Jesus Asks for a Particular Prayer
When you think of the specific prayers that Jesus asks us to pray, which ones come to mind? Do you remember that there are particular prayers for which Jesus specifically asks us to pray? I hadn’t much thought about it, until I recently read Luke 10:2. Then, all of a sudden I realized that Jesus did ask us to pray for some specific situations. In Luke 10:2, we see one of those times in which Jesus asks us to pray for something in particular.
Luke 10:2 Context
In Luke 9, Jesus had sent out His twelve apostles to proclaim the kingdom of God, heal the sick, and minister to the people. (Luke 9:1-6) After they had come back, there was more healing and proclaiming of the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:11) Jesus fed the five thousand. (Luke 9:12-17) Peter acknowledged that Jesus is the Christ. (Luke 9:20) There was the transfiguration. (Luke 9:28-36) Many other miracles took place as well in Luke 9.
Then, in Luke 10, Jesus appoints 70 disciples to go out, much like his twelve apostles to proclaim the kingdom of God, heal the sick, and minister to the people. (Luke 10:1) In Luke 10:2, Jesus is telling those 70 disciples and probably anyone else who is around listening, to …”pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” Meaning of Luke 10:2
So, what is the meaning of Luke 10:2? For what is Jesus asking us to pray? Who are the laborers and what is the harvest? Is Jesus talking about picking tomatoes, beans, pea, corn, and wheat from the garden? Does Jesus want more farmers?
No, the laborers, in this case, are people who proclaim the kingdom of God. The laborers are people like you and I who love God and want share God’s Word, God’s plan, God’s will, God’s way, and God’s kingdom with the world. People we commonly think of in this role are priests, pastors, ministers, evangelists, and missionaries. We may also think of people like Christian school teachers, Sunday school teachers, Vacation Bible School teachers, youth group leaders, or even Bible Study authors and Christian faith blog writers. They all proclaim God’s Word and go out into the world to share the good news of Jesus. Yet, I believe that you and I can be put in this group during the course of our every day lives. We can share God’s love, God’s Word, and God’s kingdom with our family, with friends, with coworkers, with strangers on public transportation or in a store, with friendly people, and with people who reach out in hurtful ways. There are many times in life when we have ample opportunity to share God’s truth and God’s ways with others. Now, that we understand the laborers, what about the harvest? What is the harvest? I have seen many explanations and definitions for the harvest as it pertains to verses such as Luke 10:2. What is your definition? To me, the harvest refers to all those people who are with God and give their life to God, both here on earth and in heaven. It may be the people who are written in the book of life. It is all those who are part of God’s family and inherit the kingdom of heaven with Jesus as coheirs. Thinking in this way makes us part of the laborers and part of the harvest. Sometimes, I think it is easier to be part of the harvest, but look on the sidelines in the laborers group. We may hear God’s Word and believe God’s Word. Yet, we may not be doers of God’s Word. We might be poor laborers. On the other hand, we might think we aren’t laborers, because we aren’t called to be a pastor or a missionary and we minister to others in our everyday lives. We might be doers of God’s Word without even thinking about it. (I believe the truth of this is different for all of us and between each individual and God alone.) Pray for Laborers
Jesus asks us to pray for laborers. First he sent out twelve and then he sent out 70. There are many more laborers than that today. He wants our help in building God’s kingdom. He wants us to all share God’s love and to share in salvation. That can only happen if more and more people know God’s Word, believe that Jesus died and was raised for our salvation, and give their lives to God. For all this to happen, more people need to share God’s Word to more people in the world. We call all have a part of it.
We all might not be able or called to be missionaries, or give financially, or help house people, or teach people the Word of God. However, one thing that we can all do is pray. We can pray that God sends more people to minister to others. We can pray that those people touch the lives of others in a way that glorifies God. We can pray that those people have the strength to do the will of God despite any worldly hardship. Prayers for Laborers
Praying comes in many forms. Sometimes there are written prayers and sometimes there are prayers of the heart. Praying can be difficult for some, especially to come up with words. Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit to help us, especially when we don’t have the words. Here are some sample prayers for laborers you may choose to use.
Prayer Based on Luke 10:2
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word. Help us to be doers of the Word instead of just hearers of the Word. In Luke 10:2, Jesus asks us to pray for you to send us more laborers to build up your kingdom. Help us to be those laborers. Help us to share your Word and heal the sick. Help Christians who are doing your work. Keep them safe from temptation and the evil of others. Encourage them with your love and your Word. Help us to have a close relationship with you and follow the example of Jesus. And, help us to rely on your Holy Spirit to tell us the words to say or the actions to do as we minister and share with others. I ask you this through your Son, Jesus. Amen. Personal Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love and creation. Thank you for your Son, Jesus, and for your Holy Spirit. I love you and pray that many others come to love you as well. Be with those who share your Word, including me. I know it is difficult at times to share your love and your Word in a world full of evil and hate. I know that there are so many people that are being persecuted for being Christians and for building your kingdom. Please protect them and give them strength. Touch the hearts of more people so that there are more who go out and spread your Word, share your love, and heal more people. Help us all to have the courage do your will despite any hardships. Help us to be beacons of your love as well as say and do things that glorify you. I ask you this through your Son, Jesus. Amen. Please Join Me in Prayer
Whether you use one of the prayers above, another prayer you found, or something from your own heart, I hope that you will join me in praying that God sends more laborers to help build His kingdom. Please, pray that you and I are obedient in His calling as well. Thank you. God bless.
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This is Jodi. I am so glad you are here! I am a Christian and life-long learner. I enjoy sharing and encouraging others. I pray you are blessed by this blog. Thank you for being here. Archives
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