By Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel
CHULA VISTA, California — As a baseball fan, I often think about this magnificent game in theological and ethical terms. One day, I thought: What should God do when Yankees fans pray to God for victory in the World Series and Dodgers fans do the same for their team?
Many people experience prayer differently. Some people turn to prayer in contexts that aren’t traditionally life-altering, such as sports. For some, prayer is an intimate appeal to God for support, strength, or good fortune; we pray that God will help us achieve or pursue personal desires or goals.
Ancient thinkers, including biblical writers, have wondered: Does prayer have the power to “change” God’s mind? In simple terms, the question is this: Is prayer meant to align us with God’s will, or do people use it to sway divine intervention?
And if God were to intervene, what would that mean for the game’s fairness? Should prayer be about gaining a competitive edge, or is it about finding meaning, grace, or humility, regardless of the outcome?
But what is God to do? How might an all-powerful, omnibenevolent deity approach a scenario where two sides pray for opposing outcomes?
Let us propose that prayer in competitive contexts could serve as a form of character development, where the real “victory” lies not in winning the game but in cultivating virtues such as humility, perseverance, and gratitude. Many cultures have historically invoked divine favor for success in various forms of competition. People’s belief in divine support for their team reflects broader questions of identity, loyalty, and the human need for validation.
Arguably, while God is omniscient and all-caring, certain matters, like the outcome of a sports game, may not hold divine importance. This shifts the focus of prayer from the desire to win to perhaps asking for unity, peace, or enjoyment of the shared experience.
Could there be a place for prayer when we watch our favorite teams play in the Word Series? Prayer can be a profound expression of community and solidarity. When we watch fans pray, we can discover how both teams share a sense of community through prayer and bonding over collective hope, even if directed at opposing results. Prayer transcends individual desires, becoming part of the shared human experience.
Perhaps we need to see winning and losing as part of a greater Divine Plan: From a theological perspective, all events are meaningful, even in sports. Victory and defeat are opportunities for growth and reflection. Whether a team wins or loses, fans may find a divine purpose in their experience, fostering resilience and compassion.
God does not need to decide outcomes arbitrarily but to accompany individuals on their journey. Maybe in our prayers, we would be wiser to ask God to help us find fulfillment, peace, and purpose in whatever outcome unfolds.
Ultimately, sports serve as a metaphor for life’s unpredictability and challenges. Just as God might be seen as refraining from “interfering” in a game, life itself involves triumphs and losses where divine presence is felt not in outcomes but in the lessons they bring.
In the end, maybe the purpose of prayer during a baseball game isn’t about persuading God to pick a winner. As a fan, I’ve come to see that prayer in sports speaks to something deeper—the communal experience, the emotional highs and lows, and the way each game becomes a small metaphor for life itself. Victory and defeat, loyalty and rivalry, all remind us of the unpredictable paths we walk and the resilience and gratitude we develop along the way.
Perhaps, then, God’s role isn’t to choose between the Yankees or the Dodgers but to walk with each of us—fans, players, and communities alike—as we celebrate, struggle, and grow. In praying for our teams, maybe we’re really seeking to understand ourselves and to find comfort and meaning in the shared human journey.
So as we raise our hopes and voices for our favorite teams, we might do well to also pray for humility in victory, grace in defeat, and unity with those cheering across the field. In sports, as in life, the real “win” lies not in the final score but in the enduring lessons and connections we take with us. And maybe, in that sense, every game is a blessing.
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Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel is spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista.