PRAY FOR NEW WORKERS

Matthew 9:35-38

If Jesus Christ Himself walked into your prayer meeting, and you asked Him, “Lord Jesus, is there anything that you would like us to pray for,” what do you think Jesus’ response would be?

I believe His response would be similar to a prayer request He gave almost 2,000 years ago to His disciples then. If you count yourself as one of His followers, then take this prayer request from the heart of your Lord very seriously.

Jesus was in the middle of a busy evangelistic campaign preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. As He traveled around, He noticed two problems (which any active witness will also notice even today).

He noticed the problem of a plenteous harvest, many thousands of people fainting and scattered, with no shepherd, in need of hope, peace, love, fulfillment, and forgiveness.

He also noticed the problem of a scarce workforce. He noticed that the number of believers engaging in bearing the message of forgiveness, hope, peace, love, and fulfillment were few. Too few. The supply was not keeping up with the demand.

So Jesus, the Omniscient One, offered one solution. He turned to His disciples and said, “Pray that the Lord of the harvest would sent out laborers.” New laborers. He didn’t say, “Pray for the harvest.” (i.e. souls to be saved) He didn’t say, “Pray for those already in the harvest.” (i.e. missionaries, evangelists, pastors already in the ministry) He said, “Pray for new workers to be called.”

New missionaries. New revivalists. New evangelists. New pastors. New teachers. Christ said, “Pray for new laborers.”

Is this prayer request on your prayer list as an individual?

What about your family prayer list that you all pray through during family altar or family devotions?

What if I looked at your church’s prayer bulletin? Would I find the Bridegroom’s request on the bride’s prayer list?

If this prayer request is not on your prayer list(s), why isn’t it?

And why shouldn’t it be?

The story doesn’t end there. Here’s what happened as a result of that prayer request.

1. In Matthew 10, Jesus made the disciples the answer to their own prayer for new laborers. They went out and served. If you start praying this prayer, perhaps God may call you or your child(ren) to be the answer to your own prayer.
2. In Luke 10:1, Jesus sent out 70 more laborers. This is a prayer Jesus is really interested in answering. The twelve began praying and Jesus answered abundantly! Let’s pray for laborers today! Jesus will answer!
3. In Luke 10:2, Jesus repeated the request for new laborers to the 70. (Anyone who repeats any prayer request twice must think it’s an important request!) Even then, after sending 82 new workers into the harvest fields of tiny Israel, He still believed the harvest was too plenteous and the laborers still too few. If that was true then, what about now?
4. In Luke 10:17, the 70 returned with joy and a successful report. When God’s people pray, and God starts answering, He will send those laborers out in power, so much so that even their most formidable foes, the demons, will be subject to them in Jesus’ name! Exciting!
5. In Luke 22:35, the Lord asked the disciples if they had lacked anything when He had called them and sent them out without shoes, bags, or extra clothes. They admitted, “We didn’t lack anything.” God takes care of His own. Those who go out will have their day to day needs met, even if they go out with nothing. With the Lord as our Shepherd, we shall not want.

So…

Will you add Jesus’ prayer request to your personal prayer list?

Will you add Jesus’ prayer request to your family altar prayer list

Will you add Jesus’ prayer request to your church’s prayer bulletin?

If so, sit back and get ready to watch God work!!!