How could we pray during the World Cup?Carla Harding - 8 Jun 2010

If your town is anything like mine then it's currently in the grip of World Cup fever. The football (or for the non-British readers among you 'soccer') tournament to top all tournaments kicks off this weekend. Flags are being sported from homes, pubs and even off cars as many dust off football shirts and debate the best place to enjoy the games.

When I was in Cape Town a few weeks ago I heard of schemes happening within cities and communities around the nation during June and July.  Football tournaments are being organised alongside food schemes for children in poorer situations, travelers are being warned about street crime and I’m sure there are churches preparing special prayer and mission initiatives.  It's interesting that thousands are making their way to a nation celebrating the tenth year of an amazing wave of prayer that has spread from Cape Town to every nation on earth... The time of prayer and worship I shared with a thousand others from the four corners of the earth for the Global Day of Prayer seems like the vanguard for this greater influx of tourists and football fans. (You can read more about my trip here.)

The World Cup is an excellent reminder to pray for the host nation of South Africa and the nations represented in the competition.  How?  Well, here are just a couple of suggestions off the top of my head… If you catch a game why not take a few minutes during half time to pray for nations competing? Or if you have a regular daily prayer time you could take a different nation each day and bring them before God. I love the look of this great prayer guide produced by a group called Abraham Connection for the un-reached people groups in each competing country.  Maybe something like this could help your community pray.

From the early years of 24-7 mission we used to have a motto: ‘Pray, Play and Obey’… It’s seems incredibly apt as we enter this season of football fever to remember this mantra celebrating all that is good and being open to praying in all areas of life... and I don’t just mean praying for a favourable result!  Let us know if you’re doing anything special or know of any other good prayer resources related to the world cup in the comments below.