Harvest
Jesus urges His followers to pray fervently for those who will go out and spread the gospel of the kingdom.
Harvest (Written by guest writer David Peterson)
Scripture informs us that Jesus traveled through cities, villages, and the countryside, teaching in synagogues the gospel and healing the afflicted. He had compassion on the crowds, who were “like sheep without a shepherd.” Then, in Matthew 9:37–38 (and also in Luke 10:2), it says:
“Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.’”
Jesus was referring to a spiritual harvest of souls to be saved. He urges His followers to pray fervently for those who will go out and spread the gospel of the kingdom. Prayer is essential in fulfilling God’s plans.
The always-refreshing A.W. Pink wrote these words on Jesus as the Lord of the harvest:
“It’s true that [many] are praying for a worldwide revival. But it would be more timely, and more scriptural, for prayer to be made to the Lord of the harvest, that He would raise up and thrust forth laborers who would fearlessly and faithfully preach those truths which are calculated to bring about a revival.”
Pink emphasizes the power of prayer—that Jesus would send forth workers on His behalf to grow God’s kingdom.
“Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” is an English Christian harvest hymn written by Henry Alford in 1844. The fourth verse reads:
Even so, Lord, quickly come,
bring Thy final harvest home;
gather Thou Thy people in,
free from sorrow, free from sin,
there, forever purified,
in Thy presence to abide;
come, with all Thine angels, come,
raise the glorious harvest home.
Alford beseeches Jesus to begin the final harvest of souls and bring salvation to all.
Let us pray:
Dear Lord, we pray that You would send out more laborers into Your harvest, to bring in the plentiful harvest that You have provided. Equip and empower them with Your wisdom, strength, and love, so that they may work tirelessly to bring in the harvest. May Your will be done in all things, and may Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
