Let competition make me strong but never hostile. Amen. Amen. Many times there may be even be opportunities for group prayer among Christians on your team. Grant that we not take days like this for granted. Athletic competition is a very human endeavor. Amen. Let competition make me strong but never hostile. A few post-game ideas as we close. Help us to remember that we are all your children, no matter what uniform we wear. Maywe play hard and fair. That would stoop into superstition and silliness (I've got my eye on you baseball players!). These pauses also contain moments where the Christian athlete can talk to the King. When Jesus was asked to teach his friends to pray he gave them an example which was passed down to us as the Lord's Prayer.. Keep us under the protection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Prayer for My Light Light of the world, my Lord, you truly are the light of the world. No matter what they do, no matter how wicked, please allow me to forgive. Prayer for Sportsmanship Conduct All-powerful Lord, help me to play the game with all my energy and strength. Athletic competition is a very human endeavor. Prayers from Gods people should hold Him up as high and holy and desire for his kingdom to come and His ways to rule on the earth. (Isaiah 40:31, NIV). Once the game clock goes to zero, its a great time forgratitude. Amen. May my love and worship of You supersede all things in my heart today whether we win, lose or draw., God let the practice of my craft be expressed fully in the game today when I have opportunity. Prayer for Grace God our Father, you have created usto strive for the best. It is a wonderful prayer to recite but we must not forget that it was also an example of HOW we should pray. We ask that all of those involved today/tonight may conduct themselves in a God-pleasing manner and show goodsportsmanship despite the outcome. Keep us safe from injury and harm. Help me to learn something that matters once the game is over. Every game has planned breaks in the actionhalftime, quarters, time between periods, races, etc. You have made my light shine before everyone! Athletes who emphasize mobility training can improve their overall movement patterns, maintain . document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Universe of Faithis a Catholic website which offers an opportunity for any person to explore how the Catholic faith can be applied in real life and also to open windows on the teachings of the Catholic Church. Do you define winning by the scoreboard or by Christlike competition? Reid Monaghan is a former University of North Carolina wrestler, AIA staff person, and pastor. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. Prayer for Health of Players Jesus, in our upcoming game, we ask for your protection over all of us, on our team and the opposing team, so that no one is injured during the game. Amen. Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 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. I sweat for the One who made me. Dear Jesus, though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Bless us with a team spirit of goodwill, both for ourselves and for the team we face in the game. my heart. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Matthew 6:9-13, I Thessalonians 5:17,18tells us that part of walking with Jesus is to pray without ceasing.. In your holy name, I pray. Though war may rise against me,in this I will be confident. 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. Because I am among all athletes who have been most richly blessed: You see, I lost by inches, but I won by a mile." Anonymous Player Prayer God, let me play well but fairly. Amen. This doesnt mean that we spend our entire day with hands folded or held up to the heavens saying formal prayers. Help us to be aware of his presence with us in the game. Typically, athletes engage in sport-related prayer to seek secular goals such as performance enhancement and victory. God is our refuge." I serve those on my team and those I compete against. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. May you bless the organizers, judges, athletes and everyone, For their cooperation and unity in making. Always let me help my opponent up. May your loving heart fill each of us so that, We could realize that it is not winning that truly counts. It has been renamed and reposted here with Reids permission. Whatever happens today does not change that and I will come off the field as your child. Let praise be the sound that fills up my soul, 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). he shall set me high upon a rock. Develop in me a pure heart. Apologize to refs/officials, coaches, teammates or competitors if you were a jerk and lost your head in the game. All of my abilities are from You, Jesus. among us and within us. I pray that you may find him and be found in him before, during, and after you enter your athletic arena. Fill me with endurance to keep going with all my energy all the way to the end of the game. All these we ask in your mighty name, amen. Prayer for Help through Injury Dear God, thank you for giving me life and my athletic abilities. of his presence with us in the game. 