Some time ago, I was challenged to think about my exercise in the context of Christian living. Someone close to me asked some pointed questions about a 30km+ run I had scheduled:
How is this a wise use of your time? Is this good for your body? Aren’t you going to get back from your run and be lazy for the rest of the day, or even the rest of the week? And the hardest question of all – is this run going to glorify you or God?
Followers of my blog will note that I absolutely love running. I believe other people can love running too and I make a point in trying to convince some people to start their own running journeys.
Paul the apostle instructs the Corinthians to “glorify God in their bodies” and in Colossians 3:23 to work hard for the Lord, and not for men. In the context of running, this means our exercise is to be done for the glory of God and done hard – excellence is worth striving for!
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Yet, Paul also warns in Timothy that “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.” There is a point to be made to Christians who are tempted to excessive exercise. This is a word to those who are tempted to make working out their god, or to obsess over Strava kudos, or to spend excessive amounts on gear.
Exercise is a gift from God to be used for His glory, not our own. Any obsession over things that will take us away from this end (the chief end of all man, according to the WSC 1:1) is sin.
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
Liturgy probably isn’t the right word to use in my response to my dilemma. However, I use my prayers in a somewhat liturgical sense, so I like to call it so. The prayers structure my exercise so that I reorient my mind and body to serve and glorify God in my work.
Neither do I always stop praying following concluding my written ‘liturgy’. At times, it leads to further prayer and devotion time. At all times, I trust that God honours my prayers.
I have them written here to encourage other Christians for whom exercise is an important part of their life. Perhaps you have been looking for a way to introduce a Christ-oriented focus into your exercise routine. You are more than welcome to pray this prayer with me, joining with the “cloud of witnesses” that surround us and “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
Pre-exercise:
Heavenly father, giver and sustainer of all life, thank you for the good gifts that you have given me with which I can enjoy you and enjoy the life you have given me. Thank you for my body, my health and the nature which surrounds me. Let me not waste these gifts with laziness and neglect but empower me to cultivate and multiply the talents you gave me so I may grow in holiness and continue to be sanctified as I exercise.
Empower me by your Holy Spirit to run for your name’s sake. Do not let me become vain or attention-seeking but develop true character in me. Teach me to use these gifts so that I may be excellent for your glory.
Give me wisdom to exert my body in efforts that lead to growth, and protect me from injury. By training and racing for perishable reward, may I learn and practice the endurance and diligence required in the race for the imperishable crown. Above all, may my run be done from the heart for you and not for others. In the name of my Saviour and mediator, Jesus your son, amen.
Post-exercise:
Heavenly father, thank you for the opportunity you have given me to bring praise to your name through my exercise. Help my body to recover and help me to continue with diligence in the tasks I need to do today. In all my daily activities, including running, eating, sleeping, working and studying, remind me to glorify you and fear you. Yours be the glory, amen.
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