Monday, September 26, 2011
Praying For the Harvest
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Podcast Episode Summary
The ultimate direction of our prayers is the Kingdom of God. How do we pray for the Kingdom of God? A great example is Jesus in Matthew 9:35-38; we must think, feel and act as He did. 1) He saw people’s need for Him and their depravity without Him, “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (v. 36). We have to see people in light of salvation, as Jesus saw them. 2) Jesus “had compassion on them” (v. 36). We must get past our selfishness to care for others. Compassion is a work of grace in our hearts, and is only possible through prayer. Once God opens our spiritual eyes to see people as He saw them, we can also have the heart of God to feel for people as He does. 3) Jesus had hope for the people. Unbelievers are not just depraved people, but also a harvest of souls that can be brought to God. So we can never give up on those around us who do not know God.
After seeing the harvest, Jesus says to pray to God to send workers. Why does He do this? 1) He wants us to know the power of prayer in the Kingdom work, and to bless the world as an answer to prayer. Prayer is the foundation of the gospel ministry. 2) Jesus wants us to participate in the Kingdom work from the inside out. He wants us first to have the heart of God first; and as we pray, He changes our hearts. Only then can we be sent out to spread the gospel.
Who are the workers whom we pray for? 1) Existing workers. Pray for the people who are already in the field—pastors, leaders, missionaries, evangelists, etc.—that they will continue to be faithful in their calling. 2) Future workers. Pray for more people to evangelize and serve. Pray for the next generation—the children. Pray for one another, that we will participate in the Kingdom work. 3) Our individual selves. Each one of us who believe is a worker. We must be open and willing to go wherever God sends us, and it may not be overseas, but we must start in our families, schools, workplaces, circle of friends, spheres of influence, etc. Let us say as the prophet Isaiah said: “Here I am, Lord. Send me."
Speaker: Pastor Jin Ho Kim
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