Does God have a place in sports?

Steve Lyston, Contributor

In sports, everybody wants to be a winner! There are numerous victories, defeats and all the emotions that go along with and surround the sporting arena.

Everyone who is involved in sporting activities, from the sponsors to the coaches to the fans, want to know that they or the players and athletes they support will win. But it is important for all involved in sports to include biblical principles.

Isaiah 48:17 says, "Thus says theLORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'IamtheLORDyour God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go'."

This clearly shows us that if biblical principles are applied in sports it will bring tremendous profit in every capacity. We cannot leave God out of sports. In addition to that, God empowered each player, each athlete, with the equipment (body), He gave each one the tools with which to formulate the tactics and strategies - the formations, plays, and speed with which to function. Furthermore, He gives the insight and intelligence to achieve great things.

Many times, various persons are selected to join or head the delegations and management teams that work with the various players/athletes. You will even see yoga specialists, health and fitness gurus and doctors, but what is not seen is a spirit-filled chaplain.

Spiritual Strategies

Some things as simple as fasting and prayer can give you great victory. A 21-day fast releases tactics and strategies. three-day fasts release favour against difficult opponents. Hearing from God is the key to victory and will allow you to choose the right team.

Picking a team goes beyond talent and performance; but those who are more focused and favourable will win.

We have seen many persons who have applied God's principles and have been successful - Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin. Even the Ravens, who brought on the upset in the Superbowl 2013, were inspired by Psalms 91.

For the Jamaica Reggae Boyz to achieve victory and maintain it, they must continually be inspired.

Solutions

During the tenure of Rene Simoes, he was inspired with the word 'Jesus Saves'! Now, we need an inspiring tag line for the team, for example, "With God all things are possible!" They also need to fast at least two weeks before the match, divide the team into two groups to pray and seek the Lord. They also need to shift the players around.

There needs to be one-on-one sessions on a daily basis with the players to deal with their daily mindset. More player input along with the tactics and strategies which the team should apply - not just to rely on the manager or coach.

For the team to gel and become a cohesive unit, there is need for greater bonding. Talent and money cannot be the motivating factors in team selection. There must be a genuine love for the sport and the country. Efforts must be made to promote loyalty to the team, the goals and visions of the team and to the country for which they play.

In order to get greater commit-ment from them and a greater love among them, apply a different strategy; encourage them to interact with and play against high-school teams, prep-school teams, and little-known clubs. This will keep stirring a fire within them and it will serve to sharpen their skills, and give them the opportunity not only to be mentors to an upcoming generation, but will also renew their focus and allow them to identify future team members.

The lifestyle of each and every player is important, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and Hebrews 12:1 remind us.

Finally, equal emphasis must be given to the netball players and other girls' teams. They are equally important and should not be neglected.

Steve Lyston is a biblical economics consultant and author of several books, including 'End Time Finance' and 'The New Millionaire'.