7 Powerful Prayers for Football Players and Coaches

Over the last few years, prayer at a football game has become a political issue about religious freedom and the First Amendment (free speech). You may be asking, why do we pray before a football game?

In Philippians 2:3–4, we read, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

In this verse, we see that the reason to pray is not that we will win. We don't pray to ask that our interests be put against the interests of others.

Instead, we pray humbly that our players will live a life of integrity and that the hard work they have put in will be effective. For the Christian prayer is very important.

These can be private or public prayers. We believe in the power of prayer. Praying for our athletes is important. You might be looking for a team prayer or a coach's prayer.

If you are looking for a short prayer here are seven powerful prayer options for football players and coaches.

 

Prayers for football players

Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might." 

Dear Lord, today we are coming to you to pray a blessing over our football players. Help the players stand strong in their faith with courage.

May they have a spirit of sportsmanship, and may the players always be a good example to the rest of the school. Keep players away from temptations.

As they prepare for the game, help them focus and remain calm. May they use the great skill you have given them.

May they always be a trustworthy teammate and an example of how to be a young man of integrity. May each player reach the full potential you have created them to have?

Let them play to their full potential to the Glory of God. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

 

Prayers for a football team

Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching”

Dear God, I am lifting up the football team today. We know that athletes often have influence over other students.

May these players inspire others to greatness. We ask that you help the team practice good sportsmanship. Keep the locker room a place for good behavior.

May God help the young men on the team as they enter the field to have a good spirit for fair play. When the game ends, may the team always play with a thankful heart.

May they always support each other. May this team reach its full potential? We ask this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Prayers for the football game

Psalm 16:1 “Keep me safe, my God, for in You I take refuge.”

Dear Heavenly Father, we came to your throne before our football game today. We ask that you keep all players safe.

May each player on both sides return home safely after a good game. We ask that we have a fair game.

We are not asking to win. We are asking that everyone know that they gave it their all during this sports game in the spirit of healthy competition.

We thank you for the gorgeous weather we are experiencing right now and for all the families and businesses that came out to support us tonight.

I offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ on behalf of everyone present. May this game be an example of fair play and sportsmanship?

We plead this in the very powerful name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Prayers over the football field

Isaiah 40:29-31 “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even the youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on the wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”

O God, today I want to offer this prayer over the football field before the big game. We ask first for the dearest families in the stands.

They have watched their children practice, and they come to the game excited to see their children play. May they always remember that this game is not life. Keep them patient, kind, and cooperative.

For the coaches, we ask that they demonstrate the spirit of healthy competition, regardless of which team succeeds or loses.

May they show appreciation to all individuals, families, and organizations that came out to show their support for us tonight.

For the team, we ask that they play together as a team, with integrity, and with all of their ability. Please let them not quit, give in, or give in.

May they never take this opportunity for granted. We plead the blood of Jesus over this field today. On behalf of all those present, I offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.

 

Prayers for the high school football coach

Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

Lord, I come today to lift up our high school football coaches. These coaches inspire young people to live to their potential.

High Schools are places where it can be hard to know what the right thing to do is. These coaches are guides for young men in high school. May they help to build each player’s character, and boost their self-esteem.

May these coaches always be an example of having an even temper and remembering it’s just a game, and may they always treat each player on the team with the same level of respect.

Grant the coach’s patience; they will need much patience as they work with young men. Remind the coach that they must work to earn the player's respect.

Lord, whether the team wins or loses, may every student in the high school always see the coach as a man full of grace and integrity. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen

 

Prayers for football coaches

Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

God, today we want to bring all football coaches to your throne. God, please give strength to the coaches, as they are under a lot of strain.

Many times, parents and fans will yell at the coaches during the game. I ask you, God, that you will give all of the coaches a firm belief in you. I offer prayers for their spouses and families.

It must be difficult for them to listen to those foul remarks from the spectators. Help the fans see and understand that these football games are just that—games—to them.

Give them wisdom today as they make choices for their team players. God, I also ask for protection for these coaches. Please protect the mental, physical, and emotional needs of my coaches.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.

 

Prayers for the upcoming football season

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”

Dear Heavenly Father, today we want to pray for the upcoming football season. We bring all the teams and all the players to you, and as for Protection from harm and mishaps, Give them a shield of protection all throughout the game.

We ask you, God, to help each player maintain a strong, flexible body that will help them perform to the best of their potential.

Give each player the chance to demonstrate their abilities and contribute to the team's overall success. We ask for team unity and harmony so that they can support one another and work as a cohesive unit.

May their abilities work well together to provide a powerful and successful performance. We ask you God that this season will be free from any serious injuries from any player.

In this upcoming season, may all players feel at peace and enjoy the game. And may the coaches have wisdom in the choices they make.

Help the parents and fans remain calm in the stands. May this upcoming season bring Glory to God. We ask all this in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

Final thoughts:

There are many different dangers that athletes face. Whether it be for the possibility of sickness, injuries, or bad feelings, As Christians, we believe in the power of prayer, so we ask the Lord to protect the young athletes emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Perhaps you could quote the Lord's Prayer, or you could use some of the prayers from this blog. Either way, the important thing is that we remember the great privilege it is to bring our athletes to the throne of God.

We are not coming to ask for victory for our favorite team. We are coming to ask for a calm, peaceful, and safe season.