Sometimes we don’t have the words. So I’ve written some prayers real ones for athletes, coaches, teams, and anyone trying to live out their faith through sport. You’ll also find a few practical tools I’ve created or used along the way.
December 8, 2025
A Prayer for Selfless Leadership
Lord,
Teach me to lead with humility and strength.
Help me use my abilities to lift others, protect my team, and honour You in every decision.
Shape my character so that my leadership reflects integrity, courage, and kindness.
Amen.
December 6, 2025
A Prayer for Selfless Strength
Lord,
Give me a heart that protects, encourages, and serves.
Make me brave when others hesitate and humble when others watch.
Let my leadership reflect courage born from compassion.
Amen.
December 5, 2025
A Prayer for Honourable Work
Lord,
Teach me to value the work that builds character rather than comfort.
Help me honour the process, respect the effort, and contribute with humility.
Let my actions reflect purpose and integrity.
Amen.
December 4, 2025
A Prayer for Consistent Courage
Lord,
Give me the courage to stay committed even when the path becomes difficult.
Strengthen my resolve, shape my decisions, and steady my heart.
Help me act with integrity today and perseverance tomorrow.
Amen.
November 22, 2025
A Prayer for Shepherding Leadership
Lord,
Teach me to lead like the Good Shepherd with patience, compassion, and courage.
Give me eyes to notice who needs encouragement, ears to listen when others are hurting, and a heart that cares more about people than performance.
Help me become a teammate, coach, or leader who protects, guides, and inspires with love.
Amen.
November 21, 2025
A Prayer for Peace Under Pressure
Lord,
When pressure rises, steady my heart.
When fear whispers, speak louder.
Fill me with Your peace, the kind that doesn’t depend on winning, approval, or circumstances.
Help me bring calm to my team,
wisdom to my decisions,
and peace to every space I step into.
Let Your presence be my confidence today.
Amen.
November 13, 2025
Strength from the Vine
Lord,
Keep us connected to You in our victories and our valleys.
When fatigue sets in, renew our energy.
When pride whispers, remind us where our true strength lies.
Teach us to support one another as branches on the same vine.
May our lives bear fruit that reflects Your love and purpose.
Amen.
November 9, 2025
A Prayer for Focus and Faith
Heavenly Father,
Teach me to seek You first in all I do in training, in competition, in community.
Help me set priorities that reflect Your wisdom and grace.
When distractions pull me away, bring my heart back to what matters most.
Let my efforts bring You glory, and may my victories large or small, serve Your purpose.
Amen.
November 8, 2025
A Prayer for a Strong Foundation
Lord, make me a wise builder in every area of my life.
Help me build on the rock of Your truth, not on the shifting sands of fear, pride, or approval.
When challenges rise, remind me that storms reveal strength, not failure.
Guide my heart to stay grounded in faith, purpose, and love, the foundation that never fails.
Amen.
October 26, 2025
A Prayer for Influence
Lord, help me to be a positive influence in every place I go.
Teach me to be the salt that preserves integrity and the light that encourages and guides.
When I feel unnoticed or discouraged, remind me that impact is measured by faithfulness, not applause.
May my words, actions, and attitude reflect Your love and strengthen those around me. Amen.
October 19, 2025
A Prayer for Calm and Courage
Lord, when the pressure rises, remind me that I am never alone.
Teach me to breathe through the tension and to play with peace.
Let my confidence rest not in my ability, but in Your presence.
Help me respond with patience, humility, and trust, no matter the challenge.
When I am weak, be my strength; when I am restless, be my stillness.
In every test, let Your grace shine through me.
Amen.
October 13, 2025
A Prayer for Vision
Heavenly Father,
You are the author of all dreams and the light of every path. Grant me the wisdom to see beyond what is near, and the courage to move toward what is possible. Let my training, my choices, and my faith align with Your purpose. Teach me to prepare with diligence and to trust with patience. When uncertainty clouds my path, help me remember that Your vision for me is greater than any obstacle before me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
October 12, 2025
Lord, help us to find balance in the moments that test us.
Grant us clarity when pressure mounts,
Strength when fatigue sets in,
And patience when results are slow to come.
