Praying for Laborers: The Call to Action
Summary
In a compelling sermon, the speaker addressed the critical issue of the church's lack of prayer for world missions, drawing attention to the minimal time spent in corporate prayer and by individuals, including pastors and married couples. The speaker emphasized the urgency of praying for laborers to be sent into the Harvest, citing the example of Moses' desperate and earnest prayer for his people as a model for intercession.
George Murray introduced the sermon by reflecting on the powerful worship and the song "Behold Our God," setting the stage for an exploration of Matthew 9:35-38. He underscored Jesus' example of going through towns and villages, teaching, preaching, and healing, and His compassion for the crowds. Jesus' instruction to His disciples to pray for more workers in the Harvest field was a central theme, with Murray emphasizing that Jesus never asks His followers to do something He hasn't done Himself.
The speaker shared personal experiences and practical ways to become more aware of the unreached, such as engaging with resources like Operation World and participating in short-term mission trips. They highlighted the significant growth of Christianity since 1945 but pointed out that the Harvest is still plentiful, with many people around the world who have yet to hear the Good News.
The sermon also made a strong connection between prayer and action, noting that in the Greek New Testament, there is no division between Matthew 9 and 10, which illustrates the immediate response of calling and sending out disciples after praying for laborers. The speaker warned that those who pray earnestly for laborers might find themselves called to be the answer to their prayers.
Reflecting on the song "People Need the Lord," the speaker encouraged listeners to observe the world around them with compassion, as Jesus did, rather than focusing on material possessions. They also discussed the distribution of True Believers and the need for more workers in the Harvest field, emphasizing that while some may feel limited in their ability to go or give, prayer remains a powerful and accessible contribution to the mission.
Key Takeaways:
- The church's engagement with world missions is not just a matter of financial support or sending missionaries; it is fundamentally rooted in prayer. The speaker highlighted the stark contrast between the time dedicated to prayer for missions and the actual need for laborers in the Harvest. This gap calls for a renewed commitment to fervent, persistent prayer as a primary means of supporting the global mission field. [01:08:32]
- Jesus' example of compassion and action serves as a model for believers today. He not only taught and healed but also physically went to the people. The speaker emphasized that Jesus' instruction to pray for Harvest workers is preceded by His own example of going out into the field. This demonstrates that effective ministry involves both prayer and following Jesus' footsteps in active service. [40:20]
- The growth of Christianity is encouraging, yet the vast number of unreached people highlights the urgency of the Great Commission. The speaker's personal practice of praying for different places with their family serves as an example of how believers can cultivate a heart for missions in their daily lives, recognizing the plentiful Harvest and the need for more workers. [58:40]
- Prayer is intrinsically linked to action in the Christian life. The speaker's reference to the continuity between Matthew chapters 9 and 10 underscores that prayer for laborers is often the precursor to being sent out as an answer to that prayer. Believers are encouraged to be prepared for action when they commit to praying for the Harvest. [01:15:02]
- The speaker's challenge to observe people in everyday settings, such as a mall, with the compassionate eyes of Jesus, serves as a powerful reminder of the Christian call to see beyond materialism and recognize the spiritual needs of those around us. This perspective shift is essential for believers to truly embody the compassion of Christ and engage in meaningful evangelism and missions. [51:56]
The sermon concluded with a call to recognize the vastness of the Harvest and the scarcity of workers. The speaker urged the congregation to take seriously the command to pray for laborers, reminding them that prayer is something everyone can do, regardless of personal limitations. The message was clear: the church must prioritize prayer for missions, look at the lost with compassion, and be ready to respond to God's call to action.
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV): "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he 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.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Jesus take as He went through the towns and villages according to Matthew 9:35?