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. The competition was maintained despite the earthquake which struck eastern Turkey and Syria on February 6, causing more than 50,000 deaths (including more than 44,000 in Turkey) according to the latest reports. I will wait on the Lord and be of good courage. An Athlete's Prayer Dear God, Today is game day and I place myself in your loving hands. 1 Samuel 12:24 But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. The prayer can be simply focused on the health and well-being of all involved, and that each athlete will perform their best. In every victory and every loss, I play for You. Dear Lord God, Thank you for all the gifts you have given us. that we not take days like this for granted. As a true competitor, what is the correct way to pray before entering the heat of battle? Let this competition serve as a way to praise your name and spread your good news. 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. Amen. How we process the post-game is important. This includes the wins as well as the losses. Amen. Remind us how blessed we truly are. And realize that they would not have succeeded without you. Being disappointed and hurting because of the loss is not ungodlyit is quite human. Unless noted otherwise, the material of this website is copyright free. It's FREE! Pray for athletes with this prayer to St. Sebastian. Self Awareness. Help us to play with all our strength and with the spirit of good sportsmanship. ". 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. We humbly bow down to You as we seek forgiveness for our sins: when we were tempted to cheat, to let laziness overcome our zeal, to doubt others and ourselves, and to doubt even You, dear God, among all other wrongs we have committed. Develop in me a pure heart. Win or lose, we hope to have fun, make friends and celebrate life. Help me run with purpose in every step. Honestly, all of that preparation should have been done the months, weeks and days before. Theres a great theological truth you need to know:When you step on the playing field, God is with you. No matter what they do, no matter how wicked, please allow me to forgive. Help me to be a good sport. Help us to play with all our strength and with the spirit of good sportsmanship. In today's society prayer has been a pivotal part of many athletes' lives. All rights reserved. Let competition make me strong but never hostile. I Thessalonians 5 tells us to give thanks in all things. Amen. (Isaiah 40:31, NIV), "Dear God, may everything I am be a prayer to you". Colossians 4:6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. May all our actions give glory to your name and promote peace and love to theworld. Let us enter into the competition in a spirit of sportsmanship Amen. prayers to prepare: before competition Pregame routines are important psychologically and spiritually for athletes. This doesnt mean that we spend our entire day with hands folded or held up to the heavens saying formal prayers. It does mean that all of life is spent in the presence of God and in a posture of heart that is prayerful. We pray this in your most holy name. Some of these habits, may include praying. It does mean that all of life is spent in the presence of God and in a posture of heart that is prayerful. My passion for competition comes from above. I wear Your jersey, Lord. There is training, striving and becomingboth on the field and off. Most of all, help me never to quit in my efforts to be open to you. We pray for the safety of these athletes. 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. injuries and that you will be with us as we leave this place today/tonight. will renew their strength. I desire to pour out my heart before You every day that I compete. Amen. once the game is over. The champion inside of me is Jesus. And as we ask for Your forgiveness, please help us to be reminded that we, too, should forgive as You have done. I am Your warrior in the heat of battle. Let this free me from anxiety and fear of failure., Lord, let me hold no grudges against coaches, officials or my competitors today. Provide athletes with additional competition opportunities at as many local-level meets as possible. Before competition, the word I want you to have in your mind is prepare. Help us to play in a way that fosters goodwill, teamwork and makes great memories for us to cherish the rest of our lives. You stoop down to make me great. But lets focus here on your personal prayer life. 1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Entrust your prayer intentions to our network of monasteries. They will soar on wings like eagles; Crying out to God and lamenting in these moments is legitimate prayer. Keep Jesus' words in mind as we reflect on how we shouldpray: Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. If you did terrible give your pain to him as well in prayer. If I know victory, allow me to be happy; if I am denied, keep me from envy. 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. 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. If you can think of more than one, recount them all! Let no root of bitterness get stuck in my soul today because of a game., Lord, let me give everything I have today and let me play really well and find joy in you doing something youve made me to do!!!. An issue has occurred. The use of prayer before and during sport performance can facilitate optimal performance through helping athletes develop an appropriate level of pre-competition awareness and, in turn, alleviate . 