Thank God for at least one specific blessing that took place in the competition. Amen. Prayer for Jesus to Hear Us Lord Jesus, you tell us that whenever two or more are gathered inyour name, you are present in their midst. Just remember you dont win or lose because of your lucky socks or your lucky prayers. The narrative in your head before competition should be mindful and purposeful. While interning with Fordham University Athletics, I had the opportunity to interact with an array of athletes. I wait for you, Lord, to give me new strengthto run and not get tired. Please bless our team with passion for this wonderful sport, with unity of heart and mind and with a vision to try our hardest. Remind us how blessed we truly are. As a follower of Jesus, an attitude of gratitude is the right rhythm of heart after games. I pray that I do not seek individual glory or accolades, but rather that I play for your glory and for the good of my team. Lord, I admit that my prayers before competition are more focused on the scoreboard than on becoming like You. Amen. Copyright Aleteia SAS all rights reserved. You stoop down to make me great. Victory does not lie in winning but in becoming more like You. 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. Our opponents are very good, and we need to win this game. injuries and that you will be with us as we leave this place today/tonight. 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). 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. Amen. Help me to play well, to use my talents to the fullest. Feb. 27, 2023 Bob Richards, the only male two-time winner of the Olympic pole vault, who in the 1950s became a hero of American Cold War competition with the Soviet Union and a breakfast-table. Let the winners learn that they succeeded because of your blessing and guiding presence. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. Thank you for all you have given me. Why Does Modern Architecture Look So Bad? And so we are confident that as we lift up our thoughts to you, you are indeed with us. The content of this website is faithful to the Catholic faith with space for journeying, questioning, doubting, and searching. Thank God that even these things are ordered for your growth and good. Make me understand that the prize of winning the game here on earth will fade away, and that the real prize is eternal. We ask this in your name, Lord Jesus. We dont want to stoop down into the mud of blaming God for defeats or just praising him for victories. Help me to understand and internalize your word, and act according to your will. 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? Amen. (a team prayer for before a sports game such as football or baseball). 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. 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. Dear God, we thank you for allowing us to gather here before you in this competition not as enemies but as friends. Christian athletes are not perfect but we should practice repentance and own where we screw up. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 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. -Psalm 62:8. It includes that slower time in the race that devastates you after training so hard for better results. Win or lose, we hope to have fun, make friends and celebrate life. Watching these different athletes . Positive Parental Involvement In Sports. once the game is over. Help us internalize the values of humility and sportsmanship, and grant us the humility or courage to accept whatever result awaits us. In this way we perform an act of worship, showcasing the gifts which God has given us. "(Philippians 4:13, NIV), "but those who hope in the Lord Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 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. Some athletes in America recite this prayer before competitions in our day. Sign up for all the latest articles, resources, and tools to help you grow as a leader on your team and in life. they will run and not grow weary, And most of all, help me to be a good example to other athletes. (Isaiah 40:31, NIV), "Dear God, may everything I am be a prayer to you". PRAYERS TO PREPARE: BEFORE COMPETITION Pregame routines are important psychologically and spiritually for athletes. As God goes with us, so we go with God into the athletic arena. Some of these habits, may include praying. Prayer for Before Any Game God our Father, help us to put forth our best effort, to represent our school with class, to respect our opponents, and to grow as disciples of your Son, Jesus. Prayer before Tough Game Heavenly Father, you promised that you would not abandon me. "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. Remind me that sports are just games. Amen. And realize that as long as they have done their best, it is also a victory for them. Let the competition make me strong, but never hostile. your children, no matter what uniform we wear. The athlete pregame prayer should instead be about no turning back, I will . You have made my light shine before everyone! Bestow your generosity and love to all of us present today and bless also those who are left at home. In his message for the Jubilee of Sports, he composed a short prayer for all athletes,. I do it to get a crown that will last forever. But as true competitors, we need to ask, What is the proper way to pray before entering the battle? Being the best person you can be does not go without its setbacks. God, let me play well but fairly. My body is Your temple; nothing enters my body that is not honoring to You. Once the game clock goes to zero, its a great time for gratitude. Required fields are marked *. I play for You, Lord, when I put on the uniform, lace up the shoes and walk out of the locker room. Settle my temper so that I treat everyone with courtesy. Pregame routines are important psychologically and spiritually for athletes. "(Philippians 3:13-15, TLB), "I can do all this through him who gives me strength. We pray in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Apologize to refs/officials, coaches, teammates or competitors if you were a jerk and lost your head in the game. Just remember you dont win or lose because of your lucky socks or your lucky prayers. May your loving heart fill each of us so that, We could realize that it is not winning that truly counts. Though war may rise against me,in this I will be confident. Have athletes perform in front of spectators and peers. Here is a great prayer that you can pray before a game, competition, workout or even practice: "Lord, I compete for You alone. As God goes with us, so we go with God into the athletic arena. 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. Keep us under the protection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. Remind me that sports are just games. 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. . Amen. A few post-game ideas as we close. Help the team work well and communicate with each other. 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. This we ask through Christ, our Lord, Amen. If I know victory, allow me to be happy. SPORTS PRAYER BEFORE GAME ATHLETE'S PRAYER God, let me play well but fairly. Athlete's team prayer before a game of sport (a team prayer for before a sports game such as football or baseball). Amen. Thanks to their partnership in our mission, we reachmore than 20 million unique users per month! In Your name, I pray. Prayer for Referees Almighty Father, we ask that your wisdom comes over the referees for our game, so that they may have clarity of thought and discernment when making the calls. Help us to be the best we can possibly be, striving to play fairly and to play well. The following prayer is fitting for a game, competition, workout, or even practice: Food. Before competition, the word I want you to have in your mind is prepare. Lord, I call upon you to say to my daughter pick yourself up and run with the wind, faster than you have ever before. All of life is in relationship with God for the Christian and this certainly includes the moments before, during and after our games. Powerful Father, you told me that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. Yale athletes gave us 9 of their most valued game-day rituals. Amen. Grant us the patience and the determination to face each question and challenges in life, as well as the ones in this competition. Strengthen my effort and focus when I train for my sport, and for the race I am running for the eternal prize. Let competition make me strong but never hostile. Most of all, help me never to quit in my efforts to be open to you. 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. Help us to be aware Amen. This doesnt mean that we spend our entire day with hands folded or held up to the heavens saying formal prayers. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Help us to conduct ourselves as you would, with grace and kindness. I Thessalonians 5 tells us to give thanks in all things. weeks and days before. Positive Parental Involvement In Sports, Spiritual Thirst A Reflection on the Samaritan, Your email address will not be published. Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more. Never catch me rejoicing in the adversity of others. Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you. The I Thessalonians 5passage tells us togive thanks in all things. Prayers as athletes who follow Jesus should be no different. How should we pour out our hearts before God so that we will be spiritually ready for competition? Here is a great prayer that you can pray before a game, competition, workout or even practice: 1.