"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning, but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering, but fighting well."
So said Pierre de Coubertin, the French educator, partly responsible for the revival of the Olympics in 1894.
Well, this evening at 9 p.m. British Summer Time, the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games direct from London will commence, and millions of people will be watching it all round the world. This is quite a momentous event for our country, following close behind all the Jubilee Celebrations that took place only a short while ago.
We have had problems (as one of the American presidential candidates pointed out on the television news last night - and, yes, that's you I'm talking about, Mitt Romney! Apparently, he thinks that we're not ready for the Olympics. Well, if we're not ready now, it's all going to be a bit of a disaster!), but, hopefully, all those are behind us now and we will present a great spectacle to the rest of the world.
I think that most of us in the United Kingdom are praying that everything will go well, and that it will be an uplifting event for everyone. Certainly I wish all the competitors the very best of luck in all their respective events. I'm sure world records will be broken and we will all be willing on the country of our choice.
The Olympic Games celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship. The Games are also a medium to spread the message of unity and peace. I will leave you with some images of the 2012 London Olympic Games courtesy of Pinterest.
Well, this evening at 9 p.m. British Summer Time, the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games direct from London will commence, and millions of people will be watching it all round the world. This is quite a momentous event for our country, following close behind all the Jubilee Celebrations that took place only a short while ago.
We have had problems (as one of the American presidential candidates pointed out on the television news last night - and, yes, that's you I'm talking about, Mitt Romney! Apparently, he thinks that we're not ready for the Olympics. Well, if we're not ready now, it's all going to be a bit of a disaster!), but, hopefully, all those are behind us now and we will present a great spectacle to the rest of the world.
I think that most of us in the United Kingdom are praying that everything will go well, and that it will be an uplifting event for everyone. Certainly I wish all the competitors the very best of luck in all their respective events. I'm sure world records will be broken and we will all be willing on the country of our choice.
The Olympic Games celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship. The Games are also a medium to spread the message of unity and peace. I will leave you with some images of the 2012 London Olympic Games courtesy of Pinterest.
A prayer in preparation for the 2012 Games.
Eternal God,
Giver of joy and source of all strength,
we pray for those
who prepare for the London Olympic and Paralympic games.
For the competitors training for the Games and their loved ones,
For the many thousands who will support them,
And for the Churches and others who are organising special events and who will welcome many people from many nations.
In a world where many are rejected and abused,
we pray for a spirit
of tolerance and acceptance, of humility and respect
and for the health and safety of all.
May we at the last be led towards the love of Christ who is more than gold, today and forever. Amen.
Eternal God,
Giver of joy and source of all strength,
we pray for those
who prepare for the London Olympic and Paralympic games.
For the competitors training for the Games and their loved ones,
For the many thousands who will support them,
And for the Churches and others who are organising special events and who will welcome many people from many nations.
In a world where many are rejected and abused,
we pray for a spirit
of tolerance and acceptance, of humility and respect
and for the health and safety of all.
May we at the last be led towards the love of Christ who is more than gold, today and forever. Amen.
