Prayers as athletes who follow Jesus should be no different. This doesnt mean that we spend our entire day with hands folded or held up to the heavens saying formal prayers. And as we ask for Your forgiveness, please help us to be reminded that we, too, should forgive as You have done. The prayer can be simply focused on the health and well-being of all involved, and that each athlete will perform their best. Amen. and with respect for members of the opposing team. Help us all to play in a Christ-like manner. Let the winners learn that they succeeded because of your blessing and guiding presence. Whatever we accomplish in this competition, we offer all of these to you. But lets focus here on your personal prayer life. prayers to prepare: before competition Pregame routines are important psychologically and spiritually for athletes. Though war may rise against me,in this I will be confident. Reducing anxiety and preparing for competitions, such as via the use of pre-game religious rituals and practices such as prayer, are evident among many athletes. Here is a prayer from the Book of Blessings that incorporates these themes and asks God for protection of all athletes involved. let it be a good one. 6. Help me run with purpose in every step. That would be radical, but it would also be retraining our hearts to properly worship in the midst of competition. Where sport culture, relationships, character, identity, and faith collide. Dear God, we thank you for allowing us to gather here before you in this competition not as enemies but as friends. Let this competition serve as a way to praise your name and spread your good news. You can't be with your child every step of the way, but that doesn't mean you can't unite your hearts with his or her stance on the field. I know you will strengthen Lord Jesus, you tell us that whenever two or more are gathered in your name, you are present in their midst. My drive comes from the Holy Spirit. Please wrap us in your wings so that we can all play an enjoyable game that is safe and responsible. We ask you, Father, to bless each one of us and especially the coaches, officials and players. You have let me become a light! We thank you especially for the ability to participate in sports today together, as a team. Help us to play with all our strength and with the spirit of good sportsmanship. Prayer for the Crowd Sweet and loving Lord, I am on my knees before you today, asking for your protection over everyone that comes to see my game. 1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. that we not take days like this for granted. Theres a great theological truth you need to know:When you step on the playing field, God is with you. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Prayer of Thanks for Great Talent Lord, my Savior, it is you who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. But lets focus here on your personal prayer life. Read more: of his presence with us in the game. ", The First Black NFL Coach You Likely Havent Heard Of. If you did terrible give your pain to him as well in prayer. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. There are so many scriptures about God being our present help in a time of trouble(Psalm 46:1), our strength and our shield(Psalm 28:7), our comforter (Isaiah 40:1,Matthew 5:4,Romans 15:4,2 Thessalonians 2:16-17), the one who prepares our hand for battle (Psalm 144) and the one who will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5,6). Many times there may be even be opportunities for group prayer among Christians on your team. I will respect and honor my teammates, coaches and opponents. If you did well, give glory to Jesus. Always remember hes a good father who loves his kids and is making you into a person that reflects His character. Every time I compete, I stand for the cross. Protecting God, as we enter into this competition, we pray for our protection and for the protection of those with whom we will compete. As a follower of Jesus, an attitude of gratitude is the right rhythm of heart after games. (1 Chronicles 4:10, NIV), "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Doing the same or similar things before matches or games can help calm the mind and focus the athletes heart on the task at hand. Help us internalize the values of humility and sportsmanship, and grant us the humility or courage to accept whatever result awaits us. As a follower of Jesus, an attitude of gratitude is the right rhythm of heart after games. Develop in me a pure heart. Bestow your generosity and love to all of us present today and bless also those who are left at home. Many times pre-game prayers can be a "rah-rah" talk or desperate plea for a big win. My love for the game is evidence of my love for You. I pray that all who play this game today are protected from physical harm. Make me understand that the prize of winning the game here on earth will fade away, and that the real prize is eternal. Help us to be aware You told me to run in such a way as to get the prize. Lord, we thank you for the gifts and abilities you have blessed these athletes with,and we pray that they may use them to glorify you. This year many Olympians have added another. Let hope flood my mind and grace give me strength, Some of these habits, may include praying. Amen. Help us hit our mark and not make mistakes. Amen. He is currently president of the Gospel Underground. Help me heart fully feel your love and the life that you give. My only goal is to glorify the name of Christ. Keep Jesus words in mind as we reflect on how we should pray: 9 Pray then like this:Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. This we ask through Christ, our Lord, Amen. Prayer to Build Each Other Up Heavenly Father, please bless todays game, our opponents, our team and all who are watching us play. But including prayer in our pregame is not difficult. Want to see fewer ads on Aleteia? Thank you for what you have done for me. Keep us under the protection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. When we look back on this competition, let us see that we committed ourselves fully to the game and emerged with dignity and respect for our competition. Practice Positive