May our minds remain steady,
Our hearts grounded in purpose,
And our actions reflect both discipline and faith.
Amen.
October 8, 2025
Lord, renew the hearts of all who begin again today.
Grant them calm courage in the face of doubt, Strength to start slowly but faithfully, And wisdom to see progress in the unseen.
May every restart be filled with hope, Every effort with quiet purpose, And every setback with Your guiding hand.
Amen.
October 5, 2025
Lord, teach me to compete with grace and to succeed without arrogance. Let my actions reflect Your strength, not my pride. Remind me that humility doesn’t take away from my drive it purifies it.
May I honor You in victory and in defeat, and serve others through every moment of the game. Amen.
September 28, 2025
For Humility in Success
Lord,
We pray for every athlete who tastes success today whether it’s a win, a promotion, or a personal milestone. Keep their hearts humble and their eyes fixed on the bigger picture. Let victory never turn into pride, but into gratitude. May they see that every good gift comes from You. Amen.
September 27, 2025
For Courage in Struggles
Lord,
We lift up every athlete and coach who feels weighed down by hidden battles. Grant them courage to speak, strength to endure, and the peace that comes only from Your presence. Let them remember they are never defined by their struggles, but by the love You have for them. Amen.
September 22, 2025
For Balance and Peace
Lord,
We pray for athletes, coaches, and leaders who carry heavy loads. In the pursuit of excellence, help them not lose sight of balance. Let them find joy in the game, peace in their spirit, and strength to endure when pressures rise. Remind them that they are more than their performance, and that their worth rests in You. Amen.
September 21, 2025
A Prayer for Endurance
Lord, give these athletes endurance today not just in their bodies, but in their spirits. May they carry hope when fatigue sets in, may they remember why they began, and may they run their race with perseverance. Amen.
Isaiah 40:31 promises: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
September 19, 2025
A Prayer for Courage
Lord, give these athletes courage today courage to face the unknown, courage to try again after failure, courage to lead with kindness even when competition is fierce. May they find boldness not in themselves alone, but in the strength that comes from You. Amen.
Joshua 1:9 encourages us: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
September 18, 2025
A Prayer for Unity
Lord, today I lift up every athlete, coach, and team. May they not just play for wins but for each other. Build trust where there is doubt, encouragement where there is criticism, and love where there is division. Help them to see that true victory comes not from the scoreboard, but from how they honor You and one another. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Unity is one of the most powerful forces in sport. When a team is united, it’s unstoppable. Psalm 133:1 says: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
September 14, 2025
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Adversity is not a possibility in sports it’s a guarantee. Injuries, losses, setbacks, and criticism all come with the territory. What matters is how we respond. Consider Bianca Andreescu, who shocked the tennis world by winning the 2019 U.S. Open, only to face years of injuries and comebacks afterward.
Her persistence shows that resilience isn’t about avoiding struggles but continuing to rise through them. As James 1:12 says: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life.”
September 12, 2025
Discipline That Transforms
Kobe Bryant was famous for his “4 a.m. workouts.” He once explained that by starting earlier than everyone else, he created a rhythm of discipline that separated him. That level of consistency echoes the spiritual life too.
Discipline in prayer, reflection, and service shapes us over time into people of depth and strength. Hebrews 12:11 tells us, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace.” The athlete and the believer share this truth: discipline today prepares us for victory tomorrow.
September 9, 2025
Forgiveness on the Field
During a 2008 college softball game, Sara Tucholsky hit her first career home run but injured her knee rounding first base. According to the rules, her teammates couldn’t help her, or she’d be out. But two players from the opposing team carried her around the bases so her run would count. That act of sportsmanship became national news, a beautiful display of grace.
Colossians 3:13 calls us to, “Bear with each other and forgive one another… Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Their act of compassion showed that sometimes love matters more than the scoreboard.
September 6, 2025
Courage in Competition
Athletes step into arenas filled with pressure. The scoreboard, the crowd, the critics all of it can weigh heavily.
Today’s prayer is for courage:
“Lord, grant every athlete the courage to play with freedom and joy. Remove the fear of failure, the weight of expectation, and the pressure of performance. Remind them that their worth is not measured by wins or losses, but by who they are in You. May they compete with integrity, encourage their teammates, and walk away knowing they gave their best. Amen.”
August 31, 2025
The Cost of Sacrifice
Pat Tillman’s story is still one of the most striking examples of sacrifice in modern sports. He was an NFL star, playing for the Arizona Cardinals, with a $3.6 million contract ahead of him. After the attacks on 9/11, he shocked the world by leaving behind the fame, money, and security of professional football to enlist in the U.S. Army.
For Tillman, leadership wasn’t about being cheered on Sunday afternoons. It was about living his convictions, even when it cost him everything. He was eventually deployed to Afghanistan, where he lost his life in 2004. His story has sparked debates and different perspectives, but one truth remains: sacrifice is never easy, and conviction always comes with a price.
In our own way, we’re often faced with smaller choices that echo Tillman’s decision: choosing integrity over convenience, others over self, long term impact over short term comfort. His life asks us a simple but profound question what are we willing to sacrifice for what we truly believe in?
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” — John 15:13
August 30, 2025
Highs & Lows
Every pursuit whether sport, art, or work teaches us about rhythm, balance, and resilience. There will be moments of flow where everything feels effortless, and moments of struggle where each step feels heavy. Both belong. The highs remind us what is possible; the lows remind us what is necessary.
The lesson is this: success is never built on comfort. It is forged in the willingness to face difficulty with patience and to continue even when the reward is not immediate. Growth is rarely loud; it often feels slow, hidden, and unseen until one day it shows itself fully formed.
August 29, 2025
Everyday, Every time!
Every game whether it’s basketball, work, or life itself has a way of exposing weaknesses. A missed shot, a wrong decision, a painful loss all of these moments reveal where we are not yet strong. But weakness is not failure; it is feedback. It tells us where to train harder, where to pay attention, where to grow.
When you see mistakes not as shameful but as instructive, you unlock progress. Losing, in that sense, is never losing. It is simply learning.
August 28, 2025
Losing with Grace
At the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Joannie Rochette won bronze in figure skating just days after her mother passed away suddenly. She skated through tears, pain, and unimaginable grief. When she finished, the entire arena stood in silence, then erupted in applause. That wasn’t just about medals, it was about courage, grace, and the human spirit.
Her story teaches us that sometimes the real “win” is simply showing up and giving your best in the midst of heartbreak. Romans 5:3–4 reminds us: “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” Rochette’s skate was a living example of hope born through pain.
August 25, 2025
Losing with Dignity
In 2019, Bianca Andreescu shocked the world by winning the U.S. Open. What impressed me wasn’t just her victory, but Serena Williams’ response in defeat. Despite the heartbreak, Serena showed grace, congratulated Bianca, and encouraged her.
It was a reminder that true greatness is not just how we win, but how we handle loss.
Proverbs 24:16 says: “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” Rising with dignity whether after loss or setback is what separates good athletes from lasting role models.
August 24, 2025
Real Brotherhood
In April 2018, the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team was on its way to a playoff game in Saskatchewan when their bus collided with a semi truck. Sixteen people were killed, and thirteen others were injured. It was a tragedy that shook Canada and the entire sports world.
But what happened afterward was just as unforgettable. Within days, hockey arenas across North America were filled with tributes. Teams wore Broncos stickers on their helmets. Fans and players left hockey sticks on porches across Canada, a simple but powerful gesture to honor the lives lost. Donations poured in from around the world over $15 million raised to support the families.
Most of all, people came together. Survivors who had lost teammates found themselves lifted by the strength of strangers. Communities who had nothing to do with hockey found themselves wearing green and gold, saying, “We stand with you.”
That’s the power of team and community. It’s not just about who skates on the ice or wears the same jersey. It’s about a shared humanity, about stepping in when others are in pain, and reminding each other that none of us are alone. In sports and in life, true teams are built in those moments of crisis when words are few but presence means everything.
August 20, 2025
Servant Leadership
Super Bowl winning coach Tony Dungy is widely respected for his calm leadership style. Instead of yelling or intimidating, he led by serving, mentoring, and trusting his players. His book Quiet Strength is a testimony to the power of humility in leadership. Dungy believed that leading with faith and compassion wasn’t weakness it was true strength.
Leadership doesn’t need to be loud to be powerful. It’s about building trust and bringing out the best in people.
August 19, 2025
The Power of Mentorship
Legendary women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt won more than 1,000 games at the University of Tennessee, but her biggest legacy wasn’t in numbers it was in people. Many of her former players became coaches, leaders, and mentors themselves. Summitt was tough, demanding, but always rooted her coaching in care. She once said, “Winning is fun, but those moments that you can impact someone’s life are the real victories.”
Mentorship is multiplication. When we invest in others, the impact doesn’t stop with them it carries on to generations after.
August 17, 2025
Discipline & Dedication
Few athletes embodied relentless discipline like Kobe Bryant. Former teammates often told stories of how Kobe would arrive at the gym at 4 a.m., already sweating when others were just waking up. Even after injuries, he pushed through rehab with obsessive focus, never letting setbacks define him.
Kobe wasn’t perfect, but his example of persistence left a mark on athletes worldwide. His “Mamba Mentality” was never just about winning games it was about pushing the limits of what’s possible through discipline and hard work.
Dedication is a daily decision. What we practice in quiet moments often shows up when the lights are brightest. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:25, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
August 16, 2025
Team & Community
In 2018, the Humboldt Broncos bus crash shook Canada. Sixteen lives were lost, and the hockey community around the world rallied together through prayer vigils, fundraising, and support for the survivors.
It was a painful reminder that teams are more than groups of players; they’re families, and when tragedy strikes, the larger community steps in to carry the weight.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… not giving up meeting together… but encouraging one another.” Sports build community, but it’s love, presence, and encouragement that make those bonds unbreakable even in tragedy.
August 15, 2025
When Words Don’t Match Actions
In 2011, the Boston Red Sox had one of the most talented rosters in baseball and a strong start to the season. The clubhouse motto was about unity and grit, but behind the scenes, trust was breaking down. Reports later revealed that during games, some pitchers would stay in the clubhouse eating fried chicken and drinking beer instead of supporting teammates on the field.
That disconnect between the team’s words and its actions led to one of the worst late season collapses in MLB history, costing them a playoff spot. True “family” or “team” isn’t in the slogans it’s in the unseen acts of commitment and accountability. Without those, even the most talented groups can unravel.
August 12, 2025
Culture Over Comfort
I once coached a team that had incredible talent but an unhealthy culture. Players smiled in public but had no trust behind the scenes. Instead of pretending everything was fine, I decided to address it directly creating small group sessions where players had to share something they appreciated about each other and something they wanted to see improve.
At first, it was awkward. But over time, walls came down and relationships improved. Real connection often requires us to walk through discomfort first.
August 10, 2025
Team Culture That Lasts Beyond the Season
When the 2016 Chicago Cubs won the World Series, ending a 108 year drought, every player talked about the same thing how much they loved the team environment. Manager Joe Maddon created space for players to be themselves, whether that meant themed road trips, batting practice in pajamas, or giving rookies a voice in meetings.
Culture isn’t built in the championship game it’s built in the quiet, ordinary days when people feel safe to bring their true selves.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” — 1 Peter 4:8
August 7, 2025
More Than Matching Jerseys
In 2021, the Gonzaga Bulldogs men’s basketball team entered the NCAA tournament undefeated. What stood out most wasn’t just their skill but how they spoke about each other. Reporters noticed how players praised their teammates more than themselves. During practices, the energy wasn’t about ego it was about chemistry, gratitude, humility. Coach Mark Few had built a culture where each player knew they belonged and mattered.
This kind of culture doesn’t happen by accident. It’s shaped daily, through intentional language, shared accountability, and a commitment to something bigger than self.
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
— Romans 12:10
Team culture isn’t just about posters in the locker room. It’s how players respond when someone makes a mistake. It’s how coaches speak when no one is watching. It’s whether the least used player feels as valued as the star. When those things align, “team” becomes something sacred not just strategic.
August 5, 2025
The Power of Asking for Help
Canadian Olympic rower Marnie McBean once spoke about the moment she realized she needed therapy after retiring. For someone used to being strong, asking for help felt like weakness. But she says, “The moment I reached out, I found strength I didn’t know I had.”
As coaches and leaders, we often feel we must have all the answers. But the truth is, our vulnerability opens doors for others to grow. Your honesty might give someone else permission to seek help too.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
August 4, 2025
Don’t Call It “Family” If It’s Not Built on Truth
In many sports huddles, teams chant “family” at the end of practice. But over the years, I’ve seen how dangerous that word becomes when it’s used without integrity.
Real family in sport or life isn’t about slogans or matching jerseys. It’s about standing up for each other, honesty in conflict, and being there when things fall apart. I’ve been in places where that word was thrown around loosely, yet the actions behind it didn’t reflect unity at all.
If you’re building a team, a culture, or a ministry, remember: “family” isn’t a feeling, it’s a responsibility.
August 3, 2025
Praying for the Player, Not Just the Play
During the Tokyo Olympics, Canadian swimmer Penny Oleksiak posted that she wasn’t chasing records anymore she was focusing on mental health and loving the sport again.
That shift in mindset is what prayer helps us do. We often pray for wins or recovery, but true spiritual maturity is when you start praying to become whole, not just healed. For joy, not just outcomes.
“Do not be anxious… but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” — Philippians 4:6
Prayer refocuses our goals from performance to presence, from pressure to peace.
August 2, 2025
Reversing the Narrative
Catriona Le May Doan, two time Olympic speed skating champ, spoke candidly at McMaster’s Christian campus ministry about imperfection. She reflected on how faith helped her accept that even gold medals don’t make someone perfect.
Her spiritual posture: race not for approval, but for purpose. Instead of chasing perfection, she found peace in God’s grace covering imperfection.
Scripturally, Paul’s discipline is not about earning worth it’s about living out gratitude:
“Compete well for the faith” (1 Timothy 6:12) involves obedience, not striving for moral self righteousness.
Prayer becomes your internal compass, not a scoreboard.
August 1, 2025
Prayer That Carries Purpose
Laurent Duvernay‑Tardif, a Canadian NFL player and medical graduate, made headlines in 2020 by opting out of an entire NFL season to work in a Quebec long term care facility amid COVID‑19. He said:
“If I’m to take risks, I’d rather take them treating patients than blocking defenders.”
As a licensed MD, he could’ve avoided frontline duties but his actions reflected higher priorities: empathy, service, and conviction.
Prayer didn’t guarantee victory in his case. It guided decision making rooted in purpose more than performance.
July 30, 2025
Quiet Prayers on Loud Courts
Before every match, Coco Gauff now a rising tennis star says a simple prayer. Not to win, but to play freely and gratefully. “I just ask God to help me be calm and thankful, no matter what happens.”
At Wimbledon in 2019, as a 15 year old, she beat Venus Williams and captured the world’s attention. But in interviews, she was calm, grounded.
That’s what prayer does. It doesn’t always change the situation. But it changes you in the situation.
Whether you’re suiting up or stepping into a classroom, a quiet moment with God can reframe the whole day.
July 28, 2025
The Story of Giannis and His Quiet Prayers
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the NBA MVP from Greece with Nigerian roots, rarely speaks about faith in interviews. But those close to him say he never skips prayer before every game, every flight, every meal.
In 2021, after winning the NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis said:
“I’m just thankful to God. I was blessed with this opportunity. I always try to keep Him first in everything I do.”
His faith isn’t about performance. It’s about staying grounded when the spotlight is brightest.
We often associate prayer with asking for help. But prayer is just as powerful when it’s simply about gratitude.
July 27, 2025
Balancing Purpose and Profession
Janine Beckie, Canadian National Women’s Soccer forward, and Kayla Alexander, a veteran of Canada’s Olympic basketball team, have both spoken candidly about navigating performance setbacks through faith. Beckie shares how she prays for endurance, not spotlight; Kayla has repeated that injuries and disappointments don’t define you, God orchestrates purpose beyond pain.
In team settings, I’ve witnessed how these stories bring calm: when players face selection challenges or injury rehab, praying together helps them see a bigger picture not just a shorter season.
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” — Colossians 3:15
Prayer isn’t superstition it’s spiritual discipline that shapes perspective, not performance outcomes.
July 24, 2025
Prayer Before the Pressure
Prayer is often misunderstood in sport. Some see it as superstition. Others treat it like a performance ritual. But in truth, prayer is posture not a magic formula.
Take Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, the Quebec-born NFL player and trained physician. After winning the Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020, he shocked the sports world by stepping away from football to serve on the medical frontlines during COVID-19. He risked criticism, lost his starting position, and gave up everything he had worked for because he felt it was the right thing to do.
In interviews, he never framed it as heroism. He simply said:
“I had this inner conviction that I had to go.”
That’s prayer in motion. Not always spoken but deeply felt. A quiet moment between you and God, where decisions are shaped not by ego, but by integrity.
In my coaching experience, the most meaningful moments weren’t the pregame pep talks. It was the stillness after losses… the locker room after injuries… the uncertain decisions players wrestled with about their future. Prayer in those moments wasn’t flashy. It was honest.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
That stillness is a different kind of strength. It helps athletes and coaches reconnect with their deeper why. Because in sports as in life your soul needs conditioning too.
July 23, 2025
CFL Chaplains as Ethical Playmakers
A 2023 study by Western University explored CFL chaplaincy’s role in guiding players through ethical dilemmas and mental health challenges. In a world obsessed with wins, chaplains bring a moral compass helping athletes balance pressure, integrity, and identity.
That’s spiritual practice in action: developing strong inner ground so every choice, on and off the field, aligns with something deeper than the next contract something lasting.
July 21, 2025
The Huddle Before The Storm
Before every CFL game, Andrew Harris, a standout Canadian football player, led his team in prayer not for victory, but for unity, health, and purpose.
It’s a reminder that prayer isn’t a superstition. It’s realigning your mindset before the chaos begins. Prayer turns fear into focus.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
Even if you’re not religious, the pause before battle whatever your battle is, is powerful. It prepares your soul the same way a warm up prepares your body.
July 20, 2025
The Power of Being Steady
In the world of coaching, there’s often pressure to be loud, animated, and in control at every moment. But sometimes, the most meaningful impact comes not from motivational speeches or big decisions but from quiet, daily faithfulness.
One story that stands out is from Tim Burke, a former CFL coach who mentored young players during tough losing seasons. He wasn’t flashy, and he didn’t wear his faith on his sleeve but what players noticed was that he never wavered. No matter how the season was going, he showed up early, treated everyone with respect, and stayed grounded. That consistency, over time, created a foundation that players could lean on.
When asked about it later, one former player said:
“Coach never forced anything on us. But when you watched how he lived how he kept his cool, how he encouraged guys even when we were 1–7 you just wanted to know what gave him that strength.”
Burke once said in an interview:
“I believe God is with me whether I win or lose. And when you live like that, your identity doesn’t hang on the scoreboard.”
July 19, 2025
When Truth Costs You More Than Silence
There’s a fine line between support and silence and sometimes that line breaks right where honesty begins.
I’ve been in situations where I supported someone fully gave them opportunities, encouragement, and time and then spoke the truth they didn’t want to hear. Not out of frustration. Out of care. Out of responsibility.
And the response? Distance. Accusation. Words turned upside down.
It stung. Not because I needed to be right. But because I thought the relationship could carry honesty.
What I learned was this some people aren’t ready for truth, especially when it asks them to confront their own reflection.
But that doesn’t mean we stop speaking.
Ephesians 4:15 says to “speak the truth in love.” It doesn’t say everyone will receive it. It says to speak it anyway, and to do so with love not ego, not control.
As a coach, as a chaplain, as a human you won’t always be understood. But be steady. Say what matters with grace. And then step back and let people grow on their own terms.
Sometimes, letting go is the greatest form of love.
July 18, 2025
Stop Saying “Family” If You Don’t Mean It
One of the hardest things I’ve had to sit with as a coach is hearing teams shout “Family!” in the huddle when love, trust, and care were nowhere to be found.
