A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

PRAY FOR THOSE WHO TELL THE GOOD NEWS      

Matthew 9:37-38 “ . . . (Jesus) said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” 

31.6% of the world identifies itself as Christian. Doing the math, that means that 68.4% of the world does not. Citing such statistics can lay a guilt trip on Christians in that most really want to spread the Gospel in some way that those who do not believe in Jesus Christ would hear it and come to believe in Him.   

Today’s devotion is not meant to lay a guilt trip on you or anyone else. Instead, Jesus’ words first emphasize the immensity of the mission field that exists and the scarcity of missionaries going out into the non-Christian world. That is simply a fact. 

Most of you reading today’s devotion are not able for a variety of reasons to go out into the mission field. That, however, does not mean you are unable to participate in mission work. Taking Jesus at His word, He says there is one way you can involve yourself in spreading the Gospel, recognizing that only the Holy Spirit brings a person to faith in Jesus. Jesus said, “Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers. . .” 

The word “ask” here in today’s devotional verse is the same word Jesus used in Matthew 7:7 encouraging prayer. Yes, there is no need for you to leave your home or community to participate in telling people about Jesus. You can set aside a specific time each day to devote yourself to fervent prayer for a mission field (country or region of the world), a specific missionary that you know or your congregation currently supports, or for your own pastor or a pastor you know. Remember, God hears and answers your prayers.   

Your prayers are an important support of “making disciples of all nations.” Pray the “Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field.” 

Prayer: Lord, send out workers into Your harvest field. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Rise, shine, you people! Christ the Lord has entered  
Our human story; God in Him in centered.  
He comes to us, by death and sin surrounded,  
With grace unbounded. 

See how He sends the pow’rs of evil reeling;  
He brings us freedom, light and life and healing.  
All men and women, who by guilt are driven,  
Now are forgiven. 

Come, celebrate, your banner high unfurling,  
Your songs and prayers (My emphasis) against the darkness hurling.  
To all the world go out and tell the story  
Of Jesus’ glory. 

Tell how the Father sent His Son to save us,  
Tell of the Son, who life and freedom gave us.  
Tell how the Spirit calls from ev’ry nation  
His new creation.  

Rise, Shine You People // LSB 825