Competing Like a Christian

After Competition

How do we compete like a Christian? Does the way we practice and compete look different from someone who doesn’t follow Jesus? Here are some ideas for how Christians should think and act when it comes to sports.

Compete Without Fear: The Bible says that perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). Do I know that God loves me? Do I know that He knows me by name? Do I know He wants what is best for me? Knowing God’s love will deepen our own love for Him. Fear and anxiety can wilt away when we truly believe that God loves us.

Knowing God Is in Control of the Results: I often talk with other athletes about what God controls. Does He decide who wins or loses? If He does, why bother training—why not just sit back and do nothing? The truth is that God is in control of everything, even small things like a coin toss (Proverbs 16:33).

This is great news for Christian competitors! We don’t have to worry about the outcome because the King of the universe is in charge. But God also calls us to work hard. In Colossians 3:23, Paul tells us to "work with all our heart, as if working for the Lord." While we don’t know how things will turn out, we honor God by doing our best with the gifts He has given us.

Pray for Success: Should I pray for victory? The Bible says that our Father is a good father who loves giving good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11). So, I pray that I will win while also trusting that God’s plans are best—even if I don’t win. This was the mindset of Jesus when He faced death. He asked God to take away the suffering but also expressed a desire for God's will to be done (Luke 22:42). It is good to pray for success and then trust in God with the outcome.

Praying for His Game-Plan: God has often shown me specific technique and strategies for competition. One year I wrestled a very experienced wrestler two months before the Olympics. I struggled to score and lost the match 0-2. After that, I asked God to help me find a way to score. While I was preparing for the Olympics, I felt like God gave me an idea of how to defeat him. I trained for it and it was the way I scored against him at the Olympics.

As Christian competitors, our faith shapes the way we train, compete, and pray. We trust God’s love and sovereignty. We work hard to honor Him. We seek His guidance in both success and challenges. We reflect His character in all we do. This is how we fulfill our God-given purpose—not just in sports but in every aspect of life.

Action Points:

• Get to know God more and experience His love. Cast all your worries on Him because He cares for you!
• Pray before and after you compete, thanking God for His blessings and love.
• Ask God to reveal His game-plan for you. Be prepared for Him to speak through His Word, circumstances, and other people.

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for making me courageous and bold. And thank you for revealing your game-plan to me in every competition. Please glorify yourself in me. In the name of Jesus, amen.