Ready:
"Pray constantly." — 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Set:
Many teams have a team prayer before competition. The prayer often recited by teams is "The Lord’s Prayer” from Matthew 6:9-13. It’s a good prayer. Most know it from memory. At a deeper level most players say silent prayers asking God for victory and safety. It seems the only way we measure effective praying is if we win and we don’t get hurt. In some places prayer might be discouraged, and yet others believe prayer has no impact on the game. But many find prayer to be valuable and beneficial. Be encouraged that praying about competition is a good thing.
Prayer is vital and beneficial for every competitor. The Bible verse from 1 Thessalonians 5:17 is straightforward and clear, “pray constantly.” But that doesn’t mean you need to constantly be praying during your competition. You’ve got competition in front of you. You need to be fully alert and engaged in the game.
What it does mean is to have a mindset that in everything and for everything, be prayerful. It’s a predetermined choice believers make that for them everything will be Christ-centered. Being prayerful is coming before Him and living from His presence and His perspective. In other words, as you play, you are playing for Him and His honor. He made you and He gave you your skills and abilities. How you play directly impacts His honor and glory. Keep putting a smile on His face by how you have determined to participate and play.
Are your attitudes and actions good, correct, sportsman-like, of high character, with a competitive spirit, with an “all in” effort in the game and even in practices? An attitude of prayer helps you be mindful of these aspects. It’s a heart and mind perspective. It’s going through the day, through practices, through games, without interruption, that your mindset is for God, with God, from God. So, we say, “pray to play”. It’s God’s way for athletes.
Go:
What do you silently pray before competition? What are you really focusing on?
Are you mindful of Jesus Christ by your attitudes and actions?
How can you incorporate more prayer into your play and day?
Workout:
Overtime:
“Lord Jesus, I need Your help to be a player who prays. I need to learn how to pray, how to have an attitude of prayer in every day and every moment. Bring the fruit and result of a healthy attitude of praying into my playing, that I will have Your perspective and that I will honor You. Thank You in advance for Your help. In Jesus’ name, amen.”