7 DAYS OF PRAYER
DAY 1: YOUTH God has given us the powerful tool of sports to share His love with young people all around the world, offering them a hope found only in Jesus Christ. We praise God for the more than 200,000 youth who are currently involved in weekly ministries with a Sports Friends-trained coach! Pray that God would prepare many young people s hearts to hear the gospel, and grow as mature disciples of Jesus. Many come from places where they have never heard the name of Jesus. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
DAY 2: FAMILIES Young people are often catalysts for transformation in the lives of their families and communities. Sadly, some families also oppose the decisions that their children make to follow Jesus. Pray that families would recognize the positive impact of sports ministry in their children s lives and be open to hearing the Good News for themselves. But Jesus called the children to him and said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Luke 18:16
DAY 3: COACHES Sports Friends ministry is built around more than 9,000 godly coaches who pour their lives into the young people on their teams. They love them, pray for them, get to know their families, share with them the truths of God s Word, and connect them to the fellowship of the local church. Pray that coaches would find favor in their communities and be beacons of hope! Pray that they would have boldness to share the gospel, determination to keep going, and a passion for discipling the youth on their teams. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5: 14-16
DAY 4: CHURCH LEADERS & PASTORS We serve and partner with local churches, believing that God s primary means of relating to and transforming the world is His Church. Pray for the church leaders and pastors that we work with around the world, in particular those who are facing persecution. Pray that they would catch the vision of sports ministry as a powerful platform for reaching out to those living and dying without Christ. And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Matthew 28:18-20
DAY 5: STAFF & MISSIONARIES 34 national staff and 31 missionaries are currently serving with Sports Friends in 13 countries all around the world; sharing the vision of sports ministry with local churches, training Christian leaders, equipping coaches, and developing leadership capacity. Pray for our staff and missionaries, that God would empower them to serve faithfully and effectively, and pray that the Lord would add more workers for His harvest and fill the many openings we have to serve with Sports Friends around the world. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5
DAY 6: SUPPORTERS We are so thankful for all those who prayerfully and financially support Sports Friends. Without your partnership this ministry would not be possible. Thank you for the role you play in spreading hope and love to youth, their families, and communities! Praise God for all those who faithfully support the Sports Friends ministry and enable it to continue. Pray that the Lord would raise up additional partners to support our continuing growth. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalms 105:4
DAY 7: GOD As a ministry, and individually, we acknowledge our total dependence on God. In faith, we humbly rely on God for the provision of all our needs. Join us in reflecting on God s wonderful provision and grace for the Sports Friends ministry over the years. We give praise and glory to Him for all that He has accomplished! Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 1 Chronicles 29:11