From The Touchline – Soccer Chaplains United

Today’s Nations and Devotions podcast features John Ahlström, a pastor and mental health coach working with football athletes in Sweden. John is a friend of the ministry through Mattias Ottestig who has been on the podcast and is working to develop chaplaincy in football in Sweden’s Allsvenskan.

John leads us in a prayer for Sweden and offers a reflection on Psalm 90/Soccer Psalm 90 along the theme of: Lord, teach us to steward our soccer careers. Today’s special hashtag is #sweden for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerch...

Today’s Nations and Devotions podcast features long-time coach and supporter of the ministry, Brian Shultz. Brian leads us in a prayer for Norway and offers a reflection on Psalm 137. How should we respond to adversity or times when the match feels corrupt? Today’s special hashtag is #norway for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccerpsalmsworldcup with your social media posts.

Join us again tomorrow for another special day and time of prayer throughout the World Cup!

From the Touchline is a short-feature podcast with Rev Brad...

Today’s Nations and Devotions podcast features newest board member, Simon Keizer. Simon leads us in a prayer for Egypt and offers a reflection on Psalm 127 — Unless The Lord Builds. Simon has put his own hands and effort towards building — a soccer club, a ministry, a team, and more. He shares why God is so important in the building of anything that we set forth to do in this life. Today’s special hashtag is #egypt for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccerpsalmsworldcup with your social media posts.

Join us ag...

Today’s Nations and Devotions podcast has Jeremy Tittle, again, sharing and leading us in a prayer for Switzerland. Jeremy is a long time coach and on the Board of Directors for Soccer Chaplains United. Jeremy shares a reflection from Psalm 12 and Soccer Psalm 12 about God as the Ultimate Referee. Jeremy then leads a prayer for the nation of Switzerland who faces off against Algeria in a Round of 32 match. Today’s special hashtag is #switzerland for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccerpsalmsworldcup with your social media posts.

Join...

Today’s Nations and Devotions podcast features Greg Aydt. Greg is the former chaplain to Memphis 901 FC and part of Soccer Chaplains United. Greg shares a reflection from Psalm 34 and Soccer Psalm 34 and talks about how broken players still belong — even when they feel that they don’t. Greg prays for the nation of Algeria and today’s special hashtag is #algeria for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccerpsalmsworldcup with your social media posts.

Join us again tomorrow for another special day and time of prayer throughout the World Cu...

For Day 20, I (Rev Brad Kenney) lead today’s Nations and Devotions reflection and prayer. I reflect on God’s mercy and how David encountered it after his sin in wrongfully taking Bathsheba. All of us deserve straight red for our sins, but God in his mercy shows us yellow in leading us to repentance. I also leads a prayer for Saudi Arabia. Today’s special hashtag is #saudiarabia for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccerpsalmsworldcup with your social media posts.

Join us again tomorrow for another special day an...

Rev Kevin Hasenack returns to lead today’s Nations and Devotions podcast. Kevin shares a reflection from Psalm 128 and Soccer Psalm 128 around fans blessing the team and how we as Christians need to bless others. Kevin also leads a prayer for Qatar. Today’s special hashtag is #qatar for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccerpsalmsworldcup with your social media posts.

Join us again tomorrow for another special day and time of prayer throughout the World Cup!

From the Touchline is a short-feature podcast with Rev Brad Kenn...

Today’s Nations and Devotions podcast features special guest, David Iboma. David is a former professional footballer from DR Congo and has been a collaborator and support for a number of American players who have traveled to and played professionally in Belgium. David shares a reflection from Psalm 90 and Soccer Psalm 90 about God establishing the work of our feet. David also prays for his home nation and national team, DR Congo. Today’s special hashtag is #drcongo for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccerpsalmsworldcup with your social media posts.

J...

Today’s Nations and Devotions podcast features a special guest, Brian Davis, a long time friend and someone who has served in the nation of Senegal. Brian lives in New York City and serves many in the West African community there. He’s led a number of mission trips to Senegal and gotten soccer gear from Soccer Chaplains United through our Community Project program. Brian leads us with a reflection on Psalm 24 and a prayer for Senegal. Senegal plays a group stage game against Iraq. Today’s special hashtag is #senegal for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Mak...

Today’s Nations and Devotions podcast features a prayer for USA. USA takes on Türkiye in their final group stage match before advancing deeper into the tournament. Colorado Rapids Volunteer Chaplain Rev Brad Kenney prays for the nation and offers a reflection from Psalm 131 about having a posture of humility. Today’s special hashtag is #unitedstates for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccerpsalmsworldcup with your social media posts.

Join us again tomorrow for another special day and time of prayer throughout the World Cup!

From the T...

Today’s Nations and Devotions podcast features a prayer for the nation of Morocco. Morocco plays a group stage game against Haiti and Rapids 2 Chaplain Rev Kevin Hasenack prays for the nation he once lived in and and offers a reflection from Psalm 4. Today’s special hashtag is #morocco for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccerpsalmsworldcup with your social media posts.

Join us again tomorrow for another special day and time of prayer throughout the World Cup!

From the Touchline is a short-feature podcast with Rev Brad...

Today’s Nations and Devotions podcast features a prayer for the nation of Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan plays a group stage game against Portugal and Portland Timbers Chaplain Troy Ready helps to lead todays prays and offers a reflection from Psalm 16 about God acting on our behalf. Today’s special hashtag is #uzbekistan for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccerpsalmsworldcup with your social media posts.

Join us again tomorrow for another special day and time of prayer throughout the World Cup!

From the Touchline is a short-feature podcast with...

Today’s Nations and Devotions podcast features a prayer for the nation of Iraq. Jeremy Tittle, a Board Member with the Soccer Chaplains United Board of Directors helps to lead today’s prayer and offers a reflection from Psalm 22 and Soccer Psalm 22 about God not wasting the wilderness seasons we go through. Jeremy prays, too, for several of the players that have scored own goals or have had tournament ending injuries as these can feel like wilderness moments. Today’s special hashtag is #iraq for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccer...

Today’s Nations and Devotions podcast features a prayer for the nation of Cape Verde. This tiny collection of islands shocked soccer powerhouse Spain with a 0-0 draw and today they play Uruguay in a group stage game. Matthew Adams, a Board Member with the Soccer Chaplains United Board of Directors helps to lead today’s prayer and offers a reflection from Psalm 14 about not letting the crowd define who we are in terms of life, faith, or football. Today’s special hashtag is #capeverde for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #s...

Today’s Nations and Devotions podcast sees special guest, Gerard Denonairne — a chaplain with Sports Chaplaincy Carribean, join us. Gerard offers a prayer for the nations of Curaçao and Tunisia as both teams play a group stage game. Gerard also shares a reflection from Psalm 8 about how our value isn’t in the scoreboard. Today’s special hashtag is #curaçaoandtunisia for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccerpsalmsworldcup with your social media posts.

Join us again tomorrow for another special day and time of prayer throughout the World Cup...

The daily Nations and Devotions podcast features a prayer for the nations of Australia and Türkiye. Both teams play a group stage game, today. Australia faces off against the United States and Türkiye plays Paraguay. Chaplain Kim Beach (Miss Kim) shares a reflection from Psalm 7 and prays over these two nations today. Today’s special hashtag is #australiaandtürkiye for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccerpsalmsworldcup with your social media posts.

Join us again tomorrow for another special day and time of prayer throughout the World Cup!<...

Today is day 8 of the Nations and Devotions series and today’s podcast features a prayer for the nations of South Korea and Czechia. Both teams play a group stage game. South Korea plays Mexico and Czechia plays South Africa. I share a reflection from Psalm 6/Soccer Psalm 6 concerning injury and the questions that can arise in our minds when we grow through injury or surgery and we need to cry out to God. Today’s special hashtag is #southkoreaandczechia for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccerpsalmsworldcup with your social medi...

Today’s Nations and Devotions podcast features a prayer for the nations of Ghana and Panama. Both teams play a group stage game against each other, today. Today, special guest, Bismark “Nana” Adjei-Boateng, a Ghanian soccer player who once played for the Colorado Rapids and currently plays for plays as a midfielder for Liga I club Petrolul Ploiești in Romania. Nana is a good friend of Brad Kenney and he offers a reflection from Psalm 139 about God seeing what, at times, seems and feels “invisible” when it comes to the work and life of a footballer. Nana prays over his hom...

The daily Nations and Devotions podcast features a prayer for the nations of Austria and Jordan. Both teams play a group stage game against each other, today. Dave Irby of Surge Soccer (recent podcast guest and a Community Project recipient) offers a reflection from Psalm 11 and prays over our two nations today — two nations that he has visited and served in. Today’s special hashtag is #austriaandjordan for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccerpsalmsworldcup with your social media posts.

Join us again tomorrow for another special day and time...

Today’s Nations and Devotions podcast features a prayer for the nations of IR Iran and New Zealand. Both teams play a group stage game against each other. Portland Timbers Chaplain Troy Ready prays for these two nations and offers a reflection from Psalm 51. Today’s special hashtag is #iranandnewzealand for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccerpsalmsworldcup with your social media posts.

