Jesus, today is Sunday … the day of Your Resurrection. Thank you!
This prompt to pray, coming at 1:00 today finds me in a different rhythm than most days … Sunday, worship, sabbath, rest…. rest? Sometimes “rest” is allusive … out of reach … in a culture, a life, a world of moving, next thing, busy, hurried, FOMO, and a myriad of ways to escape … I crave something deeper for my soul.
Into this day, you are calling me to pray… not just any kind of call to pray but one straight from your lips set in a story you made sure was recorded for us to engage.
Matthew 9 – “When Jesus 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, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Jesus, You saw the crowds … harassed and helpless … needing a shepherd, a guide, help to navigate life. This scene moved you with deep compassion. You must be thinking the same thing as You look upon the world of humanity I live in… harassed and helpless but Your compassion lensed gaze saw and sees a “plentiful harvest” in need of workers to bring it in. You said pray! You said, “ask!”
Oh Jesus… this world … my world … needs You, needs to know you… is ready for redemption … is ready for some “good news”… the best news. Oh Jesus send out workers … send your Sent Ones. Mobilize your church, mobilize me, mobilize us … Send… send… send … across the world and across the street …lives depend on it.
Mobilize Your people in your mission to serve in church ministries on Sundays and in their jobs on Mondays.
(Take a moment to pray for specific ministries in your church that need workers …. Consider also specific people in your life in need of “good news”… Is He sending?)
Lord, You have given me a vital role … a way to participate … praying for You to send workers. I pray and as I pray, I surrender to the real possibility of being a partial answer to my own prayer!
Jesus, thank you for calling me to contend in prayer with You for spiritual renewal and awakening in every heart, home, church and region. Pour out Your Spirit, awakening the lost to faith, readying Your church to join You in Your mission and sending workers into the fields ripe for harvest.
Amen