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It is the middle of spring sports season here in Loudoun County. Families everywhere are running from practices to games to swimming lessons and back again trying to squeeze in more activities than most have in the last two years.
There are so many gifted and talented students at St. Matthew’s and we thank God for their ability to participate in sports and activities today, so they may use those talents and play in a Christ-like manner, fostering goodwill and teamwork. We encourage everyone to pray for student athletes and for parents who may be weary from juggling day-to-day life and the addition of extracurricular activities.
FOR ATHLETES
Pre-Game prayer (from the College of Notre Dame)
Please bless today’s game, our opponent, our team, and all watching our play.
Thank you for the opportunity to compete and bring out the best in each other. May
we play hard and fair. Please keep everyone safe from injury and harm. We pray in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit – Amen.
Post-Game prayer (from the College of Notre Dame)
Thank you, Lord, for the chance to compete and use our talents through sports. Remind us that we are called to give our best and to finish the race while caring for others along the way. We pray in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit – Amen.
Prayer for Sportsmanship Conduct
All-powerful Lord, help me to play the game with all my energy and strength. Help me keep my sense of humor during the stress of the game, and the grace to follow the rules. Settle my temper so that I treat everyone with courtesy. Fill me with endurance to keep going with all my energy all the way to the end of the game. Amen.
FOR PARENTS
Prayer for the Exhausted Sports Parent:
Heavenly Father, I come to you today, humble and exhausted, and ask that you carry my burdens. I pray that you lift my weary spirit and fill me with your love and peace so that I may be restored and renewed in body and mind. Amen.
Prayer for Sports Parent:
God, I thank you for the wonderful blessing it is to watch my children play sports. Thank you for the smile that it brings to their face and for the ways in which sports help them to grow in virtue and skill. I ask that as they participate you protect them from injury and harm and bless them with the grace to reach their full potential. Bless their coaches so that they may embrace their role and have the courage to always do what is right for the children you have entrusted to their care. Grant all sports parents the graces we need to be supportive and to have perspective. May we seek not our own will for our child, but yours, and in doing so be freed to let them enjoy this experience no matter the result. May each of us - child, coach, and parent - glorify you through our actions and come to know you better through this experience. I ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
MEMORY VERSES
Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
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We invite all athletes and families to wear your sports team jerseys to church, join us on Sundays if you’re able, and pick up a sports snack bag on your way to the game!
