Risky Prayer

Daily Reading: Matthew 9 

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 9.36-38) 

Devotional Thought:  That is a risky prayer to be prayed!  Jesus is moved when he sees crowds of people who are without hope, and if we pray earnestly for him to send out laborers, he just might send us!  Notice some things from this passage: 

Jesus was proactive and pro-people!

• He went around doing the work of the kingdom.  He wasn’t content to say, “Let them come to me.”  So often we adopt the attitude that they can find their way to Christ.

• He saw people who were harassed.  “Harassment” today may come in the form of social media doxxing, threat of terror, economic fear, uncertain health care, and crumbling morality.

• He saw people who were helpless.  The people of his day could do nothing against the oppressive Roman government, or seemingly against the ultra-legalists who “ran” the church. 

• He saw people who lacked guidance and care (without a shepherd).  In the midst of their harassed and helpless condition, they had no one to show them a better way, no one to join them in their suffering.

 Jesus’ heart was moved.  So, he challenged his disciples:

• To see the same things he saw.  Do we have eyes for the harvest?

• To pray for God to send “shepherds” to those people.  Are we struck by the lack of caring, guiding voices among people who are away from God?

• To be willing to go as workers into the harvest field.  This challenge was implicit rather than explicit.  But, all we know from the teachings and mission of Jesus is a challenge to us to be willing to go and bring help

Are you proactive and pro-people?  Let the Spirit of God challenge you to see, to pray and to go! 

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that your heart is moved with compassion for the harassed and the helpless - including me!  Send out workers to share the good news of your love. Help me to have a heart like yours, that I may be willing to go.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 87:1-7

1 On the holy mount stands the city he founded;

2 the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.

3 Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. Selah

4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush-- "This one was born there," they say.

5 And of Zion it shall be said, "This one and that one were born in her"; for the Most High himself will establish her.

6 The LORD records as he registers the peoples, "This one was born there." Selah

7 Singers and dancers alike say, "All my springs are in you."