Self Talk. It is a wonderful prayer to recite but we must not forget that it was also an example of HOW we should pray. As a true competitor, what is the correct way to pray before entering the heat of battle? You enable me to stand on heights. he shall set me high upon a rock. Help me heart to fully realize that the training will yield bountiful fruit. Thank God for at least one specific blessing that took place in the competition. It consists of exercises that increase flexibility, range of motion, and joint mobility, all of which are necessary for optimal athletic performance and injury prevention. Through the pain and through the cheers, I will not give in or give up. Amen. ". I declare my loyalty to You. Positive Parental Involvement In Sports, Spiritual Thirst A Reflection on the Samaritan, Your email address will not be published. As God goes with us, so we go with God into the athletic arena. Have athletes perform in front of spectators and peers. Lord help me work through this frustration, God help me relax and shut out distractions, Lord give more strength and endurance then I think I have, Lord forgive me for that flagrant file or stupid penalty where I lost my head. Doing the same or similar things before matches or games can help calm the mind and focus the athlete's heart on the task at hand. Pregame routines are important psychologically and spiritually for athletes. my heart. If I know victory, allow me to be happy. Prayer for Goodwill Lord Jesus, we welcome your presence here among us andIn our community of (Insert School/League Name). All of life is in relationship with God for the Christian and this certainly includes the moments before, during and after our games. I utter what You desire. Bless us with a team spirit of goodwill, both for ourselves and for the team we face in the game. All this we pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In Your name, I pray. Thank God for at least one difficult thing in the game that you really didnt like and that was really hard for youas an act of faith. Help me to understand and internalize your word, and act according to your will. Dear Lord God, Thank you for all the gifts you have given us. Many times, pre-game prayers can be like a rah-rah talk or a desperate plea to God for a big win. If I know victory, allow me to be happy; if I am denied, keep me from envy. Prayer to Understand Winning Dear Jesus, all good athletes are disciplined in their training. Honestly, all of that preparation should have been done the months, weeks and days before. Grant to all athletes, coaches, and fans, strength to pursue excellenceduring this event. These inspirational prayers and bible verses for athletes serve as the perfect source of inspiration to the types of things you can speak to the Lord about. No matter what they do, no matter how wicked, please allow me to forgive. Calm or minds so we can think clearly and play our best. Bless the winners that they may be humble in their victory. "I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us. Amen. For Hard Times For Financial Prosperity For Physical Health For Emotional Health For Protection For a Marriage For Babies and Pregnancy For Family For Spiritual Warfare For Spiritual Health For a Death For the Workplace For Bedtime, Bible Commentary Bible Verses Devotionals Faith Prayers Coloring Pages Pros and Cons, 50 Biblically Accurate Facts About Angels in the Bible, 50 Most Profitable Youth Group Fundraising Ideas for Your Church, 250 Ice Breaker Questions for Teen Youth Groups, 25 Important Examples of Pride in the Bible, Why Jesus Wept and 11 Lessons from His Tears, 25 Different Ways to Worship God and Praise the Lord. I wear Your jersey, Lord. During the gaps in the games, what if you prayed for a struggling friend or someone whose anger is hindering them from their best play? My arms can bend a bow of bronze. Thank God that even these things are ordered for your growth and good. Run with her today .. run with her to finish in the top 6 of the Regional cross country. Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us the grace to play our best, to be a good sport, win or lose, and to honor you with our efforts. Thanks to their partnership in our mission, we reachmore than 20 million unique users per month! Grant your wisdom that the contestants will value more the camaraderie and cooperation that would happen today more that the glory of winning. Do you define winning by the scoreboard or by Christlike competition? once the game is over. Many times during games we can forget that God is at work in the lives of many people. It is often said before and after athletic competitions to help athletes win. Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, for these two teams, for the chance to study, to understand the world around us a little better, for the health to be here, for the thrill of a sporting event and for individuals leaning to play as a team. Let me run in the land of my dreams. I serve those on my team and those I compete against. Let the competition make me strong, but never hostile. Psalm 118:13-14 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. Today, we gather together to represent our School/Church. She is in need of your help to get her through these hard times of physical and mental restraint. That would stoop into superstition and silliness (I've got my eye on you baseball players!). They will soar on wings like eagles; All our latest music releases in one place! I will wait on the Lord and be of good courage. weeks and days before. Amen. The Sovereign Lord is high and holy and can handle your disappointment for sure. We need to develop the life habit of thanking God for everything that He allows into our life and story. Pregame routines are important psychologically and spiritually for athletes. How we process the post-game is important. Amen., 41 Ways to Use Sports in Your Youth Ministry. Prayer for Awareness of Gods Presence Father in Heaven, we ask Your blessing on the game we are about to play. The following prayer is fitting for a game, competition, workout, or even practice: Christian athletes are not perfect but we should practice repentance and own where we screw up. A strong support