MORNING MANNA 7-7-23
A PRAYER REQUEST FROM JESUS
How would you feel if Jesus Himself walked into the room and said, “I have a prayer request”? If He asked you to ask for something would you ask? Well, the fact of the matter is that He has made such a request. It’s recorded in Matt. 9:38– “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” And I might add–He is in the room with you, whether you sense His presence or not.
Notice, Who made this request. It is a prayer request from Jesus– the One whose judgements are always correct, motives are always pure, words are always true, demands are always righteous, will is always right, ways are always best. How can you deny Him?
Notice, What the request is for — “pray”. He didn’t ask for any personal comforts or luxuries. He didn’t ask them to marshal an army to overthrow the heathen government, or to protest the injustices of the day, nor to seek the advice of the “experts” to solve their problems, nor to construct a beautiful cathedral with stained- glass windows, or to grow the biggest church in town. He simply asked them to “pray”.
Notice, Why the request was made–“therefore”— “The harvest truly is plenteous”. Indeed it was, and it is even more so today. There are over 7 billion people in the world today and only a handful are saved. There are about 24,000 people groups in the world, each with their own language, culture, and customs. Many of these do not have the entire Bible in their own language. Should that not concern us?
— “but the labourers are few”. This is true for several reasons— we are in the minority, we are sometimes lazy, we often have the wrong priorities, conflicts within our ranks, pluralism (the belief that one religion is as good as another). But, whatever the cause, we ought to pray. We should consider the Lord’s request as a command, and obey Him. Will you grant His request? Will you obey His command? Will you do as He directs? Will you “pray”? Will you pray faithfully, frequently, and fervently? Those who ignore His request might be ignored when they make their request. Sin hinders prayer. If you’re not willing to pray as He directs you cannot expect Him to hear you when you pray for what you desire. If this doesn’t move you to pray what would? When is the last time you asked God to call men from your congregation to preach? Never? Really? Why? Those who refuse to pray are admitting that they are unconcerned about the deepest needs of others and the desire of the Lord they profess to follow. That should drive us to our knees in prayer. – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
