Bishop Libby has been encouraging us all to pray ahead of Sunday's Euro 2020 final between England and Italy.
Over the past few days, Bishop Libby, who is the Church of England's designated bishop for sport, has appeared on BBC East Midlands Today, BBC Radio Derby and BBC Radio 5Live to relect on the tournament and to pray for fairness and respect during England's semi-final match against Denmark and Sunday's final between England and Italy.
(Video courtesy BBC East Midlands Today)
Here is a prayer you can use ahead of Sunday's final:
God of grace and mercy,
for all that gives us joy and offers us hope,
we give you thanks.
We rejoice that we are brought together,
across our rich and vibrant diversity, in celebration and shared experience -
and we pray the goodness of all that will last long beyond Sunday
(whatever the result).
You know the desires of our hearts,
and we know those hopes are echoed in hearts across Italy,
as they were in Denmark and Spain over these past few days.
And so, as we turn to you again in prayer,
we do not ask for victory (though we are honest in naming that want it) –
rather we ask, one more, that striving for excellence
will be marked by humility and fair play
and rooted in respect for others, on and of the pitch.
May our desire to win not overwhelm our common humanity
and may we, finally, find our hope and peace in you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.