Prayer For Athletes Banquet
Heavenly Father, be with my young athletes as they test their physical skills.
Let them play well, but fairly.
Let competition make them strong, but never hostile.
Grant them the strength to best their opponent, and lead them to always help the
opponent up.
Grant them moments to rejoice, but not in the adversity of others.
Help them stay safe from injury, both physical and emotional.
Help them to learn something that matters once the game is over.
Help them remember that sports are just games.
If they know victory, allow them to be happy.
If they are denied, keep them from envy.
If through athletics, they set an example, let it be a good one.
In the name of Your Son, Jesus.
Amen.
God, let me play well but fairly.
Let competition make me strong but never hostile.
Forbid me to rejoice in the adversity of others.
See me not when I am cheered, but when I bend to help my opponent up.
If I know victory, allow me to be happy;
if I am denied, keep me from envy.
Remind me that sports are just games.
Help me to learn something that matters once the game is over.
And if through athletics I set an example, let it be a good one.
For I asked God for strength that I might achieve,
Instead I was made weak that I might learn to humbly obey.
I asked for help that I might do greater things,
Instead I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy,
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praises of men,
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for things that I might enjoy life,
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for, but everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were
answered.
Because I am among all athletes who have been most richly blessed: You see, I lost
by inches, but I won by a mile.
I thank you O God
for giving me a body
which is fit and strong,
and for making me able to use it well.
In my training,
help me never to shrink the discipline which I know that I need
and that I ought to accept.
In my leisure and in my pleasure,
help me never to allow myself any indulgence
which would make me less fit than I ought to be.
When I compete with others,
help me, win or lose, to play fair.
When I win,
keep me from boasting;
When I lose,
keep me from making excuses.
Keep me from being conceited when I succeed,
and from being sulky when I fail.
And help me always with good will
congratulate a better man who beat me.
Help me so to live
that I will always have a healthy body, and a healthy mind.
This I ask for Your love's sake.
Amen.
Help me to play the game, dear Lord, with all my might and main;
Grant me the courage born of right, a heart to stand the strain
Send me a sense of humor, Lord, to laugh when victory's mine;
To laugh, if I should meet defeat, without a fret or whine
Give me the grace to follow rules, to fess up when I'm wrong,
When silence or some other thing wins plaudits from the throng
When foes are tough and fighting fierce and I am getting weak,
Dear God, don't ever let me show a broad, bright, yellow streak.
And teach me, Lord, life's game to play just one day at a time.
With Thee as coach and trainer, Lord, real victory must be mine.
Thanks God, for giving me life; and talents for my participation in sports.
Help me to play well, to use my powers to the full, to see them as gifts from you.
Be with me when I need to play hurt, when I have to deal with the pain of injury,
disappointment, loss.
Keep me aware of the brotherhood/sisterhood I have with all athletes, even when
they are opponents; free me from the temptation to fake, to foul, to cheat.
I need to see that dedication to the cause will mean suffering, but let me know that
it is the kind of suffering that leads to new life and greater maturity.
Help me play with heart, and never lose heart.
Most of all, help me never to quit in my efforts to be open to you. For I believe your
full coming into my life is the way to real life, in all I do; I believe it is the way of my
becoming the truly human person you destined me to be.
Amen.
Dear God,
Today is game day and I place myself in your loving hands. Help me to be a good
sport. 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. I pray that all who play this game today
are protected from physical harm.
And, my Lord, help me to accept the bad breaks as part of the game. I pray that I
play to the best of my ability and to give honor to you by accepting my position and
my place in the lineup.
Loving God, I pray for those who watch from the stands that they, too, give glory to
you by accepting, without prejudice, the rules and decisions of the game today. May
their hearts be filled with joy and gladness that you have given them the ultimate
gifts they watch this day: the players.
Dear God, I pray for the coaches and referees that they too experience your loving
guidance in the decisions they make today. For those who work behind the scenes
to make this day enjoyable and for the founders and supporters of (Insert School/
League name).
Finally, I pray to you, Loving God, that you enjoy this game today and bestow on
each of us wisdom and acceptanceno matter the outcome of the final score. With
you in our hearts, we are all winners. Amen
O God, you gave us bodies
as well as minds and hearts
with which to praise and worship you.
Our sports and exercises are a fitting use of gifts
and talents you have given us.
Bless our workouts and the games we play,
and those with whom we exercise or compete.
Give us strength, endurance, courage
and agility as we compete or train.
Keep us safe and healthy as we celebrate
our physical and mental skills in sport.