sent a card to Lizzie prior to her big race and sped home from Sunday worship to make sure they didn't miss her fantastic cycle road race. The church had planned a special ‘Sing Olympics’ for the evening worship and the mood was especially celebratory after Lizzie won Team GB's first medal of the London 2012 Games. Church Treasurer Andrew Howard said, ‘Many of the church members have known Lizzie since she was a baby, and have watched her progress over the years. We are all absolutely thrilled that one of our own has had such success.’

Pray: that Lizzie and other Christians living in the Olympic Village will shine and reveal the Light of Christ amongst their fellow Olympians. (Mat.5:14-15)

More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/church.celebrates.lizzie.armitsteads.olympic.win/30378.htm

Up to 9,000 Christians gathered at Leyton Orient Football Stadium last Saturday for a day of prayer and worship for the London Olympics. The stadium is located next to the newly completed Olympic Park, which in just a few weeks' time will welcome athletes and thousands of spectators from around the world for the London 2012 Games. Light the Fire is the only stadium event of its kind taking place in Britain this year that is dedicated solely to praying for the Olympics. The event is brought together Christians from different churches across London and the UK to pray that God's purposes will be achieved during the Games. They are also prayed that people will come to know God's love as a result of the church outreach that will take place during the Games. Project Director, Rosy Ashley said, ‘God has given the church in the nation an amazing opportunity to share His love with the thousands of visitors flocking to the capital.’

Pray: for ‘Light h Fire’ and let us all add to their prayers for the Olympics over the coming weeks. (1 Ch.16:31)

More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/christians.pray.ahead.of.london.olympics/29910.htm

The bullet wounds in his legs weren't more than an hour old when USC sprinter Bryshon Nellum asked doctors the only question that mattered to him at that momen:. 'Do you know if I'm going to be able to run again?' On Oct 31, 2008, a man Nellum didn't recognize jumped out of the passenger seat of a car, approached him and fired a shotgun as the sophomore walked home. Metal pellets ripped through both of Nellum's legs. Limping to the sidewalk he crumpled to the ground as the gunman and an accomplice sped away. The doctors told me, 'You'll be able to walk again but we don't think you'll ever have the world-class speed you had before.' Once I knew I was going to be able to walk, I told myself I was going to do whatever it takes. It took 44 months and three surgeries, but Nellum fulfilled that vow. He earned a spot on the US Olympic team with a stunning third-place finish in the finals of the 400 meters at the US Olympic trials.

Pray: that God will be glorified in Nellums life showing forth His miraculous healing power. (Ps.119:133)

More: http://bleacherreport.com/tb/d7Zhm?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=olympics

As the London Olympics came to a close, two Christian athletes were being honoured for acting out their faith in the world of sport. British rower Debbie Flood and decathlete Bryan Clay have been given the Eric Liddell Award. The award, which is named after the man made famous through the film Chariots of Fire, is to celebrate character and influence in the world of sports. The Team GB star was given the award after founding Creativity in Sport - an initiative aiming to give troubled youths a start in life. While the US former champion is recognised for his work starting up the Bryan Clay Foundation to help young people reach their potential. Bryan said ‘it's not easy to stay true to your faith in athletics.’ The awards were given out during the Legacy Breakfast which is an event put on by More than Gold, the group co-ordinating the Church's response to the Games.

Pray: for both athletes and their work outside sport; may it be an inspiration to others. (Matt.5:16)

More: http://www.premier.org.uk/news/current/Christian%20Olympians%20honoured.aspx

With Oscar Pistorius’ unexpected defeat in the men’s T44 200 metre race on Sunday night came an upsurge of interest in the technical side of the Paralympics, namely - do longer blades give the runner an advantage? Although Pistorius has always insisted that changing blades will not affect an athlete’s performance, what is evident is that the Paralympics - more so than the Olympics - are technology driven; the athletes rely on state of the art equipment to enable them to perform to the best of their ability. With this in mind, it is perhaps predictable but disappoining to hear that many Paralympians do not have access to the essential equipment that they need, or the funds to buy it. Through the Roof (www.throughtheroof.org), a Christian organization which donates wheelchairs and equipment to disabled people all around the world, has based itself in St John’s Church - right next to the Olympic park - to give away wheelchairs to Paralympians who need them.

