Dear Christian athlete,

By rooting your gameplay in the Word of God you can make an impact on the world good and the Gospel. Remember Tim Tebow?

Tebow was known for his outspoken faith and for often writing Bible verses on his eye black. During the 2009 college football national championship game, he chose to display John 3:16. What happened next was incredible. Fast forward three years to a playoff game where Tebow was playing for the Denver Broncos. After a victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers, his PR representative pointed out some uncanny statistics from the game: he had thrown for 316 yards, his yards per rush were 3.16, and his yards per completion were 31.6. Coincidence? I don’t think so.

As a Christian athlete, you have a voice and an opportunity to be a light for Jesus. Whether you're playing in front of thousands or just with a few friends, your actions and attitude can speak volumes about your faith. Now, let's get into the verses that can help you do just that.

Deuteronomy 31:6 - "Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

Isaiah 40:31 - "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - "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. 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. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

Galatians 1:5 - “To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Ecclesiastes 9:10 - “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”

Hebrews 12:1-2 - “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

What are some of your favorites bible verses for game day? Share them in the comments below!