“Then He said to His disciples, The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. So pray to the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38 Amplified Version
The word “pray” as used here in the Greek (deomai) literally means a prayer with urgency. It reflects perseverance and is based on a deep heartfelt need. It is not a casual ask. Likewise, the Amplified Version reflects that urgency by using the Greek word ekballō, meaning to “force out” or “thrust”. As such the prayer is for the Lord to move hard and with urgency on the hearts of believers to force them out into the harvest field. It reflects more than just a casual ask of the Lord to send workers.
Many of us would rather someone else be called into the harvest field to “make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). But the harvest field is ripe. Time is getting short. Are we praying this prayer? Are we praying with urgency? Are we praying with a listening ear? In Isaiah 6:8, the prophet Isaiah heard the Lord asking, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? Isaiah replied, “Here am I; send me.”
The harvest field awaits. Are we listening? Are we willing to answer the call?
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