15 Power Verses to Meditate on While You Exercise
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Meditating on God’s Word helps us grow spiritually, and to change us more and more into the image of Jesus. It’s vital to our faith that we find moments each day to think on Scripture.
“I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways” (Psalm 119:15).
In addition to my regular quiet time, I wondered how I could find moments throughout the day to reflect on God’s Word. An idea struck me when people at my church began doing prayer walks around my city. I tried it as well, and as I prayed and shared with God, I also recalled a Scripture verse that I had read earlier that day. That walk ended up turning into a mini-devotion.
Soon, I applied this practice to other workouts I did. So whether outside on a hiking trail or in a fitness club, my focus shifted from just going through a routine to being in God’s Word and giving Him worship. As a result, exercise time took on a deeper purpose, building up both my body and my faith.
Suggestions for Incorporating Scripture into Your Workout
Repetitive movement can definitely lead my mind to wander, so at first I had to practice redirecting my attention back to the verse I was meditating on. Many times, I still write out the phrase on a note card or my phone so I can quickly guide myself back to it.
For me, it has worked best to choose either a shorter verse or a portion of a longer passage, so I can really concentrate on one central idea to ponder. I simply think the words or say them out loud and ask God to reveal something to me about them.
Sometimes a particular phrase will stand out, which might lead me to ask questions either to myself or directly to my Heavenly Father. Here are a few basic “starters” I use a lot:
What is the message You have for me in this verse?
What does this verse tell me about You?
How would You like me to respond to this passage?
Will You show me how this passage relates to my life?
Remember, God not only allows but desires to hear our questions, and to reveal more of Himself to us. He always gives me new insights when I seek them. This kind of meditation is so powerful because it not only fills our minds with good things, but it nourishes our spirits at the same time.
15 Verses to Meditate on While Exercising
Lately, I’ve chosen Scriptures that have to do with God’s Creation (of nature and of us), and how He wants us to walk out our faith. Here are just a few of the passages I’ve been blessed by. And since reading and repeating God’s Word can stir up a desire to lift up praise and worship to Him, I’ve included short prayer starters for each verse as well.
Verses about God’s Creation
Scriptures about how God created us lead us to consider His authority, and to ask how we can glorify Him by how we live.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
Prayer starter: Lord, I am so grateful that You made me for a purpose.
“The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4).
Prayer starter: Heavenly Father, my every breath is a gift from You, so let every breath and every day count for Your Kingdom.
“Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100:3).
Prayer starter: Gracious God, thank You for not only creating me and fully knowing me, but also for leading me to good things.
Verses about Our Bodies
Scriptures about our physical bodies often stir up a sense of awe, and move us to seek ways to devote more of ourselves to God.
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14).
Prayer starter: Lord, knowing that You knit me together intentionally makes me glad, and inspires me to share the Gospel.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God…” (Romans 12:1).
Prayer starter: Heavenly Father, show me how I can become a more pleasing offering to You, in body, mind and spirit.
“…you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:20).
Prayer starter: Lord, this is a valuable reminder that part of honoring You is to treat my body with care.
Verses about the Beauty of Nature
Scriptures that praise nature, especially while we are outside, can raise our spirits and inspire us to ask what we can do to honor His Works.
“In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:10).
Prayer starter: God, it comforts me to know You are still in control of this world You’ve made – I give praise for Your mercy.
“…I will meditate on your wonderful works” (Psalm 145:5).
Prayer starter: Heavenly Father, it brings me so much joy to be out in the nature You’ve created.
“…for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:11).
Prayer starter: Lord, how sweet to know You delight as much as I do in every tree, flower and even blade of grass that I see.
Verses about God’s Goodness
Scriptures about God’s goodness lead to acknowledging His heart, and to a greater awareness of His love for us.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Prayer starter: Father in Heaven, this promise brings me encouragement and grows my confidence in what’s ahead.
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).
Prayer starter: God, knowing that You take enjoyment from me fills my heart with love for You.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good…” (Psalm 34:8).
Prayer starter: Lord, You are the only true Source of mercy and kindness, and I am so blessed to see examples of that every day.
Verses about God’s Healing
Scriptures that talk of God’s healing and empowering can lead us to live and to minister to those around us who need His Touch.
“We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
Prayer starter: Father, thank You for Your everlasting love. Help me to show more of that to others.
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).
Prayer starter: Heavenly Father, I am so grateful that You give me the confidence and boldness I need to do Your work.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).
Prayer starter: Lord, how blessed I am to be able to find healing for any hurt in Your presence. Help me to pass it forward.
Nothing can replace the time we dedicate solely to studying Scripture. But meditating on verses as we exercise is a creative way to add some extra time with God’s life-giving Words into our day.
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8).
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