Once again, we are revisiting the article7 Scriptural Prayers for the Lost by David Butts. The seventh prayer focuses on what Jesus told His disciples to pray for in Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV): “Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers (workers) are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers (workers) into His harvest.’” You never pray more like Jesus asked than when you pray this way. Are you actively praying for the Lord to raise up those willing to witness, and are you willing for Him to use you?
The author continued, “Jesus made it very clear to His disciples what their mandate would be — bringing lost people into His Kingdom. Never has there been a time in history when more people were in need of Jesus — all across the earth. Jesus said we are to ‘beseech’ the Lord. Other words for “beseech” include implore, beg, and plead. Are we willing to pray the price of eternal life for countless loved ones, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and even those we have never met?”
Pray — Lord of the Harvest, awaken my heart more fully and move upon the hearts of those who have yet to discover their usefulness in the amazing harvest that is ripe and ready to be gathered. Give us compassion for those who are lost!
Lord, so many are wandering in darkness every single day, and so many others are completely without hope. Show me how to bring others with me to step into the harvest field together. May we be faithful to pray earnestly for the lost who are unreachable by human contact, but who can be reached through the power of Your Spirit as we pray! We ask that You raise up more workers — more people who will tell their God stories to the lost across the street and around the world!
Listen — Take some time to wait expectantly before the Father. What is God revealing to your heart? Is there a response, a change, an act of repentance or forgiveness that needs to be paid attention to? Is God showing you a next step towards being the answer to the prayer you just prayed?”
So, what next steps do you need to consider taking to make this challenge a reality? You need a plan to integrate prayer into your culture and daily rhythms. Our Healthy Church Solutions Church Mobilization Toolkit describes a pathway to church health, mission, and multiplication. The best place to begin that journey is by developing a church prayer strategy. The goal is supplication and intercession, including prayer activities, scheduled calendar events, and the selection of prayer leaders. This resource is best used by people who are passionate about prayer. If you would like a copy of the Church Mobilization Toolkit, you may email me (larry@bmaglobal.org) or Heidi (heidi@bmaglobal.org) to request one.
Consider the following prayer activities to determine which can be developed to support the mobilization process. Utilize the prayer activity calendar included in the Church Mobilization Toolkit to schedule a variety of prayer initiatives for the next year. Then pray specifically for the mobilization team and process. Pray for the wisdom and protection of individual members by name. Pray for this team to have clear direction for the formation and implementation of your own prayer initiative. Have intercessors pray during all leadership meetings.
Mobilize all small groups to pray for the mobilization process by providing a short, up-to-date list of mobilization items. Plan a special or occasional congregational prayer event, including guided prayer for lost people by name, Scripture, and worship. You can also plan a special event to bring cleansing prayer for the hearts of your people and for pure motives. Pray through a timeline of the church’s past, asking for healing or release from all the troubled spots. Use prayer in the main church services to focus your people’s attention on the work of the prayer team.
Consider training your people how to have prayer walks in their neighborhoods with an eye for specific needs and people. Pray with your eyes open. You could write or develop a unity prayer that focuses on the church’s unity in mission to reach lost people, and read or recite it at mobilization team meetings. As you continually pray for lost people by name, provide a visible place in the church to record those names for prayer. Also, keep an updated list of prayer requests specific to the mobilization process for leaders and groups.
Teach and practice the discipline of fasting and prayer specific to your situation, especially when you face resistance. Consider using Dr. Elmer Towns’ book, Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough, as a teaching resource. There are other biblically sound books and studies on fasting as well. Pray about who should be a part of this prayer strategy and decide the best way to recruit them to the prayer team. A personal invitation is usually better than a general announcement.
Here are five specific requests or ways to pray for your church’s mobilization in reaching the lost and living on mission. “Lord, help us to understand the reality of where we are. Lord, give us eyes to see the needs in our community. Lord, help us to let go of these ministry activities that are no longer useful. Lord, bless and protect the leaders of this congregation. Lord, give us unity of heart and mind.” Now pray and ask God to give you five more specific requests that are directly to your church, in your context, and given to you by the Holy Spirit.
Schedule these prayer activities weekly, monthly, or quarterly on a calendar for all to see. Begin where you are, and there is no better time than now. Here are some great questions to ask as you develop your prayer strategy. What needs to change in your church’s current prayer strategy? Are you recording your unique discoveries in who and what to pray for and how God has answered? Do you have designated times and spaces for prayer? Have you considered a prayer room dedicated 100% to prayer? May these seven Scriptural prayers move us from awareness to burden to action.
