The NFL draft 2016 season is an exciting time not only for Heisman Trophy nominees but also for football stars who wish to make it to the big league. With the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Carolina Panthers and New York Jets actively seeking fresh talents in their roster, the likes of Carson Wentz, Joey Bosa and Paxton Lynch will not go unnoticed. In fact, even Super Bowl 50 champs Denver Broncos are looking into ways to add players worthy to be the successor of Peyton Manning.

Regardless of the talent a player has in the gridiron, a prayer uttered before and after games can definitely help their confidence. In the past, famous stars have been known to offer a few words of thanksgiving and requests to the Almighty in an effort to ensure a good and safe game. Stars like Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks and Drew Bees of the New Orleans Saints are known to lead prayers in their team. Of course, Tim Tebow is one of the most widely recognized football stars who offer prayers before and after games.

Here are sample prayers for athletes.

Athlete's Prayer I

Gregg Easterbook

God, let me play well but fairly.

Help me to learn something that matters once the game is over.

Let competition make me strong but never hostile.

Always let me help my opponent up

Never catch me rejoicing in the adversity of others.

If I know victory, allow me to be happy; if I am denied, keep me from envy.

Remind me that sports are just games.

If through athletics I set an example, let it be a good one.

Amen

Athlete's Prayer II

Unknown

I thank you, O God, for giving me a body which is specially fit and strong, and for making me able to use it well.

In my training, help me never to shirk the discipline which I know that I need and that I ought to accept.

In my leisure and in my pleasure, help me never to allow myself any indulgence which would make me less fit than I ought to be.

When I compete with others, help me, win or lose, to play fair.

When I win, keep me from boasting. When I lose, keep me from making excuses.

And help me always with good will to congratulate a better player who beat me.

Help me so to live that I will always have a healthy body and a healthy mind

This I ask for your love's sake.

Amen

Athlete's Prayer III

Sandy Dow Mapula

It was right before the big one and the football player said,

Excuse me guys for just a sec while I bow my head.

And in the quiet of that room

The football player prayed,

Oh God if nothing, hear me now

I know that fate is made.

So help us Lord to win this game,

It's the big one, man, you see,

If we lose this game that's it for us,

Please do this, Lord, for me.

And as his body knelt in prayer,

He looked up to the sky,

And while I'm here, and have some time,

I need to ask you why?

They say you never help teams win,

Just do it once I pray,

We will pay you back in kinder deeds

Or in another way.

The reason I can't help you win,

The Lord just replied,

Is as you are asking me to win

So is the other side.

I'm everybody's father and

I must not take one side,

So games are played all on your own

Or they would all be tied.

But that doesn't mean you shouldn't pray,

He answered him with care,

You can pray that players don't get hurt

And that all the calls are fair.

And then I won't just watch the game,

I'll bless it with my care,

Because dear son you need to learn

That life's not always fair.

And while the player heard this voice,

He bowed his head in prayer,

I pray for fairness, said the boy

And for your tender care.

You shall be blessed, the Lord replied,

Your team and you the same,

And now will you excuse me boy,

I cannot miss this game.

Meanwhile, here are inspiring Bible verses that athletes can turn to in times of struggles in both their training and in the actual games. These Scriptures can help encourage sportsmen to never lose sight of their goal. Moreover, those Bible verses can remind them that God is always watching over everyone.

1. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27

Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

2. Isaiah 40:29-31

He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

3. Ecclesiastes 9:11

Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.

4. 2 Timothy 2:5

An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

5. Hebrews 12:11-13

All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.