The Workers Are Few
Wherever [Jesus] went, he healed people of every sort of disease and illness. He felt great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn’t know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields.” Matthew 9:35-38
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Jesus saw the people not just as a whole massive group but as individuals suffering from pain, sickness, and grief. And while he felt deep compassion and healed them of every kind of disease and illness, he also enlisted his disciples to pray for more workers, for the harvest was ready, the kingdom was at hand, and the workers were few.
People are no different today. Many around us are lost and lonely. Their problems are great, and they don’t know where to get real help and restoration for their broken lives. So the Lord of the harvest is imploring us to join him in the great commission by praying for laborers who will be his hands and feet on this earth, those who will bring lost sheep home to the shepherd.
Prayers:
LORD, I am so grateful that you heal every disease and illness that afflicts people. I pray that you will send laborers who will bring your healing and transforming power to the lives of people who don’t know you. And while I am praying for workers, please make me willing by your Spirit to join you in the harvest fields. You and you alone are Lord of the harvest. Let your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven!
Quotes:
There is no royal road to becoming a worker for God. The only way is to let God in his mighty providence in one way or another get the life out to sea in reckless abandon to God.
Oswald Chambers (1874–1917)
The One Year Bible readings for today are: Genesis 28:1–29:35; Matthew 9:18-38; Psalm 11:1-7 and Proverbs 3:11-12.
