When I was playing professional lacrosse, I was the only Christian on the team (as far as I know). I felt God placed me on the team to be a light. As the token Christian player, my teammates designated me to do the team prayer. Usually, if it was a big game, a player would say something like, “Pray a good one Dan. This is a huge game!” The mentality was that my good prayer would lead us to victory; a bad prayer would lead to defeat. Some people think of prayer as a lucky rabbit’s foot. Prayer is not a good-luck charm. However, athletes and coaches do believe a quick prayer before competition will bring a favorable outcome.

Prayer is a battle not a good-luck charm. In Ephesians 6:18-20, Paul uses the word “prayer” four times after revealing the armor of God. Once we have God’s equipment, Paul urges us to pray, and not a quick pre-game prayer. Paul challenges us to pray without ceasing. Oswald Chambers says, “Prayer is not an exercise, it is the life.” Constant, ongoing, pervasive prayer is tough work. Prayer is our digging below the surface, and God’s revealing of His character.

I believe in prayer before competition. Not to ask God for His blessing, but for Him to reveal Himself to us. I pray to know Him better after a competition, that He would shine through me, and I would feel His pleasure. I pray for protection and safety for everyone. And I ask to be shown what it means to win God’s way.