• Welcome everyone and particularly any newcomers this week.
• Remind each other of the vision of CIS and the purpose of the weekly group meeting. (Consider using CIS videos and resources to keep this fresh each week).

1. In pairs look back on your week of sport and discuss how last week’s group meeting helped you. Follow up with anything people asked for prayer about.
2. In pairs share prayer points for the week of sport ahead and spend time praying for each other.

Some weeks pray more widely for other clubs and teams in your university which are not represented in the group. Alternatively, you can also use the CIS prayer diary to pray for the whole mission of CIS.

You might also want to use this slot to discuss and plan your evangelistic event for the term and pray specifically about it.

Week 7 | Persistently praying for our sports friends

Introduction

As Christian students worshipping and witnessing in our sports club this session will remind us of how important it is to keep praying.

Read

Read Luke 18:1-8

Reflect

When can we be tempted to give up praying for someone or for a particular situation?

Explain

We all know that in sport the best results come over time. One gym session will not necessarily make you stronger, one hill sprint won’t make you quicker. But go to the gym three times a week for three months, and then you’ll start to see some gains. We know that persistence and perseverance is key in sport, therefore with the Holy Spirits help we can come to prayer with the same attitude and conviction.

Jesus illustrates this idea in the story of the persistent widow. She goes to the judge every day to plead her case until finally the judge ‘gives in’. But notice how different the judge is in this story compared to what we know about God. The judge is harsh, unloving and unjust. In contrast the Bible presents to us a God who is kind, loving and just, and he cares deeply for our sports friends and wants them to come to know him.

Knowing God’s character can motivate us to pray for our sports friends all the more. Though it’s hard to keep going, and it feels like our prayers aren’t working we can remain patient and hopeful as we come to God each day and pray for our sports friends, knowing that he hears our prayers and will use them to bring about his will.

Discuss

1. How does knowing God’s character help you approach him persistently in prayer?
2. How often do you pray for your sports friends? What can you put in place which helps you to keep praying?
3. Who can you commit to praying for everyday this week?

Pray

• Praise God that he is kind, loving and just.
• Thank God that we can come to him regularly in prayer and trust him.
• Pray for 3 people in your team that they will come to know Jesus for themselves.

Update everyone on the key messages for the week. These might include:

• Sharing the student sign up link
• Promoting your evangelistic event for the term
• Plugging New Year Training
• Reminding people about carol services and other events the group can make use of.

Share these resources with your group at the end or immediately after the meeting to encourage them.

Listen

Should I have reservations about sports psychology?

Watch

How do I pray for my sports friends? | Three tips to help you pray for your teammates

Read

Should I pray to win?