The Lord of the Harvest
This past semester I’ve taken part in a class called Christian Spiritual Formation. The most recent assignment due was a “Rule of Life” - basically a formally written document expressing foundational principles by which I can grow with God throughout my life. Pretty hefty stuff!
The first half of it I spent writing out some major statements that have always been central to who I am (like my ultimate purpose in life, and my central message to the world). And if that wasn’t challenging enough, the second half I spent writing out specific disciplines that I will engage in to intentionally open myself up to the Holy Spirit’s transforming power (something we all need more of!).
One of the “disciplines” I committed to was praying a specific prayer at 10:02pm each night. Why in the world would someone do that? Actually, quite a few people already do. See, they’ve read Luke 10:2b, a verse in which Jesus tells his disciples to “ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into the harvest”.
This is not a simple prayer - there just aren’t enough people to reach the whole world for Christ. And many of the people who are workers are all working in the same parts of the field! We need all kinds of people to work all parts of the harvest field. We need punk rockers, retirees, Cherokee, chefs, and all things in between. Lord of the harvest can already see them in the harvest fields! As we pray the 10:2b prayer, we ask God specifically for those who will be brought out from the harvest, and put to work to find their friends among the wheat.
Let’s spread the workers out! Many megachurches in America have spent a way too long in the upper to middle-class white suburban parts of the field. Keep those workers there, but invite them if they feel ready to begin praying the 10:2b prayer…at 10:02 each day! What might happen if a MILLION people prayed this prayer? What on earth could be impossible after that?
Last 5 posts by Mark
- God is Wholly - October 2nd, 2008
- The Great Moderation - September 30th, 2008