group is necessary to achieve success in any sport. So what follows is both practical and provocative. Let me play today in that light as a servant of Christ., Father, remind me that Im accepted by you fully in Jesus Christ as a daughter or son by faith. Prayer for Grace God our Father, you have created usto strive for the best. Lord help me work through this frustration, God help me relax and shut out distractions, Lord give more strength and endurance then I think I have, Lord forgive me for that flagrant file or stupid penalty where I lost my head. The Sovereign Lord is high and holy and can handle your disappointment for sure. Being disappointed and hurting because of the loss is not ungodlyit is quite human. Let faith be the wind that I feel on my face, They are often smiling, dancing around, chatting it up, or . Amen. Prayer for My Light Light of the world, my Lord, you truly are the light of the world. Featured on this page are several inspiring prayers suitable for athletes and sports men and women to pray before an event, with an uplifting team prayer for a baseball or football team, a prayer for a coach or supporters to say and two short prayers suitable for carrying or memorizing. An understanding mind that this competition is among friends. Prayer for Help through Injury Dear God, thank you for giving me life and my athletic abilities. Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Make my path straight and give me the perseverance and grace to complete my training with all my effort and with a good attitude. We ask that all involved in todays/tonights game may be kept free from injuriesand that you will be with us as we leave this place today/tonight. All these we ask in your mighty name, amen. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. We know that there are people around that world that cannot compete because of violence, poverty or discrimination. Amen. Include mini meets in practice that simulate the competition. Help us to follow the rules and not be tempted to do things that may end up causing harm to others in our effort to win the game. I am under Your authority. Every game has planned breaks in the actionhalftime, quarters, time between periods, races, etc. Amen. In the days beyond this one, please guide us with Your everlasting and unfailing love so that we may continue to live and touch others with what good we have within, so that we may leave our mistakes in the past, and so that we may be better children of Yours. Amen. There are so many scriptures about God being our present help in a time of trouble(Psalm 46:1), our strength and our shield(Psalm 28:7), our comforter (Isaiah 40:1, Matthew 5:4, Romans 15:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17), the one who prepares our hand for battle (Psalm 144) and the one who will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5,6). Amen. PRAYERS TO PREPARE: BEFORE COMPETITION Pregame routines are important psychologically and spiritually for athletes. We pray this in your most holy name. Share with us your Spirit of peace and love for one another. Keep us safe from injury and harm. God is our refuge." Athletes who emphasize mobility training can improve their overall movement patterns, maintain . "My Three Daughters Practice Athletics" Positive The Future Has Many Faces A Reflection. But including prayer in our pregame is not difficult. Amen. Prayer For Athletes Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, for these two teams, for the chance to study, to understand the world around us a little better, for the health to be here, for the thrill of a sporting event and for individuals leaning to play as a team. Some athletes in America recite this prayer before competitions in our day. Equally as important for the physical ability of an athlete as it is the mental comfort, many athletes tend to consume certain meals, snacks, or drinks before the competition with the intention of replicating past successful performance by producing similar energy levels. Before competition, the word I want you to have in your mind isprepare. If through athletics I set an example, Grant us the patience and the determination to face each question and challenges in life, as well as the ones in this competition. Amen. We ask that all of those involved today/tonight may conduct themselves in a God-pleasing manner and show good sportsmanship despite Thank you for all you have given me. Let this free me from anxiety and fear of failure., Lord, let me hold no grudges against coaches, officials or my competitors today. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. Entrust your prayer intentions to our network of monasteries. Strengthen their concentration so that they have a laser-like focus all during the game and can see what they need to see. Please try again or contact website administrator. Amen. Amen. You stoop down to make me great. Their reasons for using these. Let me play today in that light as a servant of Christ., Father, remind me that Im accepted by you fully in Jesus Christ as a daughter or son by faith. Once the game clock goes to zero, its a great time for gratitude. "(Philippians 3:13-15, TLB), "I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Help me to learn something that matters once the game is over. the outcome. I praise to you Lord almighty to help my daughter overcome fear of her physical problems and give her the strength that she once had to guide her and to empower her in her chosen sport. Powerful Father, you told me that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. The prayer can be simply focused on the health and well-being of all involved, and that each athlete will perform their best. It might seem strange to offer a prayer before an athletic event, but in truth, the prayer doesnt have to be for a particular winner. The Prayer of Jabezan ancient prayer from the bible for protection, guidance and blessingJabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Allow the losers to learn that they are already winners because of their willingness to share their talents. Doing the same or similar things before matches or games can help calm the mind and focus the athlete's heart on the task at hand.