Day 23

23- Praying For The Harvest 

These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So, pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Luke 10:2 

My children have probably heard me say at least a hundred times, "work smarter, not harder." This statement is intended to make them think about what they're going to do before they jump in and do it, so they take the wisest course of action. I've also said this to teach them that its “smarter” to ask for help when they need it. Instead of struggling to move something heavy all by themselves, they can ask their dad for help. That is smarter, instead of the hard work of moving it by themselves. It's another way of saying, "you don't have to attempt the project alone." Working in the harvest field ("fishing for people”) is something you're not intended to do alone. In fact, it's not just "harder" to do alone, it's impossible to do alone. If you try to harvest alone, you will absolutely fail. We need help from the "Lord of the harvest."

Read John 6:44.

• What does Jesus say needs to happen before people come to Him? 

* * * * *

Read John 16:7-11.

• Jesus told his disciples that He was going to send someone to help them. Who was Jesus sending? According to verse 8, what was the Holy Spirit going to do? 

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Without the Holy Spirit working to convict lost people of their sin and the Father working to draw people to His Son to save them, our efforts to harvest are useless. We may try harder, but it's not smarter. We need God’s power enabling us to fish for men and reap a harvest.

Working smarter means praying... asking God for help. Corrie ten Boom said, "prayer is powerful. The devil smiles when we make plans. He laughs when we get too busy. But he trembles when we pray." Let's spend a few minutes praying.

• Take a moment now to write the names of three spiritually lost friends. Now spend a couple minutes praying, asking the Father to draw your friends to Jesus, and asking the Holy Spirit to convict them of their sin and their need for Jesus to forgive and save them.

• Now ask the Lord of the harvest to raise up workers (fishers of people) for the harvest. Remember that it is God's field, and He desires a harvest. 

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Are you willing to be a worker for Him? Would you like to see a friend of yours who is a believer become a worker? Write down their name. Tell God you're willing to become a worker in His Harvest and pray for that friend right now to become a worker too.

Read Colossians 4:2-6.

The Apostle Paul asked his friends to pray with him and for him. What can you ask the Father to do for you as you

work (smarter) in the harvest?

v.3 - that He will ________ doors for you to share

v. 4 - that you will proclaim the gospel ________

v.5 - that you will be _______ in your conduct

v.5 - that you will recognize _________ and take advantage of them

v. 6 - that you will share with humility and ___________ (engage, not enrage people)

v. 6 - that you will ask good questions and provide good  ___________

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Apart From Him…

• Pray for lost friends who are in the harvest field. Ask God to draw them to Jesus and convict them of their sin. Ask Him to give you opportunities to share with them, that you will share clearly and graciously, that you will have good answers, and He will use you to reach them. 

* * * * *

Walking As Jesus…

• Tell the Lord that you will be a worker in the harvest field. Tell Him you will do your part, but you need Him to do His part. Call a friend and tell them you are committing to be a worker in the harvest and ask them to pray for you every day. Give them Colossians 4:2-6 and ask them to pray that for you every day. 

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• My Personal Disciple-Making Plan: