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How do runners find fulfillment by just running? And, for context, how can it link spiritual beliefs and faith in running?
Running is not “just” running. Most people find fulfillment and a higher purpose by doing this sport.
Some athletes choose to bring their faith in God to the field. That’s why some athletes seek prayers and acing the game in God’s glory.
They rejoice and glorify God’s word, manifesting in the form of their performance.
Putting one’s spirit high to empower, make them confident with his presence, and help them compete with all their hearts. That’s how God’s powers bless you once you’re in prayer, full of faith, and striving to live a life glorifying him in everything you do.
But praying to God and hearing him call you to run doesn’t mean you’re going to be on the fast track—not just yet.
There may be challenges to push you to the edge giving you two options: to turn away from God because he put you to the test; or to turn in to him more and make yourself grow.
You have the freedom to choose. It is your choice to neither give up nor endure, but faith helps the burden lighten.
It is your choice to carry on looking forward to your end goal. Or to look back and may stumble upon running.
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3: 14)
You are not called to run for no purpose. So, times may challenge you and trigger your insecurities and doubts but focusing on one thing that lies ahead makes you reach your goal.
Forget the past and look to the future, working to the end of the race to receive the reward of God's heavenly calling through Christ Jesus.
Running is like the reflection of life. What you are physical reflects your metaphysical.
Take, for example, St. Sebastian, which will be discussed later in this article.
Your physical strength mirrors your spiritual strength. Likewise, your physical endurance reflects your spiritual endurance.
Also, rejoice when you face problems and trials, knowing that running can help you develop endurance. Your endurance along the way develops strength of character, and character increases your faith in salvation.
This hope does not disappoint in knowing God loves you—for He has given you the Holy Spirit to fill your hearts with His love.
Do what you can best —what a blessing it is to do your part. To endure challenges and struggles in life is difficult at times, but with the help of the Lord Jesus, you can overcome anything!
Pray and connect to the Lord. Then, run like a real champion and ace the game glorifying the Lord!
The prayers are presented to you now. Are you ready to deepen your relationship with God?
The Runner's Prayer
This runner's prayer is for you if you want a short, sweet, and straightforward prayer. It’s a quick prayer for runners, adapted from the original prayer, the Ultrarunner’s Prayer, written by Carolyn Erdman and Jay Hodde.
Lord, watch over me today as I run.
This is the day, and this is the time for the race.
Watch over my body.
Keep it free from injury.
Watch over my mind.
May I listen to the signals from within as I enjoy the scenes from without.
Watch over my spirit.
Watch over my competitors.
Remind us that we all are struggling equally.
Lord, let me win.
Not by coming in ahead of my friends but by beating myself.
Let it be an inner win.
A battle won over me.
And may I say at the end,
“I have fought a good fight.
I have finished the race.
I have kept the faith.”
The Ultrarunner's Prayer
If you want to dedicate more time to connect deeply to God, pray this original prayer written by the beautiful souls Carolyn Erdman and Jay Hodde.
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Whether you are a runner or a biker, submerge yourself in faith and let God bless you with his powers to run through the finish line!
Lord, watch over me today as I run.
I have paid the price to run this race through the summer heat, the winter winds, and up those hills.
There are other days and other races, but this is the day, and this is the time for this race.
Lord, watch over my body.
Keep it free from injury.
As I run, may the tiredness and the pain be the symbol of victory and not the reason for defeat.
May I acknowledge my limitations but not accept less than my potential.
Lord, watch over my mind.
May I be intelligent as I run.
May I listen to the signals from within as I enjoy the scenes from without.
Keep me from foolishness at the start so that I can finish with wisdom at the end.
Lord, watch over my spirit.
As time passes and my commitment dims and blurs, may the inner resources that You give me come forward and give me the resolve to press onward.
Remind me of the relative shortness of this race and life and the victory You give at the finish.
Lord, watch over my competitors.
As they face the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual challenges we all face, may they find the peace and strength that I have found through You.
Remind them that we all are struggling equally and that their personal Victory is a result of your guidance.
Lord, Watch over the trails and mountains.
As they seek to challenge me, may they also offer havens of comfort and shelter from storms.
Please allow me to seek out that shelter and give me time to enjoy the boundless beauty they possess.
Let the mountains offer me a test and a challenge but also a passage through which I may safely pass.
As I continue to press to the summit, may the trail lead me where You want me to go.
Lord, let me win.
Not by coming in ahead of my friends but by beating myself.
Let it be an inner win. A battle won over me.
May I say at the end,
“I have fought a good fight.
I have finished the race.
I have kept the faith.”
Patron Saint of Runners
Who would have believed that there’s also a Patron Saint for runners? Christian faith always gets their strength by praying to those Saints to intercede for them.
As long as something inspires their souls and strengthens them to believe in God, the Christian faith is diverse and is not limited. All you have to do is trust and keep living a life glorifying God.
Meet St. Sebastian, the Patron Saint of Runners and Athletes.
St. Sebastian
St. Sebastian is the Patron Saint of Athletes, including runners. But, you may be wondering, how is that possible if he didn’t even participate in any sporting events or was not even an athlete before?
There are a few reasons why St. Sebastian was linked to sports and athletes.
St. Sebastian was a Christian before joining the Roman army. However, he was relatively known as a high-ranking soldier at that time—which you could imagine requires a good amount of strength and an excellent athletic physique.
Sebastian was mentioned in The Lives of the Primitive Fathers by Fr. Alban Butler, stating that Sebastian was:
“impeached before the emperor Dioclesian, who, having grievously reproached him with ingratitude, delivered him over to certain archers of Mauritania, to be shot to death. His body was covered with arrows, and he was left for dead. Irene, the widow of St Castulus, going to bury him, found him still alive, and took him to her lodgings, where, by care, he recovered of his wounds, but refused to fly, and even placed himself one day by a staircase, where the emperor was to pass, whom he first accosted, reproaching him for his unjust cruelties against the Christians. This freedom of speech, and from a person too, whom he supposed to have been dead, greatly astonished the emperor; but recovering from his surprise, he gave orders for his being seized and beat to death with cudgels, and his body thrown into the common sewer.”
St. Sebastian was commonly depicted as a handsome young man with a good athletic physique. You may usually see him in paintings tied in a tree, riddled with arrows.
He died a martyr fighting against Christian cruelties. His representation as the Patron Saint of Athletes is not only in physical strength.
St. Sebastian is also known for his spiritual strength and having died twice for his faith. His strength and supernatural endurance are great models for athletes in today’s time.
The following prayer is popularly used to intercede St. Sebastian by athletes and runners before the game.
Prayer to St. Sebastian
Intercede St. Sebastian, Patron Saint of Runners, and other athletes, like football players, into your prayers. You can also use this as a novena before your race.
Dear Commander at the Roman Emperor’s court, you chose to be also a soldier of Christ and dared to spread faith in the King of Kings, for which you were condemned to die. Your body, however, proved athletically strong and the executing arrows extremely weak. So, another means to kill you was chosen, and you gave your life to the Lord. May athletes be always as strong in their faith as their patron saint so clearly has been. Amen.
Prayer for Winning a Game
Pray for winning the game, not to compete and win against your fellow runners. But to compete and win against yourself.
Lord, thank you for the blessing of running that has helped me cultivate the best version of myself.
I pray that you help me enjoy this game and still glorify your name as I run.
Help me have wisdom and acceptance; I may be the first or not.
I know we are all winners in your heart, and I pray that you keep reminding me of that.
Run with me into victory, to win over myself and not the pride and ego of surpassing my fellow runners.
As you call me to run, fulfill my heart, and allow me to find purpose.
I pray that in everything that I do, I still embody your presence.
Please fill me with your glory and power.
I affirm that when I win, nobody has to lose.
When others win, I celebrate with them.
Lord, let all the glory be yours now and forever!
Amen.
Karen Hyman
Karen is a Psychic Medium, a Professional Astrologer, a Spiritual Advisor, and a Life Coach who has been in this career for 19+ years. She specializes in numerology, tarot and oracle cards, twin flames, love & relationships, zodiac, horoscope, dreams interpretation, and astrology. She aims to provide comfort and assurance using her abilities to offer answers to those who seek professional guidance. Read More About Karen Here.
