Well I have to confess that I know very little about football, I’m happy to watch it on TV, if someone else wants to watch it, but I wouldn’t choose to do so myself.
However, I do enjoy watching live games, whether it’s children playing in the little leagues or adults playing in the Sunday leagues, you can sense the excitement and, more often than not, you’re close enough to almost be part of the action and, if you’re lucky, you might just see a few goals scored, and whoop with the fans as the ball hits the back of the net.
I like the atmosphere, and I suppose that’s what you miss when watching football on TV. Well, at least it’s a different kind of atmosphere and supporter experience on TV.
Being a football supporter gives you a sense of camaraderie, a mutual understanding, and sense of community. This is important as loneliness affects 22% of adults according to NHS figures.
So football is great, and beneficial to our health and wellbeing, but faith and prayer also has a big impact on our health and wellbeing.
Prayer works in communities, uniting people with common goals, creating a sense of belonging and trust, supporting people. For the individual, the act of praying reduces stress, calming the cardiovascular and nervous systems, allowing the mind and body space to heal and restore itself. Prayer comforts and encourages hope and optimism in otherwise challenging situations.
Prayer like football is good for us, but prayer has the added advantage of changing our lives not just in the everyday, but in the world to come, for prayer opens up God’s kingdom to those who believe, and claim Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
So you might not be picking up a football and heading off to your nearest playing fields, but you might just want to bow your head in prayer and ask the Lord Jesus to change your life.
God Bless ⚽️
Lynda