St John Bosco, who spent his life working with tough boys in nineteenth-century Turin, used games, music and sport to reach them. He said the boys should not only be loved, but know they are loved. That is a good coaching philosophy.
Historical Context
Paul, writing to Timothy, said that “bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things.” He wasn’t against sport; he was putting it in its place. A good coach teaches both, and knows which one lasts.
A Coach’s Prayer
Lord, thank you for trusting me with these players.
Give me wisdom in what I teach and how I teach it.
Help me be fair, patient and honest,
demanding without being cruel.
Let every player leave my team a better person than they arrived,
whatever our record.
St John Bosco, pray for me.
Amen.
Before a Game
Lord, keep both teams safe today.
Give my players confidence, focus and joy.
Help me make good calls and keep my temper.
Let us compete with honour.
Amen.
After a Tough Loss
Lord, we lost, and it hurts.
Help me say the right thing to these players tonight.
Turn this loss into something they’ll learn from.
Amen.
For Youth Coaches
Lord, these are children.
Let me never forget that.
Keep them safe, keep the game fun, and let every kid get a chance.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer
- Before the first practice of the season.
- Before games and tournaments.
- After a loss, before talking to the team.
- On 31 January, St John Bosco’s feast.
Scripture Connection
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6
Coaches are trainers in the most literal sense. Proverbs reminds them that what they teach outlasts the season, so the lessons about character matter more than the plays.
Related prayers
For the sports themselves, see the Basketball Prayer, Baseball Prayer and Softball Prayer. For St John Bosco, the Saint John Bosco Prayer.