::World Cup Prayer - Day 1 (South Africa)::

Since I didn't start on time (I'm a slacker), we are going to cover two countries today. So what better place to focus then the host country of the 2010 World Cup...

The Republic of South Africa

FYI: South Africa isthe first African country to host a World Cup...pretty cool.

Relevant Magazine p

osted a gut wrenching article a couple of days ago that outlined the ugly side of the World Cup: Human Trafficking. It is easy to become focused on the fantastic matches or be distracted by the glitz and glamour (...or very unglamorous fat dudes with face paint) and then miss the other things that go on with an event like this one.

Here are a few of the heart-breaking "highlights" of the article:

• In 2005 the International Labour Organization estimated that human trafficking had profits of $31.6 BILLION...and it's only growing!

• South Africa has been a documented source, transit, and destination for the trafficking of men, women, and children...many of the people end up in South African brothels.

• Officials have said that these brothels "weren't here a year ago"...meaning that business has spiked because of the World Cup visitors and business coming to town.

• Laws and prosecution against the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are incredibly weak.

...a few thoughts for prayers...

Pray that the Gospel would explode in South Africa and that people from around the world would hear and respond to it.

Pray for the men, women, and children that are devastated by human trafficking every day. Pray that the church would step up and help the helpless. Pray for ways that you can get involved in the fight.

Praise God would ending Apartheid in South Africa and moving the country down a path of racial reconciliation and healing.

Pray for the 15% of South Africans who claim no religion at all. The majority of the country claims to be Christian but many combine it with tribal religions. Pray that the true Gospel of Jesus Christ would take root.

What did I miss?

What are you praying for?

::World Cup Prayer - Day 1 (USA)::

Today is the beginning of the journey and I am excited to dive in and see how God will use this little adventure to glorify His name and challenge me along the way. Is anyone else out there going to be joining me?

I will be utilizing resources from World Soccer Journeys and the Joshua Project as I post prayers and thoughts about each of the countries in the World Cup. Check out both of these sites and you stand in awe at what God is already doing around the world.

The first country up is...drum roll...

The United States of America

Where else do we start except our own backyard?

Do we pray for our neighbors? Do we pray for our families?

What about the widows or the orphans in your city?

...a little background...

Fifty-one percent of Americans are Protestant and 26 percent are Catholic or other Christian. The largest population of Jews outside Israel lives in the US.

Buddhist Americans and Muslim Americans are almost equal in number.

In this land of religious freedom and religious diversity, pray that followers of Jesus Christ will share His love so effectively that their fellow Americans of all faiths will be drawn to Him.

...a few ideas for prayers...

Pray that the Gospel of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection would take root in the hearts of Americans.

Pray for the President, Congress, and other government leaders

Pray for Christians in our country; that they would not be lulled by comfort and live passionately for Jesus Christ alone.

What did I miss?

What are you praying for to happen in the United States?

::Pray for the World::

It has been WAY too long since I have blogged and I am hoping to change that over the next few weeks. My struggle has been not knowing what to say...do I write about recipes & cooking, talk about adventures around the Dore household, or expand on what God is doing in my life. Every time that I thought I knew what to write about...I procrastinated and changed my mind. Not any more.

God has been pressing on my heart regarding my prayer life. Honestly, prayer is a very weak area of my journey with God; and that is because I place so many other things as more important. I realize this about myself and have decided to take a few intentional steps and this blog is going to be one of them. How is that you ask...you shall see...

In case you missed it, the World Cup has started and this is the biggest sporting event in the world. People around the world from the U.S. to Spain to North Korea are tuning in to watch their teams play for their country. That's 32 countries passionately cheering on their teams...

What would it look like if they were praising the Creator? How different would the world look if they were worshipping Jesus Christ?

That's what this journey is about and I hope that you will join me on it. I will be praying for each country that is represented in the World Cup.

We are starting a day late so tomorrow with focus on the United States and South Africa.

I pray that you will join me on this adventure. It's gonna be fun.