Nations · Pentecost · Harvest
Tongues of fire and a mighty rushing wind. A historical gathering of nations took place in Jerusalem the day Holy Spirit was manifest. Jews and converts from “every nation under heaven” — Parthians, Medes, Elamites, residents of Mesopotamia and Rome — were present (Acts 2:5, 9–11). The Holy Spirit was poured out, and the disciples spoke in the native languages of every gathered crowd. The obedience of the 120 in the Upper Room converged with the nations. And the Church was born.
I can’t help but see the parallel.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest in history: 48 nations, 104 matches, 16 host cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
For 39 days — June 11 through July 19 — the nations of the earth are coming to us.
Among the qualified nations are countries where the Gospel is actively suppressed — where Christians face imprisonment, displacement, or death for their faith.
For many of these fans and players, this tournament may be the first time they set foot in a place where the Good News can reach them freely, without government surveillance.
We are also in a hinge-of-history moment. The 250th anniversary of the founding of this nation will occur while the World Cup is underway. Our chronos (calendar) time is about to converge with the kairos (appointed) time of the Lord. May we recognize it for what it is.
So let’s pray for revival. This prayer burden does not come from a warped sense of America’s inherent “goodness.” This is about the Lord’s desire that none would perish — that everyone would repent and come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:9). Revivals have never stayed contained. They spilled into the streets. They spread to the nations. Azusa Street reached approximately 50 nations, and a missions movement was born from it.
Scripture tells us that in the last days, all nations will stream to the mountain of the Lord (Isaiah 2:2; Micah 4:1). And John saw where it all leads: a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Revelation 7:9). Every earthly gathering of nations is a foreshadow of that moment.
The World Cup is not the point. But perhaps it is a door.
How will the Lord use your obedience to converge with the nations coming to us?
I put together a full prayer briefing — with host city dates, a list of persecuted nations in the tournament, and practical prayer points — so you can intercede through every match day.