I have never thought of it this way before, but it hit me this morning and it suddenly gave me a different perspective.
I have always thought of Jesus' words, "pray to the LORD of the harvest" as a command (Luke 10:2). It has never bothered me that this is considered a command because Jesus' heart is so pure and full of love. A Shepherd longing for the care of His sheep.
But this morning as I was reading about a tree producing good fruit, if it is good it will produce good. If it is bad it will produce bad fruit. I was praying over a friend and thanking God that she is willing to listen to Jesus' PRAYER REQUEST to be a laborer. She is willing to go into the harvest where there are few laborers. I see good fruit in her.
My heart immediately felt deep awe. Did you catch my prayer thought?
Praying for the LORD of the Harvest to send more laborers into the harvest was Jesus' PRAYER REQUEST to the 70 disciples.
When someone gives me a prayer request, they are revealing what is deep inside them. It reveals their love and honestly desire for fruit. Interestingly, it can reveal quite a bit about the heart of the person both good and bad.
I take prayer requests seriously. I confess I can be overwhelmed by so many, at times. But, I know it reveals the heart so I try to pray in the moment because life moves fast.
This made me wonder, how many times did Jesus actually give the disciples a prayer request?
Based on what came to my heart, I had two immediately come to mind. This one and at the Garden of Gethsemene.
1. To pray for laborers to be sent (Luke 10:2)
2. To pray against temptation (Luke 22:40)
Both are often discussed as commands. Rightfully so, but what if we looked at them with the same heart as a prayer request? Not just any prayer request, but a prayer request from the heart of Jesus? How might this change our heart? How might this shift our prayers?
As I considered both of these circumstances (need for laborers and temptation), they require great strength, well, actually supernatural strength. We cannot do either in our own power or authority. But, if we invite God into these then we discover supernatural power and authority to slay temptation, go, send, and equip so others can slay temptation, go, send and equip.
I don't know about you, but I love the heart of Jesus. He knows we struggle. He knows our world is a struggle. He cares enough that He gave us the way to pray in these circumstances through His prayer request! When we pray for laborers and against temptation, we are praying the heart of God. This makes my heart so much more willing to seek intentionality in my prayers.
Father, please give us ears to hear! Help us to know how to pray! Help us to stay awake and pray. Help us to slay temptation! We see the pain in our world. We understand why Jesus had compassion on the suffering of the people.
We beg You for more laborers, people who are willing to bear good fruit because they have prayed against temptation.peopke who are willing to go, eqip, and send.
Come and show us how to honor Your prayer requests so our world might know You. In Jesus' name, amen!
If you think of another moment when Jesus gives a prayer request please share it with me!
It is so important to be in the Word, be with Jesus, so we can be transformed.
Shalom y'all!
