30+ Inspiring Bible Verses for Athletes

Published January 10, 2024

I think we can all agree that being an athlete is not easy. Apart from the grueling training sessions, they must follow a stringent diet. Not to mention the anxiety and pressure of bringing home the gold. That’s why if people need inspiration right now, it’s them.

With that, here are inspiring bible verses for athletes to motivate, encourage, and uplift their spirits:

Bible Verses for Athletes on Game Day

1. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13
2. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. – 1 Corinthians 9:24
3. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even the youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on the wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:29-31
4. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. – Psalm 37:5
5. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. – Exodus 14:14
6. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. – Psalm 73:26
7. For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. – 1 Timothy 4:8
8. I pray that out of his glorious riches, He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being. – Ephesians 3:16
9. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
10. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. – Colossians 3:23-24
11. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6
12. You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. – Deuteronomy 8:17-18
13. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. – Psalm 3:6
14. The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand. – Psalm 32:23-24
15. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. – 2 Timothy 2:5
16. This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. – 1 John 5:4B
17. But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:26
18. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. – Hebrews 12:1-2
19. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12
20.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous … for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9

Bible Verses for Athletes After a Loss

1. 1. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
   2. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. – Isaiah 55:8-9
   3. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28
   4. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. – 2 Timothy 4:7
   5. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. – Hebrews 12:11
   6. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28
   7. I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. – Psalm 118:13-14
   8. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:18
   9. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7
   10. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. – James 1:2-3
   11. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:3-6
   12. The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1
   13. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. – Hebrews 10:35-36