Pray: for the work of Through the Roof and for the many people who have benefited from their gifts. (2Cor.4:15)

More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12090027.htm

Josh Davis is a swimmer who won three gold medals at Atlanta in 1996 and two more medals at the 2000 games. He is now a full-time motivational speaker, addressing secular and church audiences at least 70 times a year and has edited ‘The Goal and the Glory’. He was the only man at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games to win three gold medals. He travelsall over America telling people how great God is and reminds himself that even as his hard-earned Olympic medals are now dented and scratched from handling, God's Word is eternal. See http://www.christianpost.com/news/interview-olympic-gold-medalist-josh-davis-on-christian-athletes-the-games-and-michael-phelps-78742/#8WQwtMMH3q4iTBpw.99 Being a Christian in a secular club or team can be challenging and in the UK ‘Christians In Sport Network’ gives Christians the opportunity to find and link in with other Christians actively involved in their sport. There are currently 15 different men’s and women’s sports providing sport specific resources, training and events to help believers live and share their faith in their team or club.

Pray: for Christian sport initiatives and Christian athletes to shine during and after the Olympic season. (Heb.12:1,2)

More: http://www.christiansinsport.org.uk/networks.asp?section=25§ionTitle=Sport+Networks

Major sporting events such as World Cups and Olympic Games are often preceded by warnings about a rise in prostitution and sex trafficking as a result of the impending influx of spectators. The children’s charity Barnardo’s has warned hoteliers and bar staff near to the Olympic Park in Stratford to be on the lookout for any vulnerable youngsters during the Games, and has produced a leaflet to help those in the travel and hospitality industry to spot the signs of sexual exploitation. Barnardo’s has also called for better data collection of the crime to prevent children being abused during the next few weeks. Chief executive Anne Marie Carrie said, ‘With a huge influx of visitors to the capital everyone needs to play their part in spotting the signs that sexual exploitation is taking place. We must pull together to ensure that protection of vulnerable children is gold standard during the Olympics.’

Pray: for effective communications between the many agencies working to eliminate sex trafficking in our towns and cities. (Ps.17:13)

More: http://www.london24.com/news/crimeolympic_child_sex_trafficking_a_threat_says_charity_1_1453812

After the spectacular closing ceremony, the Bishop of Chelmsford praised the Olympic Games for the positive impact they are having on community life. The Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell welcomed the way in which the Olympics and the Paralympics, due to start in a few weeks, had regenerated a deprived area of East London, saying, ‘The vast and impressive buildings of the Olympic Park and the Olympic Village will indeed bring much needed regeneration. But I am beginning to wonder whether the Olympic legacy may bring a further change as well - a legacy of good will. ‘Last week I met a 17 year old who is on duty at Stansted airport every other morning. There is nothing very glamorous about this. But she wanted to be part of something bigger than herself. She is spending her summer welcoming strangers.’ Bishop Cottrell also said that many people had rediscovered a desire to celebrate with their neighbours through the Games.

Pray: for the volunteers who have learnt new skills and flair through serving the Olympics that they grow as they discover new ways to use and develop talents and gifts. (1Cor.12:4-6)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/bishop.hails.olympics.goodwill.legacy/30461.htm

The following is an excerpt from Athletes in Action report on the prayer effort during the Olympic Games: 'Now that the Olympic Games are under way, we hope all of you are enjoying being able to pray for the 10,500 competing athletes BY NAME on a regular basis. We have heard so many great comments from many of you about how you are using this as a learning experience for your children, praying as a family or using the names with Sunday school classes. We're so blessed not only to have you help us cover these athletes with prayer but also that you are so EXCITED about doing it! It makes all the work worth it! You might want to check out some of our stories on Olympians of Faith and pass these along to friends. Gives you someone to cheer for who loves God and is competing for His glory alone! You'll find those stories on this list with live links'.

Pray: that the testimonies of Olympians of faith will bless all those that they come into contact with. (1Cor.2:1)

More: http://www.athletesinaction.org/news/post/2012/07/17/Olympians-of-Faith-Features-Spotlight-Christian-Athletes-in-London-2012.aspx?utm_source=Constant%2BContact&utm_medium=Email%2BCC&utm_campaign=OLYMPIC2012