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“Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field” says the Lord
Matthew 9:38
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The analogy of sowing followed by harvesting is familiar because it is used so frequently
e.g.. in the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20, 26-29) Jesus uses it to make plain both the nature of mission (“sowing the word”) and its limitations (“the seed grows, though he does not know how”). It is the work of the Lord of the harvest that is paramount, and without the seed producing its crop the sower’s labour is wasted. Prayer that calls upon the Lord of the harvest to honour his word and give growth to the seed is as vital as safeguarding the purity of the seed, so that when we preach it is authentic seed that is sown. We know that inevitably much will be lost along the way, but we press on believing that where the seed takes root in good soil there will be an abundant crop.
But Jesus’ words in Matthew 9:38 are not focused on the work of mission so much as on the need for workers. Although it is God’s harvest field, the work is accomplished by workers. In the first instance we are not told to volunteer ourselves or to nominate others, but to ask God, as Lord of the harvest, to send out workers.
Throughout the Bible the importance of intercessory prayer is continually highlighted, so that we should pray earnestly and not give up praying. Precisely why this is necessary is not spelled out for us, beyond being urged to pray “according to his will”. We are however assured that our prayers will be effective, making a real difference. In Matthew 9:38 Jesus takes us back
a step from praying for mission and urges us to pray for more workers to be sent out. Are we doing this? Can we do it more?
It is Crosslinks’ privilege to facilitate workers being sent into God’s harvest field – according to Matthew 9:38. Your prayers can make it happen.
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April 2004 index