2. How did Jesus feel when He saw the crowds, and why did He feel that way? (Matthew 9:36)
3. What specific instruction did Jesus give to His disciples in Matthew 9:38?
4. According to the sermon, what is the connection between prayer and action in the context of missions? [01:15:02]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the need to pray for more workers in the harvest field? What does this reveal about the nature of the mission field? (Matthew 9:37-38)
2. How does Jesus' example of going to the people and having compassion on them challenge our current approach to evangelism and missions? [40:20]
3. The sermon mentioned that prayer is often the precursor to being sent out. How might this understanding affect the way believers approach their prayer life? [01:15:02]
4. Reflecting on the speaker's personal practice of praying for different places with their family, how can this practice cultivate a heart for missions in our daily lives? [58:40]
### Application Questions
1. The sermon highlighted the minimal time spent in prayer for world missions. How can you personally increase your commitment to praying for laborers in the harvest field? [01:08:32]
2. Jesus' compassion for the crowds led Him to action. How can you develop a similar compassion for the people around you, and what practical steps can you take to act on that compassion? [49:36]
3. The speaker suggested observing people in everyday settings with the compassionate eyes of Jesus. How can you intentionally practice this in your daily routine, such as at work, school, or even at the mall? [51:56]
4. The sermon mentioned the significant growth of Christianity but also the vast number of unreached people. How can you and your small group support missions, both locally and globally, beyond just financial contributions? [58:40]
5. Reflect on the idea that those who pray earnestly for laborers might find themselves called to be the answer to their prayers. Are you open to the possibility that God might be calling you to take a more active role in missions? How can you prepare yourself for such a calling? [01:15:02]
6. The speaker shared practical ways to become more aware of the unreached, such as engaging with resources like Operation World. What specific resources or activities can you incorporate into your life to stay informed and engaged with global missions? [56:02]
7. Considering the urgency of the Great Commission, what steps can you take this week to share the Good News with someone who has never heard it before? How can you overcome any fears or obstacles in doing so? [59:25]
Devotional
Day 1: Prayer as Mission's Foundation
Prayer is not a secondary aspect of missions; it is the bedrock upon which the church's engagement with the world is built. The stark contrast between the minimal time spent in prayer and the vast need for laborers in the Harvest calls for a renewed commitment to fervent, persistent intercession. This is a call to action, to align the church's priorities with the urgency of the global mission field. [01:08:32]
Colossians 4:2-3 - "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains."
Reflection: How can you incorporate a dedicated time for praying for world missions into your daily routine?
Day 2: Compassion in Action
True discipleship involves following Jesus' example of compassion by actively going out into the world to meet people's needs. Just as Jesus taught, healed, and showed compassion, believers are called to embody these actions in their own lives, demonstrating that ministry is both a matter of prayer and presence. [40:20]
1 John 3:17-18 - "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can show Jesus' compassion to someone in your community this week?
Day 3: The Plentiful Harvest
Despite the growth of Christianity, the number of unreached people underscores the urgency of the Great Commission. Cultivating a heart for missions involves being aware of the global need and recognizing that the Harvest is indeed plentiful. This awareness should stir believers to pray earnestly for more workers to be sent into the field. [58:40]
Matthew 9:37-38 - "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.'"
Reflection: Can you commit to learning about one unreached people group this week and pray for them specifically?
Day 4: Prayer Precedes Action
In the Christian life, prayer is often the catalyst for action. The seamless transition from prayer to being sent out in Matthew 9 and 10 illustrates that those who pray for laborers may find themselves called to be the answer to their prayers. This is a reminder to be prepared for God's call to action in response to prayer. [01:15:02]
Acts 13:2-3 - "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off."
Reflection: Are you willing to be the answer to your own prayers for more laborers in the Harvest field?
Day 5: Seeing with Compassionate Eyes
Christians are called to view the world through the compassionate eyes of Jesus, recognizing the spiritual needs of those around them. This perspective shift is essential for engaging in meaningful evangelism and missions, moving beyond materialism to see the true needs of people's hearts. [51:56]
Luke 10:33-34 - "But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him."
Reflection: When you are in a public place this week, take a moment to observe the people around you. How can you pray for them with the compassion of Jesus?
Quotes
"The Harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." Jesus uses this farming analogy to illustrate the abundance of spiritual opportunities and the need for more people to step up and do God's work. [57:12] (Download)
"Therefore pray earnestly to the lord of the Harvest to send out laborers into his Harvest." [01:09:15] (Download)
"The average Bible believing Church like first Evan spends no more than one and a half minutes a week corporately in prayer for World missions." [01:08:32] (Download)
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." [39:22] (Download)
"Jesus can tell us to go because he went. Jesus never asks us to do anything that he is not willing to do himself." [40:20] (Download)
"If you take this seriously and begin to pray earnestly that the Lord will send out laborers, don't be surprised if the Lord comes to you and says, 'I want you to be the answer to your prayer.'" [01:16:26] (Download)
"It's possible to look and not be moved, but it's impossible to be moved without looking. Are you looking intentionally at lost people that you see every day in this city of Memphis?" [53:18] (Download)
"To have compassion means to have your stomach tied into a knot. [...] What was it that tied Jesus' stomach into a knot? Answer: lost people." [46:53] (Download)
"Why aren't we more like Jesus here? [...] When's the last time you or I cried over a lost person? [...] It's because we're not looking." [47:46] (Download)
"When the PBS special comes on about the poverty in Haiti, change the channel. But when he saw the crowds, his stomach got tied into a knot." [48:39] (Download)
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