The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

The eyes of the sporting world have been on the State of Qatar since it controversially won its bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, never having previously qualified for the finals. Since then seven new stadiums, an airport, metro, roads and 100 hotels have been built, mostly using foreign labourers.

With less than 50 days to go until the first match (20 November), Qatar is the first Muslim country in the Arab world and the smallest country (smaller than Yorkshire) to hold the tournament.

Fewer than 3 million people (of whom only 350,000 are Qataris) live there, but 1.2million fans are expected.  The final will be played on Qatar National Day (18 December).

Despite there being strict controls on alcohol, beer will be available at each of the 64 matches, before and after, but not during.

Please pray:

• For the handful of Qatari evangelical believers – that they will be strengthened, discipled and used by God, and that a local church will be birthed
• For expat believers, who can meet in a compound, to be mobilised to pray for Qataris
• That Christian media through the Internet or satellite TV will have an impact and that the Bible and other resources will find a way into people’s hands
• That as Qatar looks to welcome many people into their country, the government would reform laws on freedom of religion and women’s rights
• That the World Cup will help unite people across the world; that friendships will be built and barriers broken down, and that many people will be drawn to Christ over the coming weeks
• That God would break the spiritual pride of the materially rich Qataris concerning Islam, and prepare their hearts for the good news of Jesus
• For the salvation of the absolute monarch, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir since 2013

Prayercast: Qatar

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