Daily Prayer Calendar - December

(Prepared by Lilian Schmid)

December - Sport and Recreation

Daily Prayers in December

31 Days of Scriptures for Meditation on the Spheres of Sport and Entertainment

  1. The Bible speaks often of athletic analogies and stories as encouragements for persevering. There are many verses that can offer athletes motivation and inspiration for training and competition. Remember that whether you win or lose, God can be glorified through your hard work and effort!
    Deuteronomy 31:6
  2. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us," Hebrews 12:1
  3. "But those who hope in the LORD
    will renew their strength.
    They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint."     Isaiah 40:31
  4. The Bible offers many valuable quotes and verses on strength and encourages us to be strong in our faith and our daily walk with Christ.
    If you are struggling to find the words to pray, use our prayer for strength and discover the healing power of prayer.
    "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13
  5. The Need for Self-Discipline
    "24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
  6. "My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." Psalm 119:28
  7. "9 But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
  8. "But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me." Psalm 22:19.
  9. "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense ; he has become my salvation." Isaiah 12:2
  10. "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being," Ephesians 3:16
  11. "The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights." Habakkuk 3:19
  12. As an athlete you must preach to yourself it's all for God's glory and not my own. I shall honour the Lord and not myself.
    "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
  13. "'Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the Lord." Jeremiah 9:23-24
  14. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
  15. Safeguarding Children in Sport
    Pray for all children who are involved in sport activities.
    Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us:
    "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
    Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
    For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
    Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.
    Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
    Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.
    For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
    In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
    Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
  16. Pray for Sport's chaplains across Australia -
    Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name.
    Thy Kingdom come.
    Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread.
    And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
    And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
    For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory for ever.
    Amen.
  17. Pray for all Sport's coaches, players, events, all participants across Australia -
    Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day and the opportunity You have given us to participate in this sporting event.
    Lord, watch over these players and keep them safe from harm as they test their skills against each other.
    We ask that You help the players, coaches, officials and parents treat each other as they would want to be treated - with respect, love, understanding, patience and appreciation.
    With your assistance, we can together be a shining example of our Christian faith and ideals.
    Finally, give all of us the wisdom to make sportsmanship, the enjoyment of competition and the lessons learned from competition more important than the final score of the game.
    In Jesus' name we pray.
    Amen.
  18. Sport: School of Virtue - A Field of Christian Mission
    To foster a sports culture, as a means of bringing about the holistic growth of the person at the service of peace and brotherhood between peoples.
    No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
    "Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees." Hebrews 12:11-13
  19. We need a good foundation for the Study of Sports & the Christian Spiritual Life: our hope is that the community of believers might come to view their participation in sports not as yet another activity on an already busy schedule, but instead as an intentional and active desire to encounter the sacredness of Christ amidst even the most seemingly profane activities.
    "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?
    You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body."     1 Corinthians 6:19-20
  20. Sport at the Service of Humanity - guiding values that articulates how sport and faith can harness their combined influence to serve the greater good.
    "If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.
    The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.
    Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this."     2 Timothy 2:5-7
  21. An Athlete's Prayer - Words of Champions
    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 a game to play just one day at a time.
    With Thee as coach and trainer, Lord, real victory must be mine.
    www.appleseeds.org/athlete prayer.htm
  22. Discipline & Knowledge for Athletes
    Lives lived with discipline and knowledge are of great worth and lead to profound success.
    In today's competition, apply your heart to the discipline of your game with all your heart, soul and mind.
    Pursue the goals you have set as an individual and as a team.
    Apply your ears to working out the wise game plan as outlined by your coaches.
    Proverbs 23:12
  23. The spirit of Competition
    "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24
  24. A Prayer for Those Involved in Sports
    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.
    www.marquette.edu/faith/prayers-sports.php
  25. Christmas Day
    Give thanks for the Prince of Peace who came to give us the gift of eternal rest with Him
    "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
  26. Boxing Day
    Sport is often seen as a means for many to rise above their limited circumstances and achieve a level of recognition or even stardom. Boxing Day is traditionally a day for opening collection boxes to distribute funds and gifts to the poor. Pray for those seeking opportunities that they are guided in the best direction for them to find God and have a great purpose in life, but also for their protection from forces that would seek to take advantage of them and destroy their hopes.
    Boxing Day is also special to Sydneysiders as it is the opening day for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race. Pray for the crews that participate in this race and for their safety.
    May God be glorified above men.
  27. Pray for all gyms and recreation facilities across the Country-
    Pray that they are free from drugs, or illegal substances.
    Let integrity and respect be part of their ethical practices.
    "57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." I Corinthians 15:57
  28. Uphold these below in your prayers - Psalm 91
    • Pray for sportspeople in your congregation
    • Pray for local sports clubs in your community
    • Pray for sports activities you could run to engage with your community
    • Pray for sports events coming up
    • Pray for sports ministries
  29. Pray for the Minister of Sport in Australia and other countries
    Read the Beatitudes and pray that God bless everyone in leadership in the department of Sport in this nation, pray for their families and wise decisions to be made in regards of this sphere.
  30. Vatican City, Aug 21, 2016 / 08:27 am (CNA/EWTN News).-
    While Pope Francis has often spoken about sports as a means of fellowship and fraternity, the message has a special resonance in his August prayer intention, which coincided with the Rio Summer Olympics.
    Released just a few days before Rio 2016 began, the Pope's prayer video for the month shows athletes displaying their skills at different sports, while the Pope, sitting at his desk, offers his prayer that sports would be an opportunity for encounter and fraternity. Watch the video and pray for all church leaders to support their people in prayers -
    www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMfsnLsekQU
    Though Pope Francis' video focused on his universal intention of sports as a means of encounter, his missionary intention is dedicated to "Living the Gospel," specifically asking "that Christians may live the Gospel, giving witness to faith, honesty and love of neighbor."
    (From catholicnewsagency.com)
  31. New Year's Eve
    Pray for peace through Christ in the lives of all who have no peace.
    John 14:27

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