July 30, 2008

On August 8th the 2008 Summer Olympics will get underway from Beijing, China. More than 10,000 competitors representing 204 nations will come together. The United States will have an estimated 550 athletes participating. Even if you are not an athlete or sports fan, the Summer Olympics provides an opportunity to see some of the worlds best athletes compete in sports ranging from archery to wrestling. The events I am most looking forward to watching are Track and Field, Swimming and Diving, Triathlon, and Basketball. Watching these athletes from around the world perform will be exciting. Yet, the 2008 Olympics have the potential to get Christians around the world focused on something else- Praying for the nation of China.
China has spent more than $40 billion dollars transforming itself. More than one-fifth of the worlds population calls China home with a population of 1, 321,851,888. According to a recent New York Times article there are 80-100 million Chinese worshiping in underground churches. We need to pray for our brothers and sisters in China. Christianity is restricted and the persecution is intense. Would you allow these upcoming Olympic Games to be a reminder to you to pray for China? If you would like, go to www.vombooks.com to order an Olympic prayer band. Once you get to the Voice of the Martyrs web page, scroll down and click on the China Olympic prayer bands to place your order.

Let the games begin and as they do, let our praying match the intensity and devotion of the athletes that will compete.