May 27, 2010. The Anglican Church has published special prayers for the teams, fans, and hosts of the World Cup in South Africa.

Reverend Nick Baines, Bishop of Croydon, has written prayers portraying God as a football player who plays and gives life to the cosmos.

Reverend Baines says everyone will be affected by the World Cup in one way or another so it made sense to write prayers suitable to everyone.

The prayers ask for sportsmanship and safety during the competition and to bless teams and fans as they celebrate.

The bishop has also kept in mind those who are uninterested in the World Cup and will be surrounded by neighbors and friends who are soccer enthusiasts. He wrote a prayer asking to grant them the "gift of sympathy if needed."

Reverend Baines says the World Cup isn’t just about football, but that it is about "the rainbow of nations of the world celebrating together with the people of South Africa."

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