Monday, November 17, 2008
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Prayer for Missions
"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Matthew 9:37-38, Luke 10:2).
Jesus spoke these exact words on two separate occasions. The first time was when he sent out his twelve disciples into ministry (Matthew 10). We are told that, "He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness" (Matthew 10:1) and then sent them out not to the Gentiles or Samaritans (half-Jew/half Gentile), but to "the lost sheep of Israel" with the instructions to preach that the kingdom of heaven — the reign of God — was near, and to "heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons" (Matthew 10:7-8). Not only did their status change from disciples — meaning followers — to apostles — in other words, sent out ones — but they now had authority given them by Christ Jesus himself — a transfer of the authority to minister that he had received from the Father. And within that authority, they had power available to do the kind of work that would make it evident that the kingdom of God was invading the kingdom of darkness.
In Luke 10, we are told that, "After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go" (Luke 10:1). I've never really made the connection before but it is obvious that the twelve apostles not only went out and did the kingdom work, they also prayed as they had been instructed. Where there were only twelve missionaries previous to this, now there were seventy-two! The Lord of the harvest was multiplying the work force he was sending out as the result of the prayers of his people! The seventy-two were sent out with similar authority and instructions about kingdom work with power. When they returned, we hear the report:
"The seventy-two returned with joy and said, 'Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.' He replied, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven'." (Luke 10:17-20).
As they walked in their authority, kingdom work was accomplished. The power of darkness was forced to give way to the kingdom of light. We have authority "to overcome all the power of the enemy!" That is because of God and God alone! And it comes as a result of prayer to the Lord of the harvest. Notice as well, that Jesus encourages them not to be distracted by the authority that they had nor the stuff of ministry but to keep their eyes on the actual harvest, "that your names are written in heaven." Now there were another seventy-two people who were praying to the Lord of the harvest to send forth workers. This is all about increasing the workers in the harvest field, not just putting on a bigger or more spectacular show of power.
In the gospel of John, Jesus is "caught" ministering to a Samaritan woman at a well at Sychar, and he says,
"My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest" (John 4:34-35).
And his word comes to us today. It is still God's will to bring more people into the kingdom, a multitude that no one can number (Revelation 7:9). It is still the will of Jesus to finish the work that he was given. There is still a harvest to be brought in. And it is exciting to see that for the first time in a long time, we seem to be gaining ground!
We need to continue to pray that the Lord of the harvest will send forth workers. And, to be able to do that even more effectively, we are now including a link enabling you to pray for a new unreached people group each day on our website. I encourage you to read all of the material that the Joshua project — named for the reference to once again taking the promised land, this time, the whole earth! — has made available. The harvest is coming in! The church is growing worldwide! This is an exciting time! So pray. Locally and globally. For workers to be sent out. For them to go out in kingdom authority. That all the world may know this wonderful good news that we have received!
"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14).
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