.PRAY TO THE LORD OF THE HARVEST
The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. --Mt 9:37-38
Jesus went about cities and villages, teaching in synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and disease among the people.
He was moved with compassion for the multitude, because they were weary and scattered; like sheep having no shepherd. Recognizing this dilemma, He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
We often focus on God’s ministry by simply doing the work; going about the cities and villages, busying ourselves at church, and wondering why there are only a few of us participating in the gospel.
Actually, God knows the situation of the church. He knows that the laborers are few, so He reminds the few that are serving Him to do something more than just the laboring—He tells them to pray so that Lord of harvest would send out more laborers to help.
Jesus understands that those of us who are working hard for Him cannot possibly do everything or fill every role in the church. So He asks us to pray that God would move the hearts of others to come out to serve Him. This is also our duty; to pray for the growth of the church as we serve Him.
Therefore, do not look lightly on the power of prayer. Even as Jesus Christ was among His disciples, He still emphasized the importance of prayer, and it was to start with those who served beside Him.
Let us turn to the Lord to send forth reapers to share in the joy of His harvest.
Questions for reflection:
1. How often do you pray for the workers in the church and the spreading of the gospel?
2. Do you make it a priority in your daily prayers to pray for more laborers?