Thank you for praying for South Africa during the World Cup. God has demonstrated His power in amazing ways. The Gospel was proclaimed freely and with eternally significant results throughout the nation. Those who wanted to perform animal sacrifices inside stadiums, believing this would please their ancestral spirits, were prohibited from doing so. Efforts to legalize prostitution came to nothing, and prostitutes moan that business actually waned during the event. The problem of human trafficking has received nationwide attention, and more individuals and organizations are becoming involved in efforts to curb it.

Please continue to pray for South Africa. Particularly remember the urban centers, where problems of unemployment, poverty, violent crime, racism and human trafficking demand urgent attention. Intercede for new followers of Christ, for whom learning to walk with Him is particularly challenging in a country with these issues.

Stay connected to South Africa, and learn how God is at work on the African continent by visiting www.africastories.org and www.imbafrica.org.

The World Cup is over (sigh) and the nations are departing from South Africa. The Great Commission is once again “out there,” and South African believers must rejoin followers of Jesus around the world in focusing on the Lord’s command to take His Gospel to the ends of the earth. Pray that insights gained and lessons learned during the past month will be implemented in evangelistic efforts both within and without South Africa. Rejoice that God’s Word promises every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Mentioning the word xenophobia strikes terror in the hearts of many foreign nationals living in South Africa. At least 62 people were killed and thousands displaced during xenophobic outbursts in May 2008. Initially targeted were migrants from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi, but in the end 21 of the deaths were South Africans. The Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa warned last month that foreigners living in the country would be targeted after the World Cup. Threats have been voiced, and CORMSA is taking them seriously. There are reports this week of fearful foreign nationals fleeing parts of South Africa. Others are threatening to retaliate if attacked.

Pray that citizens of South Africa will act wisely even if provoked and that peace and calm will prevail throughout the country following the World Cup. Pray for Christians in South Africa to demonstrate acceptance of all people. Ask the Lord to protect His followers from possible xenophobic activity. Pray that Christians will find powerful ways to communicate God’s love to every person they encounter.

Most of South Africa is praying for clear skies and the warmest possible weather during the World Cup, but the Eastern Cape province has experienced a severe drought for the past three years.  When their Holiday Bible Club out-of-doors activities had to be cancelled because of rain, participating Eastern Cape children rejoiced instead of complaining!  Ask God to continue to open the heavens and bless the land with refreshing and nourishing rains.  Pray that He will be acknowledged as the gracious Giver of all good things.

Events like the World Cup can’t succeed without the hard work of hundreds of behind-the-scenes individuals. At the 2010 tournament, the people of South Africa are the true unsung heroes. They are giving visitors a typical warm African welcome and are making everyone feel at home. Perhaps because of their uniforms, police men and women, security guards, stadium stewards, and medical personnel are more high profile, but all South Africans deserve lots of credit. Pray that they will be blessed by an overwhelming awareness of God’s love and care for them and their country.

One missionary couple writes, “We are hearing reports of hundreds of children professing Jesus at camps and holiday clubs. This is a fabulous thing, but now the rubber meets the road–making sure they are discipled! Please pray for all the follow-ups that will take place in the coming months. It is most important that these be discipled as quickly as possible.”

Intercede for new Christians of all ages, that they will hunger to know more about Jesus. Pray that churches will reach out to those who are young in their faith, leading them to become mature followers of Christ, Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life for all men.

Today I’m going to my first and only World Cup match, and I’m excited! My face is painted, my flag is flying, and I expect to return home hoarse from cheering for my team! I’ve been praying for others, but suddenly very real concerns about terrorist threats, traffic accidents and disorderly crowd activity have taken on a personal meaning. Covenant to pray earnestly with me daily for the safety of all fans, players, coaches and officials at each of the matches through 11 July.

School’s out for World Cup! Usually these words excite school children, but for many they mean doing without the main meal of the day, which is provided by schools in some South African provinces. Hungry children easily fall prey to human traffickers who entice them with promises of food and other things they need. Pray that children will learn whom they can trust. Praise God for churches and volunteers who are ministering to at risk children and helping to keep them safe.

These same words mean ministry opportunities to seminary students who are giving up their school break to be involved in soccer camps and Holiday Bible Clubs, translation work for volunteer missionaries, and service to visitors from other countries. Pray that these students will have many opportunities to share the Gospel each day.

Near to many of the World Cup stadiums people live in wretched conditions. The effects of poverty and unemployment are evident all around. Individuals who are suffering from acute physical needs simply don’t have time to think about their spiritual state. Christians wanting to reach out and help these needy communities require godly wisdom. Intercede for followers of Christ in South Africa who have a heart to share their possessions and their faith with those who are less fortunate. Remember especially members of Eastside Community Church in Pretoria and King of Kings Baptist Church near Cape Town. Pray that people who receive assistance from Christians will acknowledge that the followers of Jesus are representatives of God and His great love for all people.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)

Praise God for a partnership among a local church, a Youth for Christ worker, and IMB missionaries that is helping protect children from the risk of human trafficking in George. The Lord is using another partnership among Brazilian Baptist volunteers and Baptist Union of South Africa members in Gauteng province to reach into communities that were previously untouched by the Gospel. Pray that the love and unity these brothers and sisters in Christ demonstrate will bring glory to God and attract non-believers to Jesus.

Players on the soccer pitch face continuous physical obstacles as they work together to score a goal. Brazilian volunteers in South Africa are facing spiritual obstacles as they strive to lead people to Christ. Intercede for these faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who could easily become discouraged. Pray that the volunteers will have good health, safety and abundant opportunities to share their faith.

Watch Brazillian volunteer Michell Castro with Connection Africa 2010 share prayer requests from Troyeville Baptist Church in Johannesburg, South Africa.