Lord of the Harvest, Pt. II

“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 ESV]

Lord and Master of the Harvest,

Reorient my thinking from the man-centered foundation of missions prevalent today and help me remember that You are the Lord of the harvest! The harvest is for Your purpose! The harvest is for Your people! The harvest is for Your Kingdom! The harvest is for Your glory!

My earnest prayer is obedient worship to Your command. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to You. It is Your harvest, and we are Your laborers. You have called and commissioned laborers to carry the Gospel to all nations. We pray, and You send. We give, and You provide. Laborers go, and You give the increase.

Lord, shape my earnest prayer by Your compassion. Your command produces more than obedient duty. It becomes obedient delight as I lean into the grace of Your compassion at work in my heart, reaching out to the nations with joy through diligent prayer.

Lord, fortify my earnest prayer in confidence by Your enduring faithfulness. You never fail to draw Your people to pray, in faith and with hope, for the labor force who will advance the Gospel to fulfill and reap the harvest that you have prepared for your glory.

Lord, open my ears to hear your call and eyes to see the priority of Your harvest. Lord, am I the answer to my earnest prayer? Lord, are You calling me to labor in Your harvest fields? Lord, will You use me to mobilize others to join me in going to the nations? Not my will, but Yours be done!

Lord, give me eyes to see the harassed and helpless, knowing that most of them are the unreached and unengaged peoples of the world. Move me with compassion and urgency to pray for pioneer laborers who will consider Your worthiness as the primary motivation to take the Gospel to those who live in remote and hard to get to places.

Lord, turn my heart and voice to worship You, The Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. For by Your blood You have ransomed, the fruit of the harvest, people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. I bow before You in earnest prayer that You, the Lord of the harvest, would send out laborers into Your harvest!

For Your glory alone!
Amen.