Join us again tomorrow for another special day and time of prayer throughout the World Cup!

From the Touchline is a short-feature podcast with Rev...

Today’s Nations and Devotions podcast features a prayer for the nations of Ecuador and Côte d’Ivorie as both teams have a group stage match against each other. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Chaplain Jason Rollins, born in Ecuador and his wife growing up in Côte d’Ivorie, delivers a prayer for these two nations and offers a reflection on always being ready because we never know when and where or how God will use us. Today’s special hashtag is #ecuadorandcôtedivorie for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccer...

Today’s Nations and Devotions podcast features a prayer for the nations of Scotland and Haiti as both teams have a group stage match against each other. Sacramento Republic Chaplain Robert Briggs, a Scottish expat, prays for his home nation and the nation of Haiti as he offers a reflection about playing through pressure from Psalm 3 and Soccer Psalm 3. Today’s special hashtag is #scotlandandhaiti for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccerpsalmsworldcup with your social media posts.

Join us again tomorrow for another special day and time of pray...

Today’s Nations and Devotions podcast features a prayer for the nations of Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The teams face off against each other in a group stage match. I share a reflection about Trusting in God’s Game Plan based on Psalm 19 and Soccer Psalm 19. Today’s special hashtag is #canadaandbosniaandherzegovina for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccerpsalmsworldcup with your social media posts.

Join us again tomorrow for another special day and time of prayer throughout the World Cup!

From the Touchline is a short...

Today’s Nations and Devotions podcast features a prayer for the nations of Mexico and South Africa. Both teams have the amazing opportunity to open up the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. El Paso Locomotives FC Chaplain Mike Richards prays for these two nations and offers a reflection from Psalm 23. Today’s special hashtag is #mexicoandsouthafrica for the Nations and Devotions sticker challenge.

Make sure to use #soccerchaplainsunited and #soccerpsalmsworldcup with your social media posts.

Join us again tomorrow for another special day and time of prayer throughout the Worl...

Today on the podcast, I am joined by former Aberdeen Football Club Chaplain Pastor Barry Douglas. Barry, born in Scotland, raised in South Africa before he returned home, shares his story of coming to faith and beginning in ministry all the way to planting a church in Aberdeen, to his new work today with Northwest Orlando. It’s a fantastic story that we don’t have time for it all, so we will have to have him back. Barry and I also get in a fun game of Crosses with Rev where I learn to pronounce “cullen skink.”

From...

Today on the podcast, I am joined by Founder and CEO of Surge International — Dave Irby. Many years ago, God took the unlikeliest of people and burdened Dave for doing mission. It was a call that he couldn’t escape and led him to working with several sports ministry organizations before founding and starting Surge. Surge International ministers through soccer to help with different needs present with many different people groups. You can learn more through their website. Dave and I also get in a fun game of Crosses with Rev.

From the Touchline is a short-feature podc...

Today is our final podcast for the month of May looking at mental and spiritual health. Today, from the Gospel of Mark 5:1-20, we see the fragile mental state of a man besieged with demons. Jesus heals him. During the podcast we look at the condition of the man and contemplate how often times we dismiss stories like this as fantastical and too amazing to maybe even be true; however, the truth is that many of us are driven into dark, isolating places with our own “demons” (spiritual or not). While the posture of the people from the surrounding town...

Continuing to look at mental, emotionally and spiritual health issues, we turn this week to look at a particular story of madness in the book of Daniel and how a king went mad with his delusions of grandeur and himself. Certainly, pride played a factor, but from King Nebuchadnezzar’s life we learn that there is a warning God intends for us when it comes to building our own kingdoms and brands without Him. Even if we don’t heed the warning God gives, He can still restore us from the insanity that we find ourselves trapped by. You can...

May is Mental Health Awareness month. It’s during this time that here is an increased emphasis on looking after one’s mental and emotional health. Last week on the podcast, we talked about our environment and needing to take an assessment of what voices and other things in our surrounding environment are affecting and impacting our mental and spiritual state. Today, we look at the ways that God meets us in the midst of our own mess.

There are highs and lows in football, just like in life. There are moments when we take on the game...

During the month of May, there is an increased emphasis on looking after one’s mental and emotional health. For the next few weeks on the podcast, I want to look at some biblical stories that deal with individuals who struggled with mental health and some of the changes that they made in their lives and ways that God helped them through a difficult time or struggle.

This week, we look at a moment in King Saul’s life when he was struggling with depression and fear. It was at the recommendation of some of his servants that...

