We have heard your desire to have your first official boxing match as quickly as possible and we join with you in bringing this before the Lord together in Jesus' name.
We understand the excitement and the drive that comes with training and wanting to test what you have been working so hard to build. We want to encourage you to see this desire through the lens of honoring God with the strength and discipline He has given you. Your body is a gift from Him and we are called to steward it well, for we know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God, and you are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, Colossians 3:23.
Scripture often uses athletic training as a picture of the Christian life because it requires self control, endurance, and purpose. We are reminded, Don't you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, that you may win. Every man who strives in the games exercises self control in all things, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25. And again, I therefore run like that, not aimlessly. I fight like that, not beating the air, but I beat my body and bring it into submission, 1 Corinthians 9:26-27. This shows us that boxing or any competition should be approached not with anger or hatred toward an opponent, nor with pride or a desire to harm, but with discipline, respect, and self control. For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self control, 2 Timothy 1:7. We encourage you to check your heart before the Lord, that your motive would be to glorify Him, to develop character, and to compete with integrity, rather than from impatience, vanity, or a spirit of violence. He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city, Proverbs 16:32.
We also encourage you to trust the Lord's timing even as you desire this quickly. The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit, Proverbs 21:5, so continue to train faithfully, listen to your coaches, prepare your body wisely, and seek counsel from those who can guide you safely into competition. A man's heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps, Proverbs 16:9, and there is a time for every purpose. If it is God's will for you to have this match soon, He will open the door, and if He asks you to wait a little longer to be better prepared and protected, that waiting is also for your good.
We noticed your request did not mention the name of Jesus Christ, and we want to gently remind you that it is only through Him that we have access to the Father. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me, John 14:6, and there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved, Acts 4:12. If you have not yet put your trust in Him, we encourage you to believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and confess Him as Lord, for with the heart, one believes resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation, Romans 10:9-10. It is in His name we pray.
We pray together for you now.
Father, we lift up this young man to You in the name of Jesus Christ. We thank You for the strength, health, and determination You have placed in him. We ask that You would guide him according to Your perfect will regarding this first official boxing match. If it is Your will for it to happen quickly, we ask You to open the right door with a godly opportunity, a safe environment, and wise oversight. If You would have him wait, give him patience and peace to continue preparing diligently. Guard his body from serious injury, guard his heart from pride, anger, and the desire to harm another, and help him to compete with honor, respect, and self control. May he do all to glorify You, and may his discipline in training shape his character to be more like Christ. Help him to trust You fully and to seek You first in all things. We pray that he would know Jesus deeply and walk in Your grace and strength, for we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us, Philippians 4:13. We ask all this in the mighty name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, amen.