“You could feel it in the atmosphere: Iceland is on the brink of crazy revival” — That’s how American missionary Mikayla Payiatsos describes her recent ministry trip to Iceland. In partnership with local churches and recovery ministries, Mikayla and her team spent 12 days witnessing what many believe is the beginning of a spiritual awakening in the north.
A Nation on the Brink
‘’Iceland is a nation pregnant with promises,’’ Mikayla explains. ‘’God has spoken so many prophetic words over the land, and now He’s looking for people who will say yes and help birth these prophecies.’’
Iceland is a nation pregnant with promises.
Despite its natural beauty and tight-knit community, Iceland has one main stronghold: deep-rooted addiction, mainly in drugs and alcohol. The team joined forces with Teen Challenge, a Christian rehabilitation ministry, visiting a halfway house where residents are rebuilding their lives. Through worship, testimonies, and prayer, the team saw emotional and spiritual breakthroughs.
Freedom Reigns in Jesus’ Name
‘’We were there just to really love on the people and just show them the heart of Jesus. Even while we were there, so many of the people were really deeply impacted,’’ Mikayla recalls.
She continues: “One girl told us, ‘You’re the best friends I’ve ever had.’ She was crying as we prayed—God was clearly touching her heart.”
Another man, who gave his life to the Lord when the team was there, had struggled for several years with insomnia. After two days, he shared that after prayer, for the first time in a decade, he slept without medication. “He walked in with the biggest smile on his face,” Mikayla says. “He kept saying, ‘I slept! I’m doing so great!’”
Healing and Salvation on the Streets
While many moments took place inside churches and centers, one remarkable transformation happened right on the streets. “A group of young guys were mocking our team and cursing at them,” Mikayla says. “But one of them challenged us, saying, ‘If Jesus can heal, prove it.’”
Moments later, that very young man was completely healed of hip pain and gave his life to Jesus on the spot. This young man then preached to his whole friend group—much like the Samaritan woman at the well that Jesus met.
Young Hearts on Fire
The trip also featured a youth-focused weekend, doing workshops on creativity, worship, evangelism and also on hearing God’s voice. “They’re teenagers, so they try to act cool,” Mikayla laughs, “but you could see how impacted they were about hearing God’s voice for themselves.”
Mikayla continues to share with a heart filled with gratitude: “We ended the weekend with a worship night, and something broke open. You could see hearts becoming more engaged, more open to the Spirit. We just really feel there’s something on the youth and that they’re going to be catalysts for revival in the nation.’’
The youth will be catalysts for revival in the nation!
The Bound Set Free
Moreover, during a church service from a ministry that leads people on their sobriety journey, nearly the entire room—about 100 people—responded to an altar call after a testimony was shared.
“Almost every single person stood up and came and received prayer,” they said. One woman, hesitant at first, agreed to receive prayer and was deeply moved. “She was crying… and said, ‘I really think that this is something that I needed.’”
The team witnessed openness and hunger for God. “These people are so open to even just receiving prayer… it’s so beautiful.”
Generations of Prayer Bearing Fruit
Local Christians had been faithfully sowing into Iceland for decades. “We met with believers who’ve been praying for revival for over 30 years,” says Mikayla. “They told us, ‘We’ve been waiting for this. You’re the answer to our prayers.’”
Mikayla believes what’s happening now is just the beginning. “Iceland is ready. Revival is coming. It’s like that old game—‘Don’t Break the Ice.’ One little tap at a time, God is cracking the surface. And soon, it’s going to break wide open. Then there will be a crazy revival, an outpouring of the spirit of God.”
