BELFAST MARATHON PRAYERS 2025
03/05/2025
(On Belfast Marathon Day 2025 Fitzroy recorded the BBC Radio Sunday Morning Service (on at 8.05am). Clare Orr read these prayers. I hope all runners, the city and all of us Weill benefit from them...)
Father,
As we gather together this morning, we think of the many runners on the roads of our city, taking on the huge challenge of completing a marathon. What an achievement to reach the start line today, with months of training and preparation.
We pray for strength, perseverance, endurance, hope and joy for every runner or walker taking part. Many will be running to raise money for a cause they believe in, or in memory of a loved one, or maybe just for the love of running.
Whatever the reason, we pray for supporters on the sidelines cheering them on, encouraging them when it gets difficult, helping them to keep going right to the finish line.
As the runners travel through each of the four corners of our beautiful city; from East to West, from North to South, we pray that we will be a city that continues to look forward and not back, that we are a city who strives for unity, looking out for all those who live here.
May we be a city who cares for the vulnerable among us, and may we support and encourage those organizations who work alongside our neighbours who are struggling.
As we all journey this race of life, may we create habits and practices that enrich us and bring joy. At times we feel like life is good and we are coasting, at other times we feel like we have hit the wall.
Thank you that we are not alone – you go before us and stand beside us. You are the blossom in the wilderness, our river in the desert. May you bring us supporters and cheerleaders when we need them, or may we ourselves be those who bring comfort and support to others when needed.
We thank you for your steady faithfulness and reassurance, that those who hope in the Lord will run and not grow weary, will walk and not be faint.
We pray these words in the name of Jesus.
Amen