Bishop Gregory's Olympic Prayer
Lord God, in the gifts of creation you give us strength and power and the will to excel.
We seek your blessing on the London Olympic and Paralympic Games this year.
May they be a time when nations come together in harmony, when we celebrate all that can be achieved by physical and mental application and in human co-operation.
Grant that as the athlete strives for excellence, so we may be inspired in the spiritual race you set before us and strive the win the prize offered through the grace revealed in Christ.
Amen.
Welcoming the olympics
All the Bells
Churches across the UK joined together on the first day of the Olympics by ringing their church bells to welcome the games.
At 8.12am on Friday 27 July LOCOG – the Olympic organisers – encouraged churches to ring their bells for three minutes as part of a special commission by the Turner Prize-winning artist and musician Martin Creed.
It was called “All the Bells” and in the Diocese of St Asaph parishes in Prestatyn and Bistre were among those who took part. Bistre prayed the prayer written by Bishop Gregory before ringing their bells.
You can view our YouTube video from Prestatyn taking part in "All the Bells" here.
The chance to get involved in “All the Bells” came on the final day of a 70-day Prayer Relay organised by “More Than Gold” – an organisation equipping Christians to get involved in the Games. Batons containing prayers have been handed over from community to community as the relay has followed the Olympic Torch around the UK. Individuals and churches have taken time to pray for the Games and those involved as well as their own communities as this relay has passed through.
Don’t forget Bishop Gregory has written a special prayer for the Olympics and the Paralympics – you can see it on the right.