Tom Osborne was one of the most successful coaches in college football history. During his 25 seasons as head coach at Nebraska, he won three national championships and thirteen Big 8/Big 12 conference titles. Osborne believed his morning routine was a key factor in his success. Here’s how he began each day during his career.

“I rise at 5:30 a.m. each day and spend 45 minutes in prayer, meditation, and the scriptures, and I have found that this has become the most important part of my day. Often during preparation for a particularly important game, it was convenient to maintain that I was “too busy” to prepare spiritually, as well. There was often not enough time in the day to prepare thoroughly for an opponent, particularly a powerful one. I often felt self-imposed pressure to watch more films, think of all eventualities, and spend more time in meetings. However, I learned over time the more pressure I was under, the less I could afford to ignore my spiritual life.”

John 17 – Pray Regularly

Besides praying for himself, Coach Osborne prayed for each of his 100-plus players by name every morning. Jesus also prayed that He and his followers would glorify the Father, John 17. This is often called Jesus’ High Priestly prayer, which took place on the eve of his arrest and trials. Jesus also prayed for future believers of every age, which includes all of us.

Christ prays for unity that can supernaturally be seen in the Godhead (17:21-23). The closer we are to Christ, the closer we become to one another. Dr. Michael Horton sums this up well, “Everything Scripture proposes to be believed and practiced is essential—not equally essential but essential, nonetheless. Christ is king, and we are not in any position to choose which of His decrees we consider binding. Let us then have the humility to submit our consciences to God’s word together, to remain open to the mutual correction of each other by that word, in dependence on the Spirit of truth, so that we might in truth show in all things, charity.”

 The Kingdom Coach and Athlete selflessly pray regularly for themselves, their teammates, and others to experience unity with the Lord in knowledge and love as they glorify Him.

Journaling helps you understand and respond to the Bible. As you journal, use the acronym HEAR to Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond to what you have read in the reading plan.

Bible Memory Verse – “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. They will put you out of the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. These things they will do because they did not know the Father or Me.” John 16:1-3 LSB

Click HERE for the Kingdom Sports Minute on Spiritual Identity