This prayer service is designed to be done in the church and could be followed by a parish event. It could also be an opportunity to allow teams to meet one another and their coaches while parents get an overview of the CYO program and expectations.
Opening Song – Opening Prayer (Pastor or AD)
Lord God, we ask your blessing on the CYO year ahead of us. Give each of our players and coaches the courage to play this game in a manner which by our words and our actions are pleasing to you. Let us enter into each game in a spirit of sportsmanship and respect for the members of the opposing team. We ask you, Father of mercies, to bless each of us, especially the coaches, officials, parents, and players. Keep us under the protection of your Son, Jesus Christ, and help us to be aware of his presence with us during practices and games.
Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
- Amen.
Scripture (AD, Coach, or Player)
1Cor 10:31-33
A Reading from St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.
Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Avoid giving offence, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in every way, not seeking my own benefit, but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
The Word of the Lord.
- Thanks be to God
Reflection (Pastor, AD, Coach)
Take a moment to consider your role in our CYO year. … Coaches, you have an important role in helping our players understand both their role on the team, and their role as a child of God on the court. Parents, you have chosen to have your children join a CATHOLIC Youth Organization basketball team so that they can learn the game, have fun, and above all, learn the virtues of sportsmanship and respect. Players, you have the most important role. You are here to become what God made you to be – a reflection of God’s love and understanding on and off the court.
When we practice in CYO, we practice to learn. When we play in CYO, we play to win. But learning and winning are secondary to being a child of God to others. Let’s make this year one where everyone comes out feeling seen, appreciated, and more a part of something than when the year began.
Petitions (Players)
Leader: Lord, Jesus Christ, you told us that whenever we ask in faith, you would hear us and answer us. We bring these prayers to you in faith.
Reader(s): Our response is “Lord hear our prayer.”
- For the coaches. May they be examples of Jesus the teacher, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
- For the players. May we be models of the disciples, sharing Jesus with those we meet, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
- For the officials and spectators. May they be fair and compassionate, and may they be a good example for our players, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
- For those who visit our court. May they feel welcome and appreciated, even as we strive for a win, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
- And we pause to pray for anyone else associated with CYO – the other teams, the Diocesan and parish staffs, and our families. May CYO be an example of Church for them, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
Closing Prayer (Pastor or AD)
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, you give each of us gifts and bring us together as a community to share those gifts. Let us grow our abilities as teams, and share them with those we play. Help us to see you, the Risen Lord, in the faces of those we meet on the basketball court.
And together we pray the St. Sebastian Prayer.
Father, thank you for the abilities you give me to play my sport. Jesus be with me as I play that I might do my best. Holy Spirit inspire me as I compete. May I always play fairly and with respect for my opponents. Whatever the outcome of this game, bless me in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
St. Sebastian, Patron of Sports Pray for us!