Praying for the 2008 Olympics

[newunfoldment]

Please share some ideas we can pray with for the upcoming 2008 Olympics.

[Peter J]

It is certainly true that many people who have sought an opportunity to protest against the Chinese government have taken full advantage of China's hosting of the 2008 games. It is worth asking, why are there so many people protesting?

The interesting thing about China is that society there has made a lot of progress and generally become much freer in recent years, even with the one party communist system still in place. We can really be grateful for this. Many people, however, are critical of Chinese foreign policy. They are disappointed that China has alliances with some rather oppresive govenments, such as the one's currently governing Burma, North Korea, Sudan and Zimbabwe (The ammunition ship being an obvious recent case in point). They are also critical of the government's treatment of its own ethnic minorities - such as the Tibetans and Uyghurs.

So how to pray? Hosting the Olympics is a big responsibility, of which the Chinese people are justifiably proud. We can respect this, and see all the good qualities being expressed in this work. It is also an opportunity for Chinese people to meet athletes and supporters from all over the world - a great chance for them to broaden their world understanding.

Our prayers can embrace all peoples, knowing that they all reflect their Father-Mother's love to each other, and therefore be at harmony. As those same qualities are expressed by governments, we will see more policies which help support peace in the world.