“Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest…” (Luke 10:2)
What’s revealed here about God is He has come near – He’s out in the open, He’s not hiding, but rather He’s here and near you. Yes, God is listening, and He wants you to ask Him. It seems to beg the question: Why are we not asking? We rather do it in our strength rather than trust Him in His.
What should we ask and pray? As Jesus says, pray for God to send workers into his harvest. Did you catch that? You are not sending yourself. The Lord alone is the one who sends. Also, this harvest belongs to God himself! He knows what He is doing! God not only owns the harvest, but He also owns the workers and the fields themselves. God will provide for His own glory. So pray for additional future co-laborers in the field along you.
Laboring in the harvest does not always look like being a pastor, missionary, or a Sunday school teacher. It can look like financial support and prayer. That’s why Jesus says to pray — because it’s God who will send out workers.
Notice Jesus describes himself as the one sending his disciples like lambs among wolves. Why? Because, like lambs, we are vulnerable, foolish, and dependent creatures. We often forget how dangerous the world is, even in a place like Hawaii. We get complacent and forgetful to pray.
So then, remember you reside in a war zone. Remind yourself of your need for God to shield and protect you. Say to Him: Be my shield! Be my protector! Be my provider!
Before sharing Jesus, pray for peace. But if you are rejected by neighbors or coworkers or loved ones, know this peace will return to you. Notice Jesus tells his disciples to proclaim that God has come near, regardless of the circumstance – even rejection. That’s so gracious of Jesus! He doesn’t tell the disciples to pray for brimstone upon those who reject the disciples or to make sure the unbelievers eventually get cancelled on the Internet. No, no no! Disciples are to give the same gospel message that Jesus has come. Therefore, pray that you may have the same gospel love within you as Jesus to announce that God has drawn near. Pray for courage to speak the truth in love faithfully. Justice will come in the kingdom of God eventually, but first pray for the peace that comes from only Jesus.