Moses, the church planter in western Africa who has been showing films about Old Testament characters and then recordings of World Cup matches, reports a lot of interest in both the films and the matches in the predominantly Muslim village he has been visiting. Moses has asked for concerted prayer on Sunday, the final day of the World Cup. He plans to show the villagers a movie about the life of Christ. Pray that hearts and minds will be open to the truth about Jesus and that viewers will clearly understand the Gospel presentation at the end of the film. Moses requests we particularly pray for the village chief and his son. Read more about this outreach effort

Many South African churches didn’t plan extra activities during the World Cup—they were already extremely busy with their regular ministries. These continued without regard for the high profile tournament going on around them. Desiring to make a difference in their communities, these fellowships are reaching out to the jobless, homeless, impoverished, and vulnerable, showing the love of Christ in tangible ways.

Other churches intentionally planned outreaches with a World Cup theme. They organized events that would keep children safe and happy during the long school break. Big screen showings of the matches enabled churches to draw in community members and share the Gospel with them.

When the World Cup is over and life returns to normal in South Africa, pray for churches to have a new vision of how to meet the challenges of sharing their faith with those who don’t know Christ, of discipling new believers, of trusting God to provide and stretch meager resources, and of tackling social issues in the communities around them.

Television sports commentators relish sharing trivia about teams, players, stadiums and coaches, and those covering the 2010 World Cup have been no exception. The Internet has given them access to information that sometimes I’d just as soon not know, but they do frequently point out interesting facts and firsts. This is the first World Cup held in Africa. For the first time a European team will win a World Cup held outside the continent. This will be a first-time World Cup win for either Netherlands or Spain.

As special as these firsts are, none of them compares to the life-changing experience of first trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior. We have hundreds of new brothers and sisters in Christ because they took that first step of faith during World Cup outreaches. Praise God they have come into His family. Continue to pray they will grow in their relationship with Christ and that they will lead others to take that first step of faith in Him.

Artists, musicians, dramatists and other creative Christians are finding ways to use their skills to share the Gospel during the World Cup. The Ultimate Goal’s Taxi CD has Christian songs and short Gospel messages to bless passengers as they are transported around town. A JOY BRACELET creation represents the fruit of the Spirit, and the company insists the bracelets be given away as tokens of thankfulness and hope. Outreach Festivals use face painting, dramas and music to share the story of God’s love and forgiveness.

Praise God for the way He has gifted these talented members of the body of Christ. Pray they will continually find creative new ways to share the Good News.

A sympathetic smile for a frazzled mom and cranky children at the end of an exhausting flight. A listening ear for an airport employee who has just experienced a grievous loss. A willingness to pray on demand in the middle of a busy terminal. A comforting presence in a quiet chapel. Airport chaplains Tricia, Godfrey, Joan and Gerald and their team of volunteers have ministered to hundreds of people in the six weeks since they took the first steps toward fulfilling God’s call to ministry at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. These godly men and women share God’s love unconditionally, but when asked by fans to pray for a particular World Cup team to win a match they only agree to pray for the team on the condition they may pray for the opposing team as well!

Walking the halls in pairs wearing their Airport Chaplaincy jackets, they are stopped by an airline employee requesting prayer for an ailing family member. A few minutes later a policeman asks them for a Bible. Prayerwalking when not praying for someone at hand, these servants of the Lord make themselves available to anyone with a need.

Thanks to the generosity of another Christian organization, Bibles have been provided for those who were on the waiting list, and now there is a small stock for future requests. Praise God for this provision, and pray for more volunteers to keep this ministry alive when the World Cup is over.

Does God care who wins the World Cup? I don’t know, but today a black African sister in Christ gave me a new insight into something He does care about. We were discussing the dismissal of all of the African teams from the tournament, and she said, “None of them was ever going to win. If they had won, who would get the glory?” She went on to explain that many African players had gone to witchdoctors and had consulted ancestral spirits in an attempt to help them win. Her point was that God would have received no glory had an African team won; instead, spirits of darkness would have been praised.

Does God care who wins the World Cup? I don’t know, but He does want His glory declared among the nations. Continue to pray that many people will be drawn to Him through the ministries and outreaches planned to share the Gospel with the nations who have come to South Africa for the tournament. Pray that Christian players on the remaining teams will have many opportunities to give God glory for what He has done in their lives.

FIFA has promoted its “Say no to racism” campaign by having the captains of each team in the quarterfinals read a statement before their matches, condemning and rejecting discrimination of any sort in the sport and in society. Jesus taught that every individual has equal value in God’s sight and that He longs to have people from every race, tribe and tongue worshipping before His throne. Pray that Christians will be like Jesus, totally rejecting racism and reflecting God’s character in the way they relate to each other and to all people.

DURBAN, South Africa — Thick mud clings to the shoes of Pastor Xolani (Ko-lan-ee) Klaas and his church members as they walk through an informal settlement in Newlands East.

The mud makes walking difficult, forcing the team to slip as they walk up and down the hills past tiny shacks constructed of scrap metal, tarps and cloth. Each houses an entire family, inadequately providing shelter from the cool, wet weather. Yet amid the struggle of everyday life, the smiling faces of residents conversing with one another reveal there is still joy and happiness in their community.

The evangelism in the informal settlements can be closely compared to how Jesus did ministry, because the needs of the people are so immediate. Klaas explains, “People, if they are hungry, will not listen because their primary needs have not been met.”

For two days there are no World Cup matches, so visitors to South Africa have an opportunity to discover what an amazing country it is. From majestic mountains to rugged coastlines, from awe-inspiring deserts to mysterious game parks, from world class cities to impoverished informal settlements, South Africa is a land of great diversity.

South Africa is also a nation in great need of prayer. Racial tensions simmer just below the surface all too often, creating fear and suspicion when trust is desperately needed. Personal ambition prevents many leaders from making decisions that are best for their organizations or businesses. Frequently, parents are so busy trying to provide their family’s basic requirements that their children lack attention and proper supervision. Unemployment and hopelessness cause young people to turn to drugs, alcohol and gang activity. Human trafficking is on the rise.

Pray-ers, PRAY about the needs of South Africa. Volunteers, COME to join God in what He is doing to meet these needs. Body of Christ in South Africa, BE who God has called you to be—salt and light among people whom He loves and desires to bless.

Volunteers are an invaluable part of the outreach ministries going on during the World Cup. One volunteer shared what so many have experienced: “The World Cup has broadened my horizons and tested my faith and witness.”

Their prayer requests reveal their hearts. PRAY…
…for wisdom, strength, courage and focus in working with children.
…that the World Cup will impact and not distract people from hearing the Gospel.
…for the ability to learn the language so that people will fully understand the love of Christ.
…to know how to best relate to people.
…to know the best way to lead when in a leadership position.
…that God will be honored.
…for focus on the Lord and the task.