I am humble in victory and gracious in defeat. It includes the touchdown you scored and the time you got burned for a touchdown. If I lose,keep me from envy. The following prayer is fitting for a game, competition, workout, or even practice: 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. Lord, I admit that my prayers before competition are more focused on the scoreboard than on becoming like You. Amen. Bless us with a team spirit In this way we perform an act of worship, showcasing the gifts which God has given us. Always remember hes a good father who loves his kids and is making you into a person that reflects His character. Powerful Father, you told me that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. May 14, 2022 Prayer for athletes before a game When your child is playing a competitive sport, it can seem overwhelming. May you bless the organizers, judges, athletes and everyone, For their cooperation and unity in making. 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. Have athletes perform in front of spectators and peers. New subscribers receive the first chapter of my new book: The Christian Athlete (and other resources too). Show her the way to give also strength of those girls around her so that she to can help them to achieve their goals. It is a wonderful prayer to recite but we must not forget that it was also an example of HOW we should pray. Please try again or contact website administrator. God is our refuge." Help us to remember that we are all your children, no matter what uniform we wear. the outcome. We pray that we would look to you in awe and worship. Prayer for Conduct Lord God, our Heavenly Father, we thank you for this opportunity to gather togetherthis afternoon/evening in competition. This we ask through Christ, our Lord, Amen. 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. I desire to pour out my heart before You every day that I compete. he shall set me high upon a rock. What if we could move away from simply selfish prayers during a game and learned to love God by thinking about other people in the middle of the games? Many times there may be even be opportunities for group prayer among Christians on your team. I will wait on the Lord and be of good courage. of goodwill, both for ourselves and for the team we face in the game. Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." 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. You train my hands for battle. 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? Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. .css-tadcwa:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Philip Kosloski - @media screen and (max-width: 767px){.css-1xovt06 .date-separator{display:none;}.css-1xovt06 .date-updated{display:block;width:100%;}}published on 02/13/22. Father in Heaven, we ask Your blessing on the game we are about to play. There is training, striving and becomingboth on the field and off. That would stoop into superstition and silliness (Ive got my eye on you baseball players!). How we process the post-game is important. among us and within us. But lets focus here on your personal prayer life. Being disappointed and hurting because of the loss is not ungodlyit is quite human. Dear Lord, as we gather before you to participate in this academic contest, make us aware that we do this competition not for our own glory but to glorify your name. Many athletes are superstitious, or go through the same series of progressions or habits before competition, because they believe it gives them luck or a better chance to perform optimally. In your holy name, I pray. Help me to be a good sport. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me. The Sovereign Lord is high and holy and can handle your disappointment for sure. We thank you especially for the ability to participate in sports today together, as a team. I serve those on my team and those I compete against. It does mean that all of life is spent in the presence of God and in a posture of heart that is prayerful. 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.. Help us to remember that we are all Lord, I compete for You alone. 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. In every victory and every loss, I play for You. I am Your warrior in the heat of battle. Here is a prayer from the Book of Blessings that incorporates these themes and asks God for protection of all athletes involved. Olympic athletes have a unique opportunity every four years to inspire the world with their physical strength, graceful movements and mental stamina. Dear Jesus, though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear. Prayers as athletes who follow Jesus should be no different. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Help me train and play but not become weary. No matter what they do, no matter how wicked, please allow me to forgive. I feel Your delight when I compete. 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. Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you. All of life is in relationship with God for the Christian and this certainly includes the moments before, during and after our games. Help us to play with all our strength and with the spirit of good sportsmanship. You are literally preparing to walk with God in the midst of a highly competitive, fast moving and intense environment. Amen. that we not take days like this for granted. May it foster love and camaraderie amongst all present here today. * This was written by Reid Monaghan and was posted at athletesinaction.org in 2016. Keep us under the protection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Any athlete, regardless of sport or level of competition, should include a Athlete Mobility Workout in their training routine. For in the time of trouble, he shall hide me in his pavilion, in the secret place of his tabernacle he shall hide me, he shall set me high upon a rock. (a team prayer for before a sports game such as football or baseball). To win is to honor Him. While interning with Fordham University Athletics, I had the opportunity to interact with an array of athletes. The Hail Mary consists of the words "Hail Mary, full of grace" followed by "the Lord is with you." Click here St. John Paul II was an avid sportsman who loved skiing, hiking and playing soccer. Thank God that even these things are ordered for your growth and good. It has been renamed and reposted here with Reids permission. Help us to enter into this event with love, wisdom and strength in our hearts. 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. 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). If through athletics I set an example, 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. Once the game clock goes to zero, its a great time forgratitude. Prayer for My Light Light of the world, my Lord, you truly are the light of the world. And so we are confident that as we lift up our thoughts to you, you are indeed with us. Make me understand that the prize of winning the game here on earth will fade away, and that the real prize is eternal. In his message for the Jubilee of Sports, he composed a short prayer for all athletes,. Just remember you don't win or lose because of your lucky socks or your lucky prayers. That would be radical, but it would also be retraining our hearts to properly worship in the midst of competition. Win or lose, we hope to have fun, make friends and celebrate life. Develop in me a pure heart. Strengthen my weak hands and feeble knees. Prayer for Eternal Prize Powerful Father, you told me that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. Help us to conduct ourselves as you would, with grace and kindness. Prayer for Grace God our Father, you have created usto strive for the best. We ask You now, dear God, to equip us with all the things necessary to make us conduct this event truly in Your honor. Ive put in the work. Whatever happens today does not change that and I will come off the field as your child. Theres a great theological truth you need to know:When you step on the playing field, God is with you. Victory does not lie in winning but in becoming more like You. Let praise be the sound that fills up my soul, 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.. Lord, I admit that my prayers before competition are more focused on the scoreboard than on becoming like You. We ask that all of those involved today/tonight may conduct themselves in a God-pleasing manner and show goodsportsmanship despite the outcome. Provide athletes with additional competition opportunities at as many local-level meets as possible. We pray for the safety of these athletes. Prayer for the Team Dear Lord, you have blessed our team with many gifts and talents. My heart yearns for Your applause. Help us to be aware I declare my loyalty to You. Introduction. For I believe your full coming into my life is the way to real life, in all I do. Calm or minds so we can think clearly and play our best. Keep my light strong and bright. 