Day 18 Forty Day ‘Pray for Iran’ Campaign.

Iranians are soccer fanatics, and that is why today is a huge day for the nation. For only the third time ever, Iran will participate in the World Cup finals and today they play their first match against Mexico in Nuremberg, Germany.

Every day throughout Iran, young people get together in the neighborhoods and play soccer on a local field, or more than likely, just in the street. But today the streets of Iran will be empty as millions watch and hope the national team scores a victory that brings joy to the nation.

In what is estimated to be the biggest ever gathering of Iranians outside Iran, many tens of thousands of fans (traveling from Iran and other countries) have gone to Germany to follow the team. Iran has always been eliminated in the first round, but many believe this is Iran’s best chance to progress. Whatever the case, expectations are high and Iranians are desperate for success.

The World Cup provides an excellent opportunity for Christian to share the love of Christ with thousands of Iranians who might otherwise not hear the Gospel. So today we want to pray especially for Iranian Christians who have gone to Germany to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with their countrymen.

* Pray for divine appointments and that Christians will be led to those who are hungering and thirsting for truth. Pray they will speak the right words and clearly and boldly share about the love of God. Pray that many will come to know the living Lord.
* Pray for those who will receive the Word of God for the first time ever. Pray they will read it and that the Holy Spirit will help them understand it. Pray that they will receive the Spirit of sonship and call out to the Father in heaven (Romans 8:15).
* Pray that those Iranians who have a yearning for victory would meet the ultimate Lord of victory – the One who defeated sin and death.
* Pray that Iranian Christians in sport will have an effective ministry among other athletes throughout the country.