Athletic Training.

Every athlete knows that there is much training to be done before competing. Dedication to your physical fitness and your relationship to God go hand in hand. The difference between a great athlete and mature believer is one and the same thing: DEDICATION. The discipline required to win a medal is the same that is required to enjoy the truth in the word of God.

Scripture is full of analogies and metaphors of athletics. Some of the passages in question seem to reflect the ongoing competitive sports during the New Testament time. Sports is not only what happens on the field during the day of competition but also the whole process of training, preparing, practicing, winning and losing. The Bibles uses this allegory to train us on all different kinds of competitions in life.

The 13 bible verses for athletes in the following paragraph highlight deep life and divine lessons that we can all learn from the sportsmen or sports women in the field. They encourage us to trust God, each other and be the best in every endeavor. It doesn't matter what you are preparing for, these bible verses will make an athlete out of you. Remember that whether you lose or win, God is glorified in what we do. (All verses are taken from Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA) version of the bible.)

1. Proverbs 3:5-6: “Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not upon thy own prudence. In all thy ways think on him, and he will direct thy steps.”
2. 1 Corinthians 9:24: “Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run that you may obtain.”
3. 1 Kings 18:46: “And the hand of the Lord was upon Elias, and he girded up his loins and ran before Achab, till he came to Jezrahel.”
4. 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
5. Colossians 3:17: “All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
6. Hebrews 12:1: “let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us”
7. Proverbs 27:17: “Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
8. 2 Timothy 2:5: “For he also that striveth for the mastery, is not crowned, except he strive lawfully.”
9. Matthew 23:12: “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled: and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
10. Proverbs 20:29: “The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.”
11. 1 Timothy 4:8: “For bodily exercise is profitable to little: but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”
12. Proverbs 11:2: “Where pride is, there also shall be reproach: but where humility is, there also is wisdom.”
13. Ephesians 5:20: “Giving thanks always for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the Father:”

A Prayer For Athletes

Heavenly father, thank you for the gift you have given me. You have taught me through your words the value of discipline and training. Today I ask that you would use me for your glory. Help me to also be disciplined in my walk with you. May you give me victory in the competition that lies ahead of me. I know there is nothing too hard for you. Make me an inspiration for others too. In Jesus' mighty name I pray. Amen