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. SPORTS PRAYER BEFORE GAME ATHLETE'S PRAYER God, let me play well but fairly. If you did terrible give your pain to him as well in prayer. Proverbs 25:27 It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable for people to seek their own glory. It includes the touchdown you scored and the time you got burned for a touchdown. Help us hit our mark and not make mistakes. Ive put in the work. A strong support group is necessary to achieve success in any sport. Keep Jesus words in mind as we reflect on how we should pray: Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. I feel Your delight when I compete. Why Does Modern Architecture Look So Bad? Every game has planned breaks in the actionhalftime, quarters, time between periods, races, etc. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Prayer for Athletes The Hail Mary is a prayer that has been used by Catholics for centuries. It is a wonderful prayer to recite but we must not forget that it was also an example of HOW we should pray. Always remember hes a good father who loves his kids and is making you into a person that reflects His character. Please try again or contact website administrator. How can you develop your prayer life in the arena of competition? 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. When Jesus was asked to teach his friends to pray he gave them an example which was passed down to us as the Lords Prayer.. Required fields are marked *. Though war may rise against me,in this I will be confident. I will respect and honor my teammates, coaches and opponents. Ive put in the work. Help me heart fully feel your love and the life that you give. Many times, pre-game prayers can be like a rah-rah talk or a desperate plea to God for a big win. Let competition make me strong but never hostile. Help me keep my sense of humor during the stress of the game, and the grace to follow the rules. Amen. We ask you, Father, to bless each one of us and especially the coaches, officials and players. Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. In your name, I pray. They are often smiling, dancing around, chatting it up, or . Please wrap us in your wings so that we can all play an enjoyable game that is safe and responsible. 3. Amen. Prayer for Goodwill Lord Jesus, we welcome your presence here among us andIn our community of (Insert School/League Name). weeks and days before. And finally, we pray for your grace,that you would provide uswith the endurance to pursue our heavenly prize:eternal life in Your Son. Help us to conduct ourselves as you would, with grace and kindness. Amen. 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. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Let hope flood my mind and grace give me strength, Let love fill my lungs as I breathe for this race, I play for You, Lord, when I put on the uniform, lace up the shoes and walk out of the locker room. Once the game clock goes to zero, its a great time for gratitude. Father in Heaven, we ask Your blessing on the game we are about to play. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Whatever happens today does not change that and I will come off the field as your child. Help all we do with this event to reflect your presence among us and within us. Athlete's team prayer before a game of sport (a team prayer for before a sports game such as football or baseball). We thank You for the multitude of blessings You have bestowed upon us in the form of our families and friends, our abilities and talents, and even the most uncanny circumstances. Give each one of us the courage to play the game in a manner, which by our words and our actions, is pleasing to you. We pray in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Please keep them all safe on their way to my game, during my game, and on their way home from the game. Grant I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Bless us with a team spirit Heavenly Father, we also would like to ask forgiveness for all the sins we have committed in our pursuit of success, as well as in our daily lives. Click here St. John Paul II was an avid sportsman who loved skiing, hiking and playing soccer. Prayers as athletes who follow Jesus should be no different. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.- Matthew 6:9-13, I Thessalonians 5:17,18 tells us that part of walking with Jesus is to pray without ceasing.. Amen. Christian athletes are not perfect but we should practice repentance and own where we screw up. 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. Prayer for Eternal Prize Powerful Father, you told me that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. Help me train and play but not become weary. In light of that I offer these as a few examples of ways to pray: God help me today to honor you and all I do and say in this arena of sports (insert: field, court, mat, pool etc). I desire to pour out my heart before You every day that I compete. My body is Your temple; nothing enters my body that is not honoring to You.