Athlete’s Prayer
This Athlete’s Prayer can be used by athletes, coaches and supporters to ask God’s help and blessings on those who compete in all sports.
Athlete’s Prayer
Dear God,
We thank you that you for the amazing strength, vitality and abilities of our bodies.
As we train, may we learn discipline and perseverance. Teach us to strive toward mastery and excellence on and off the field.
May we compete with our whole heart while respecting our sport, our team, other players, our coaches and referees. May we engage our minds in the strategy of our performance. And may we have competitive spirits, eager to do our best.
May we value sportsmanship and comradery. May we be excellent team players, playing for the good of the team and not for our own glory.
Show us how to come back strong from defeat with our eyes focused on the goal. Comfort us during injuries, loss and disappointment. And help us make good decisions off and on the field.
Make us gracious winners. May any victories bring you glory, encourage others and bring joy to many.
Help us to enjoy the sport and benefit from the process of training. And may we learn how to strongly follow your good paths for our lives as citizens of Your Kingdom using the qualities that have built our characters and endurance as athletes.
Amen.
Scriptures on this Athletes Prayer
Run a good race and train well
I Cor. 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly. I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified from the prize. (I Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV)
Lay aside things holding you back and run with endurance.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)
Winning the prize
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. Do your best to come to me soon. (2 Timothy 4:7-9 ESV)
Suffering brings endurance
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. (Romans 5:3,4 ESV)
You must compete by the rules to win
An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. (2 Timothy 2:5 ESV)
Our bodies are the temple of God, so glorify God with our bodies
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (I Corinthians 6:19,20 ESV)
Press on to the goal
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14 ESV)
About this Athlete’s Prayer
I wrote this prayer while watching the Olympics where athletes of all cultures compete in nearly every sport under the sun. The thing these athletes have in common is their dedication, training, endurance and competitive spirit.
God created us with body, mind, soul and spirit and all of these work in harmony as we serve God. The Bible tells us to “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with al your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV)
God teaches us spiritual truths through our physical strengths and struggles . From sports we learn character traits that are necessary in seeking after God and His Kingdom with perseverance, determination and vigor.
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Copyright Karen Barber 2024. All rights reserved.