In soccer, we don’t always win. As followers of Jesus, we don’t always have success — at least not in the ways that the world defines success. In fact, the people of God have usually been more characterized by suffering than success. Maybe that’s why Psalm 34 hits in a different way than so many other psalms. What does it look like to praise God, even after a difficult time or some particular adversity?

Soccer Psalm 34 takes David’s experience of having to act insane in front of his enemies in order to escape harm and puts it in...

We’re just 51 days out from the start of the World Cup! And today on the podcast, we look at Psalm 51 and the Soccer Psalm 51. Infidelity is a massive problem in soccer (and professional sport, in general) and Psalm 51 gives us a look at the confession of David after his affair and subsequent impregnation of Bathsheba had been revealed and that first son had died. David offers words and a song of repentance.

Similarly, Soccer Psalm 51 acknowledges sin and the need for God’s forgiveness. Perhaps one of my favorite lines in writing The Soccer Psalms comes with...

Psalm 139 speaks to the way that God knows us uniquely and intimately. This psalm of David speaks to the ways that God knew us before we were even born — and that there was a plan laid out of our lives. What an amazing comfort this can bring in the midst of the moments of crisis or celebration that we go through in this life.

Soccer Psalm 139 mimics that same language by picturing God as a Mastermind Coach or Scout. God is one who knows the athlete — tendencies, mistakes, skills, and abilities — all of it. The athlete can take com...

Psalm 16 has language that resonates in a post-Resurrection Sunday time, “…you will not abandon me to the grave,…” Psalm 16 is known as a miktam — it’s like an inscription. It’s something that one recites to themselves to remind them of truths in the midst of hardship. It’s a mix of praise in the midst of an adverse situation.

I wrote Soccer Psalm 16 as an appeal to God to be working on our behalf like a good agent. With God on our side and looking out for us, he can be helping us into that next situation, that...

During Holy Week, I’ve often talked about “Spy Wednesday” (Judas’ betrayal of Jesus) or occasionally about something around “Good Friday,” but today on the podcast I look at some of the events going on during “Temple Tuesday” (during a time of Jesus teaching in the temple courts). It’s in this moment that the authority of Jesus is questioned by the religious leaders of the day. And Jesus’ response to their questions is classic.

We live in a day and time when authority is questioned constantly. Whether it is governments or political factions that people are rising up against or...

It’s the historic home opener for Denver Summit FC, one of the newest and hottest teams in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Soccer Chaplains United’s very own, Lis Cheesman, one of the volunteer co-chaplains for the team joins the podcast to share about her soccer journey and background and how God has led her to being a pastor at LifeGate Church in Denver, CO and one of the co-chaplains.

Today, on the podcast, in addition to talking about her own background and the beginnings of chaplaincy with the team, Lis plays a game of Cro...

Psalm 90 has one of my favorite phrases and prayers which encapsulates these words of Moses to God — “establish the work of our hands, yes establish the work of our hands.” But in football (soccer) it’s the feet that get used most — so does God establish the work of our feet? Sure, I believe He does. He’s the one who sets out the cones, He marks the lines.

I wrote Soccer Psalm 90 so that athletes in soccer can realize that we have a certain degree of frailty. Many times when we are young, athletic — we can feel invincible...

Psalm 91 speaks to the protection that God offers his people. He is the shelter, the refuge, the fortress where people can go and be safe from the different threats that abound. Soccer Psalm 91 is about how God protects the athlete, the player. Injuries — physical, spiritual, and mental — abound in the beautiful game. Some happen with malicious intent from other people. Others occur as a result of the physicality of the game.

I wrote Soccer Psalm 91 so that athletes in soccer can realize Whom to place their hope and dependence and trust in. God has our back. He loves...

Psalm 100 is a song for giving joyful praise. And behold, in honor of the 2026 FIFA World Cup now being less than 100 days away from kicking off, Soccer Psalm 100 features on the podcast this week. Soon, there will be much celebration and jubilation (and some sadness when one’s team loses) around the world’s biggest stage and tournament.

I wrote Soccer Psalm 100 from the perspective of the fans — those who sit and await the match to begin. They start the party well ahead of the game. There is food and fellowship and footy happening. In the USA, we call...

It’s the home opener this weekend for my club team, the Colorado Rapids. It has me thinking and reflecting on home. I am a Denver and Colorado native (we’re rare these days). And our beautiful state is surrounded by roadway signs that say “Welcome to Colorful Colorado.” But the signs aren’t what you think that they might be.

Today, on the podcast, I reflect more on the “signage” in our life that mark out the home space. The words of Jeremiah, the prophet, to the nation of Israel were filled with hope in a pretty despera...