Christians in Sport is launching a new prayer initiative to help sportspeople to keep engaging gospel work druing the coronavirus lockdown. Almost all sporting activities have been canceled or postponed due to the spread of covid-19 and, as such, many of the ministry opportunities that present themselves through the playing of sport have been temporarily placed on hold.
According to Christians in Sport, however, restrictions to the amount of sport we can play doesn't mean that gospel-sharing activities should be axed.
"Today in this unique and challenging season charity Christians in Sport is calling on Christian sportspeople all over the world to reach out and keep investing in the lives of their sports friends even though sport has been cancelled," the charity said in a press release, announcing the launch of their new prayer initiative: "PraySTAYSay".
The campaign is aimed at helping Christian sportspeople "stay faithful during this break in play by staying prayerful for the world of sport; staying intentional in sharing life with sports friends; and staying focused on saying and sharing the hope we have in Jesus".
Graham Daniels, General Director of Christians in Sport said: “The work of Christians in Sport is more essential now than ever. Sportspeople - whether it’s the 10 million amateurs who compete every week or those playing at an elite level - are in limbo, struggling with what's going on and asking big questions. For 40 years we have existed to reach the world of sport for Christ - equipping Christian sportspeople to live and speak for Jesus - just because sport is off, the mission is not. We sense a real opportunity and a need for people to stick in the lives of their team-mates.
“There is then also lots of activity going on internally with our support of elite athletes. We support 500 top level sportspeople around the world. In light of the Coronavirus we have more opportunities than ever. Last week one morning we had a Zoom bible study with 20 top level (Premiership down) managers and coaches and the same is happening in top level athletics, tennis and rugby. We want to encourage as many Christian sportspeople as possible that this is an crucial time to share the hope, joy, meaning and purpose they have found in Christ with their colleagues and friends in sport.”