It always rubbed me the wrong way. Not because the word is wrong, but because when it’s hollow, it hurts more than it helps.
I’ve challenged teams before: don’t just say it, live it. Look each other in the eyes. Be real. Show up. You don’t have to be perfect, but don’t pretend.
Family is sacred. In sports, it should mean accountability, sacrifice, and respect. If those things are missing, we’re just chanting empty words.
My prayer for every team I coach is simple: let’s build something real. Not just in playbooks and wins, but in how we treat each other when no one’s watching.
July 17, 2025
The Space Between the Whistle
When you coach, you plan every drill, prep for every scenario, try to keep everything under control. But there are moments in games or on road trips when things unravel. A missed shot. A bench disagreement. A player shutting down emotionally. And suddenly, the playbook feels useless.
I’ve learned something in those moments: prayer isn’t a grand act, it’s often the smallest pause. A deep breath. A hand on a shoulder. A quiet, “God, help me lead this moment well.”
I read how UConn’s Coach Geno Auriemma hugged his star player Paige Bueckers after a championship and whispered, “I love you.” That hit me. Because sometimes, the best coaching move isn’t tactical, it’s emotional. It’s soul-deep. That’s what I’m learning: the moments that matter most can’t be scripted. They can only be felt, and hopefully, filled with grace.
July 16, 2025
Road Games, Real Tensions
Travel days with a team are a different world. There’s no clocking out, just three/four days of constant presence, from early breakfasts to late night check-ins. You see athletes differently. They see you differently. And somewhere in that intensity, I always wrestled with who I was supposed to be.
Was I a coach? A mentor? A quiet observer? Sometimes, I didn’t know.
There were moments I pulled away, not because I didn’t care, but because I needed to stay grounded in who I was before I poured into them. And then there were other moments on buses, during meals, between games, where I showed up fully, laughed with them, challenged them, reminded them they mattered.
In those quiet pockets of uncertainty, I often whispered prayers I didn’t even know were prayers. Just asking God to help me balance the weight of leading and listening. I still don’t have it all figured out. But I know this: showing up, even imperfectly, matters.
July 15, 2025
Every Possession Was a Prayer
Championship games are pressure cookers. But in 2018, when our team at the University of Regina made it to the Canada West Final, it felt different. Every possession mattered. Every rotation. Every decision. We had poured so much into that season and now it was all on the line.
I didn’t plan to pray. But in that first half, I found myself almost whispering prayers under my breath on every offensive set and every defensive stop. Not because we were unprepared but because we were so ready. And I just wanted everything to come together for the players. For the work they had put in. For the belief they had in each other. Maybe a little for myself too.
It was one of the few moments in coaching where I felt the line between sport and spirit disappear. I wasn’t asking for miracles. I was just asking for peace in execution. It didn’t matter if the shot went in. I just wanted us to honor the work.
And sometimes, that’s what prayer is acknowledging that we’ve done everything we can, and now it’s time to trust.
July 14, 2025
When You’re Tired
There are days I don’t feel like praying.
Days I feel numb. Days I’m too exhausted. Days when it feels like God is quiet and the world is loud. And still I’ve found that on those days, something simple, something raw, is often enough.
This is a short prayer I’ve whispered to myself before practice, before coaching, before walking into hard conversations:
“God, I’m tired. But I’m here.
Help me give what I can today.
Help me see what You see.
Help me remember why I care.”
That’s it.
It’s not fancy. It doesn’t need to be. God doesn’t need perfect words. He responds to honest ones. If you’ve ever felt too tired to pray, you’re not a failure. You’re human. Speak from where you are.
And if you can’t even get the words out, just sit for a second and breathe. That’s a prayer too.
July 13, 2025
A Prayer Before the Game
Dear Lord,
I don’t know what this game will hold. I don’t know if I’ll hit every shot or miss the one that matters. But I give You my heart before I give You my performance.
Help me to play free not for approval, but from it. Not for applause, but because I am already loved.
If I fall, catch me. If I rise, humble me.
Let my effort be an offering. Let my sportsmanship be a witness.
Let my heart beat loudest not from adrenaline, but from Your Spirit.
Win or lose, may I reflect You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
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