He’s not Catholic, but Tim Tebow has generated a lot of controversy by publicly praying at sporting events. Even I know that, and I know nothing about sports.
Praying at sporting events has been around for a long time. I remember being incredulous when I first heard about it, years and years ago (possibly even before I was Christian). I was assuming, as do many people, that the athletes were praying for victory, asking God to take the side of their sports team, which is preposterous.
But a new light was cast on it when I learned that many of those praying were not asking for victory but that all would play well and safely, that nobody would get hurt.
As Emily Litella would say, “Well! That’s different!”
I don’t know whether Tim Tebow has shared what he prays for at sporting events. Sorry; it’s that whole “I don’t know about sports” thing. But I do happen to know a good bit about the Church, and I happen to know something that sheds a good bit of light on what a Catholic might want to think regarding praying at sporting events.
It is this: The Church has an official blessing for athletic events.
Really!
It’s found in the Roman Ritual (an official book of Church rituals, as the name suggests), and it is published in English in the Book of Blessings (you can find it on pages 437-438 of the current edition).
The introduction to it explains:
1024 This blessing is intended for those who participate in an athletic event. The blessing asks that God may protect the athletes from injury and that throughout the event they may show respect for one another.
1025 The blessing may be given by a priest, deacon, or lay minister.
The blessing includes an athletically-themed Scripture reading (2 Timothy 4:6-8) and a prayer over the athletes.
According to the text:
1029 A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessing with hands outstretched over the athletes; a lay minister says the prayer with hands joined.
Here is the actual text of the prayer:
Strong and faithful God,
as we come together for this contest,
we ask you to bless these athletes.Keep them safe from injury and harm,
instill in them respect for each other,
and reward them for their perseverance.Lead us all to the rewards of your kingdom
where you live and reign for ever and ever.Response: Amen.
Non-sports fan though I am, I could imagine the prayer going even further, by asking God to help the athletes glorify him by doing their best in the contest, but this still sheds light on what a Catholic might think about praying at sporting events. It acknowledges that prayer at such events is legitimate, and it gives an example of the kind of prayer that is appropriate.
As always, official prayers of blessing do not preclude individual, private prayers like those Tim Tebow is conducting. They are fine, too, provided their content is worthy.
Regardless of whether you personally are a sports fan or not . . .
What do you think?
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LOVE IT! :)
that’s a beautiful prayer!
I think it’s wonderful. Thanks for posting!
Oh, how I wish Catholic athletes would cross themselves….
Perhaps we need a Catholic touchdown celebration. Maybe something like St. Michael thrusting the demons back into Hell?
Great Article Jimmy. If you want to hear what Tim Tebow prays about, check out the video of when he was mic’d up against the Chicago Bears. They catch a few of his prayers, him signing “Our God is an Awesome God” and his upbeat and positive attitude. I think he’s the real deal. http://www.youtube.com/?watch?v=grM2sb7VYSs
My kids went to a Catholic high school, and since I had a three-sport jock in the house, we heard prayer before every game. It wasn’t exactly this wording, but the thought was the same: protection for the athletes and fans and glory to God.
The whole Tebow thing is so irritating because so many people gush as if he’s the first to ever do this, or he’s the first “praying quarterback,” as one woman put it…he isn’t, not by far, on either count. It’s just a shame that when Catholic athletes DO cross themselves—and many do (and have for years)—it’s ridiculed as “superstition” by the same people who think Tebow is the Second Coming. (sigh.)
I’ve often wondered this. Thanks for sharing, Jimmy!
I saw an article recently which said that Tebow prays for the strength to do things that offer glory to God. Sounds pretty doctrinally correct to me.
LOVE IT…... Inspiration
Boxer Manny Pacquiao frequently seen on TV to be “always” doing the sign of the cross, followed by a short prayer prior to a fight and post fights.
I think sports are nothing more than distraction. It has become a god to so many. It breeds an atmosphere of party spirit and it has eroded into nothing more than throwing Christians to lions simply for the sport of it. Animalistic. It has replaced academics.
Is it available in Latin?
I have seen families divided because the father is addicted to certain TV sports. Family members rarely talk to each other. What for, who can hear over the shouting fans or sports commentators? I’ve also seen the huge- screen TV ‘gods’ dominate entire family gatherings or celebrations. It’s the family who needs prayers for ‘strength to do things that offer glory to God”!
This is beautiful! My brother-in-law attends a small Christian university in Southern California, and before each of their games, the PA announcer leads everyone in a prayer. The message always centers on asking God that He keep the players free from injury, and that the players glorify God through the way they play the game, as well as how they treat their opponents.
Oh to see Catholic Pro Athletes on bended knee praying like that.
As it was always expressed at Notre Dame…God doesn’t care about the outcome of a football game. But His mother does. :-) Always made me laugh.
If he and prayed to Allah, you would not be praising Tebow. Why should he force his beliefs on others?
Lady of Victory - Pray for us. was standrard closing to pregame prayer.
Forwarding to our highschool campus minister!!
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