Pray for the Nations During the World Cup

This summer, 48 countries are competing in the largest World Cup in history. More than 5 million fans are expected to pack stadiums in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, and organizers expect more than 5 billion people worldwide to watch some part of the tournament that lasts until July 19.

It’s a massive global event, with huge opportunities to pray for the nations involved, including many that are hard-to-reach with the gospel. Here’s a guide to praying during the World Cup: 

1. PRAY FOR GOSPEL EXPOSURE 

Many players and fans are traveling from countries where access to the gospel is limited, and where Christians face persecution. (Think: Qatar, Morocco, Turkey, Tunisia, Iran, and others.) 

Pray they’ll be exposed to Christian teaching and to believers during their time away from home, and that gospel seeds will take root.

2. PRAY FOR OUTREACH EFFORTS IN HOST CITIES

In some host cities, tourists may bump into Christians intentionally looking for opportunities to share the gospel. 

For example, the Blue-River Kansas City Baptist Association has been recruiting 1,000 volunteers to initiate gospel conversations with some of the 650,000 fans expected in Kansas City during the tournament. Similar efforts are underway among churches in California, New York, and Georgia. 

Pray the Lord will bless believers’ formal and informal efforts to reach strangers and neighbors with the gospel during the tournament. 

3. PRAY FOR SAFETY AND PROTECTION FOR THE VULNERABLE

Huge global events also bring the potential for real danger to vulnerable people. Back in Kansas City, a Christian group called ReHope is expanding its capacity to offer a safe refuge for victims of trafficking and exploitation. 

Pray for protection against evils like human trafficking in all the cities expecting a flood of visitors during the World Cup. 

4. PRAY FOR GOSPEL MINISTRY IN HARD-TO-REACH NATIONS

When the World Cup ends, the need for the gospel in hard-to-reach places will continue. Pray believers will continue to have a global vision to see Jesus made known among the nations, long after the World Cup ends.

And pray for Radical’s efforts to evangelize unbelievers, disciple believers, train church leaders, and plant healthy churches in 10 of the countries in this year’s World Cup: 

Morocco: Pray for Radical’s efforts to teach, disciple, and equip believers from Muslim backgrounds.

Turkey: Pray for our work with a Turkish radio station to share the gospel and connect listeners with local churches. 

Japan: Pray for our efforts to train and equip leaders to plant healthy churches in Japan. 

Tunisia: Pray for Radical’s outreach efforts to reach Tunisia and other parts of North Africa with the gospel.

Egypt: Pray for our partnership with a seminary to train Egyptian church leaders for scholarly and pastoral ministry.

Iran: Pray for our work to help our brothers and sisters in a land that desperately needs the gospel. 

Saudi Arabia: Pray for Radical’s efforts to help establish a gospel presence through one-to-one evangelism with young Arabs.

Algeria: Pray for our focus on equipping Muslim-background believers to lead a local church.

Uzbekistan: Pray for our work to reach the special needs population with the gospel.

Senegal: Pray for our efforts to equip church leaders in theology and character development.