Since the opening ceremony in Rio, there have been countless reports about the deep faith practiced by a number of American Olympians.
Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, Aly Raisman, Steele Johnson, David Boudia, and many others have been forthright about their religion and the role it plays in how they compete — and how they win or lose.
Prayer keeps these athletes grounded and focused on the essentials.
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), based in Kansas City, Missouri, works with faith-minded athletes all year long and from all types of athletic backgrounds, helping them grow in their faith and in their individual sports.
Because of the dedication, will power, and hard work it takes to succeed in the athletic world, faith and sports often go hand in hand. Many Olympic athletes lean on their faith during one of the most difficult and pressure-filled events of their lives. Prayer keeps them grounded and focused on what’s essential.
A number of Olympic athletes are directly affiliated with the FCA — and in honor of the Games, the organization released an official prayer guide for the athletes and those supporting them. The guide has been used during these Rio Games. The “FCA Road to Gold Devotional” contains passages from scripture as well as prayers for those competing in the Olympics.
“Several Olympic athletes contributed to this five-day ‘Road to Gold’ devotional, which can be started at any time during the Games,” Clay Meyer, editor of FCA Magazine, told LifeZette in an email.
The site that displays the devotional reads: “Join FCA on a 5-day reading plan highlighting devotions from Olympic hopefuls and champions. The plan includes extra scripture readings and suggested prayers. We would like to thank the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for providing this plan.”
Related: Gold Medal Favorite Puts Faith First
For many athletes, prayer has long been an integral part of their training and preparation for the Games.
“FCA’s ‘Road to Gold’ devotional helps all of us who are watching the Summer Games to read along with the same passages that some of these amazing athletes may be reading as well,” Meyer added.
This devotional mirrors the unity and positive competitive spirit associated with the Olympics. It’s an event that every two years brings each nation — and the world — together.
“They are applying these powerful verses to their competition in Rio, but we can apply them to our own lives as well,” Meyer also said. “That’s what’s so wonderful about God’s word — He provides wisdom for all of us in all things, during the wins and the losses, in the ups and downs.”
Another initiative the FCA has organized is the “Road to Gold” Prayer Guide, a 31-day guide for the Games. This prayer guide is for everyone, from coaches, to athletes, to even spectators watching at home.
Related: Simone Biles: A Gold Medal, Humility and Sportsmanship
The FCA has invited everyone to “join us in prayer for 31 days in August to pray for the 2016 Olympics. More than 10,000 Olympian athletes and coaches from all nations [have gathered] to compete. FCA desires to support these Olympians, the Olympic Committee, and Brazil through prayer. Use the 31-Day ‘Road to Gold’ Prayer Guide to help you intercede for the 2016 Olympics.”
With the concerns about Zika in Rio, about potential injuries during the competition, and about the safety of everyone traveling — there are many reasons to pray.
These prayer initiatives are another manifestation of what the Olympics are all about. Every two years, the summer or winter Olympic Games are a witness to superior athleticism and accomplishment from around the world, as teams, families and fans cheer on their athletes. The prayer guide, in the same spirit of working toward achievement and the greater good, offers strength, comfort and unity.
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