A Biblical Approach to Parenting Your Athleteಮಾದರಿ

## Let’s Pray! Prioritizing prayer for your kids

READY

> -“…pray constantly…”1 Thessalonians 5:17

SET: Prayer is a conversation, not a transaction, with God.

I’m married to a prayer warrior. She believes in prayer, she practices prayer, and she is empowered by prayer. When the kids were young, she was notorious for her nighttime prayer raids---crawling on her knees from bed to bed, praying while our four children were asleep. She has prayed for base hits and touchdowns and made free throws. She’s prayed for injury prevention and her children to just get in the game. She’s prayed on most high school fields and courts close to our hometown and in college stadiums throughout the Atlantic Coast Conference. I’ve learned a lot about prayer by watching and listening to my wife pray for and with our children. She has praised God for amazing victories and has sought God’s comfort for distraught children after a loss. She has faithfully modeled the command in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray constantly.” It’s no wonder that our children have all been greatly impacted by the mother's prayers.

Why should parents pray with and for their athletic children? Because Jesus commanded that we pray, Jesus modeled how we should pray, and our prayers move God. It’s not so much that we are trying to change the heart and mind of God with our prayers, but rather our hearts and minds are being changed when we pray. True prayer brings alignment with God’s will being accomplished “on earth as it is in heaven.” Prayer is the conduit through which we get in sync with the will of God.

Prayer is mysterious yet miraculous. You can experience it, and prayer will incredibly transform your life. Ask God to help you better understand the mystery of prayer by discussing the Bible verses below.

WORKOUT: Bible Discussion

James 4:3

1 John 5:14-15

Ephesians 6:18

Philippians 4:6-7

GO

1\. What is something you learned about God or His character from the verses provided?

2\. How might Philippians 4:6-7 settle you when you experience stress during a game?

3\. The Bible teaches us that God is not a celestial Santa Claus or magic genie obligated to fulfill your every wish, but a good and wise Father who wants to be in a relationship with his children. How do these verses encourage you to approach God as a good Father?

OVERTIME: Practice Session

1\. Ask your athlete child permission to pray with you on game day. If you’re not used to praying out loud with your child, you could pray something like: “Dear Lord, please keep (their name) from any serious injury today. Will you help them be a great teammate---that they might represent you well, no matter what happens during the game? Will you help them exhibit grace and sportsmanship to the refs and opponents? I’m also asking you to calm their nerves and mine. Please help (their name) play with great effort and determination. Help them know what a blessing they are to me---but more importantly, help everything (their name) does on the field (or court) be pleasing in your sight. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.”

Let’s Pray! Prioritizing prayer for your kids