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. 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? 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. But as true competitors, we need to ask, What is the proper way to pray before entering the battle? they will run and not grow weary, Psalm 118:13-14 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. Christian prayer should express our dependence upon God for all things and the centrality of forgiveness found in the gospel. Amen. Please keep them all safe on their way to my game, during my game, and on their way home from the game. The prayer can be simply focused on the health and well-being of all involved, and that each athlete will perform their best. Read uplifting prayers for healing, strength and renewal! Amen., 41 Ways to Use Sports in Your Youth Ministry. "(Philippians 4:13, NIV), "but those who hope in the Lord Unless noted otherwise, the material of this website is copyright free. 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. Featured on this page are four inspiring prayers for team games and athletic events, with a short sports prayer, a prayer for a coach to pray for their team, the famous Serenity Prayer, and a prayer for athletes before a competition. Many times, pre-game prayers can be like a rah-rah talk or a desperate plea to God for a big win. As a follower of Jesus, an attitude of gratitude is the right rhythm of heart after games. Help me heart to fully realize that the training will yield bountiful fruit. Grant that we not take days like this for granted. Most of all, help me never to quit in my efforts to be open to you. If you did well, give glory to Jesus. Remind me that sports are just games. Here is a great prayer that you can pray before a game, competition, workout or even practice: "Lord, I compete for You alone. My passion for competition comes from above. May your loving heart fill each of us so that, We could realize that it is not winning that truly counts. We dont want to stoop down into the mud of blaming God for defeats or just praising him for victories. Thank you for giving me your word. Athletic competition is a very human endeavor. Remind us how blessed we truly are. So what follows is both practical and provocative. Lord Jesus, you tell us that whenever two or more are gathered in your name, you are present in their midst. Keep us safe from injury and harm. ". Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. Help us to play to the best of our abilities. Help me to understand and internalize your word, and act according to your will. I know you will strengthen Being disappointed and hurting because of the loss is not ungodlyit is quite human. Give each one of us the courage to play the game in a manner, which by our wordsand our actions, is pleasing to you. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Our opponents are very good, and we need to win this game. Why Does Modern Architecture Look So Bad? In Your name, I pray. As a follower of Jesus, an attitude of gratitude is the right rhythm of heart after games. We pray this in your most holy name. They do it to get a crown that will not last. I am exhausted from training and playing hard. Prayer for Help through Injury Dear God, thank you for giving me life and my athletic abilities. Many times in these gaps the team talks to one another and receives instruction from the coaching staff. Whatever happens today does not change that and I will come off the field as your child. Honestly, all of that preparation should have been done the months, weeks and days before. Never catch me rejoicing in the adversity of others. Here is a prayer from the Book of Blessings that incorporates. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. All our latest music releases in one place! Help me to use them as gifts from you. I desire to pour out my heart before You every day that I compete. Let me be all of this now for You. Do you define winning by the scoreboard or by Christlike competition? If you can think of more than one, recount them all! Amen. Athlete's team prayer before a game of sport (a team prayer for before a sports game such as football or baseball). You have made my light shine before everyone! And so we are confident that as we lift up our thoughts to you, you are indeed with us. Just remember you dont win or lose because of your lucky socks or your lucky prayers. Thank you for what you have done for me. As God goes with us, so we go with God into the athletic arena. May all our actions give glory to your name and promote peace and love to theworld. 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. We ask you, Father, to bless each one of us and especially the coaches, officials and players. Youll have to take the principle shared now and apply it to your own sports unique circumstances and game structures but it is applicable across all sports. There is training, striving and becomingboth on the field and off. Hearing athletes and coaches pray before competition is always interesting. 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. 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. The content of this website is faithful to the Catholic faith with space for journeying, questioning, doubting, and searching. "Pour out your hearts before Him. Prayer for Awareness of Gods Presence Father in Heaven, we ask Your blessing on the game we are about to play. These pauses also contain moments where the Christian athlete can talk to the King. Help us to be the best we can possibly be, striving to play fairly and to play well. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. With Prayerscapes songs, ministry tracks and meditative instrumental music. I know you will strengthen my heart. Keep us safe from injury and harm. 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. I will wait on the Lord and be of good courage. 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. Many times there may be even be opportunities for group prayer among Christians on your team. Protect them from injury and harm. 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. Amen. Always let me help my opponent up. And in all things may Christ be praised! this momentous occasion a remarkable experience of your love and generosity. 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. Repetition in a familiar environment can help alleviate a lot of stress when preparing the athlete for competition. Being the best person you can be does not go without its setbacks. The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Guide her and give her the strength and courage to compete in the forthcoming cross country and athletic competitions this year and in the coming year's.