And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:35–38)Did the disciples pray as instructed? Likely. And the next few verses tell that they were the ones sent out to labor in His harvest!
Rarely have I heard anyone pray this way. Perhaps most are like me; I don’t want to ask God to send out workers because I’m not keen about being sent. My early excuses were three children who need their mother. Then my husband’s work keeps us moving too much and I cannot fit in missionary work with being a supportive wife. Other reasons may not have been as reasonable. Now I’m just too old.
Yet none of these are a problem for God. My sister had three kids, and ran a business, but she was also a harvester. Her grandchildren all love Jesus because she saw them as Jesus does — sheep without a shepherd. If that were my only example, it is enough to make me pray as Jesus instructed.
I’m finally learning how to put the Lord into everyday conversations. He keeps surprising me and as my story comes out, His Name is part of it. Sometimes just the mention of His Name results in meeting a brother or sister in Christ that I would otherwise not be aware of their faith.
More often, most people say nothing. However, a wise sister in the Lord reminds me that God can bring my words back to them when they need to hear them. Praying this way might be more like planting seeds than bringing in a harvest. Or more like watering and nourishing someone else’s work than reaping the results, but when God nudges me to be the answer to my own prayers, how vital to realize the value of being part of His work in the lives of those who do not yet know Him.
Lord Jesus, I can make excuses, but You are able to bypass that foolishness and use people as You choose. Prayer like this merely makes us more aware and more willing. Work in my heart as I pray that You will keep working and putting Your people where we can do the most good to build Your kingdom.