As Athletes in Action prepares for multiple outreach opportunities during the 2012 London Olympic Games, the organization not only has requested general prayer for the Road2London Olympic Project, but also has begun enlisting prayer partners to pray for athletes by name.
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Tourists in the background snap photos of Olympic Park from a viewing deck in Westfield Shopping Centre. The viewing deck, along with the shop selling Olympics souvenirs such as the stuffed mascot Wenlock, was built especially for the 2012 Olympics. (BP PHOTO/International Mission Board)
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"I wanted to break it down into specific names that we can send to a person," said John Klein, coordinator for this year's Olympic project. "Ideally, we would have about four people to pray for daily."
About 12,000 athletes competed at the last Olympics, and if the same number participate in London, Athletes in Action will need 3,000 people to handle the prayer duties at four athletes each, Klein said. With the games beginning July 27, the organization hopes to have all the partners in place by mid-July with names assigned.
Prayer partners will receive the names of athletes, the country and sport in which they are competing and any other pertinent information that might help them pray specifically. Bible verses and specific dates of competition will help provide focus to prayer efforts.
In addition to the thousands praying for Olympic athletes by name, Athletes in Action will deploy about 180 people at the London Games, ministering at the Olympic Village as chaplains or in other ministry roles throughout the competition venues and surrounding community.
To participate as an Olympic prayer partner, either:
• Log onto the AIA Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/athletesinaction and enter as "Going" to the event called "Olympic Prayer Partners."
• Visit the AIA Website http://olympics.athletesinaction.org and click on the "Prayer Strategy" box.
• Email [email protected].
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