The Commands of Jesus

ASK THE LORD FOR HARVEST WORKERS

Matt. 9:35-38 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”

Luke 10:2 ”The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”

John 4:35  ”I tell you open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”

ASK THE LORD FOR HARVEST WORKERS

In Mathew’s gospel the context of this plea for workers gives many details: Jesus has been preaching and teaching the good news in many towns and he healed every disease and sickness. Yet in looking over the crowd he has compassion on them because they are “harassed and helpless” like lost sheep. The Message says “his heart broke” because they are “confused and aimless.” Jesus is moved because their spiritual needs are even more desperate than their need for physical healing. This is often true of us and our world. Aren’t today’s people in our nation as well as other nations “harassed and helpless?” Aren’t many “confused and aimless?” Aren’t our spiritual needs at the root of many of our troubles?

Jesus’ call for harvest workers is not as simple as I thought. He tells the disciples to PRAY to the Lord so he will send more workers. Jesus in effect is saying our prayers make a difference. Our prayers to God for workers are effective and result in people hearing God’s call. Are we called to be workers? We should first pray and then wait for God’s specific call on our lives. What does he want me to do? There is a great need for many workers to help our sin-sick world.

PRAYER FOR HARVEST WORKERS

Father, we need harvest workers to reach out to the hurting and lost people in the world who don’t know you. We pray, as Jesus commanded, Lord, send out workers. Show us how to impact others spiritually so they can come to know you. Show us the ways you want us to spread the good news and win disciples to you. We pray for the many missionaries and ministries around the world who reach lost and desperate people offering them food, water, shelter, and medical care as well as teaching them about you. Bless and empower them. May all Christians reflect your glory to the world so you can set them free. 

Blessings, Dottie