30 Days of Prayer: Day 5

Prayer sensitizes us to subtle changes in the landscape of our circumstances. – Andy Stanley, Visioneering.

Seeing the harvest field

A few nights ago, I took a flight home, back to the city where I live.  The flight path of our final descent runs us parallel to the city.  I got to sit in the “A” seat, window, left side.  It was dark outside and the cabin lights were dim (as it was very late).

I could see the city lights off to the near left as our plane continued it’s descent and final approach.

I could see all the skyscrapers by the waterfront, with some of the windows lit by their occupants, whether the building was a hotel or apartment.

I could see the millions of street / house lights that laid out the city on the plain.

Looking out of my plane window that night, I simply prayed:

Lord use me.  Use our family to make a difference.

Help us train pastors, help us train leaders.

Let us bring Your word to this place where we have been called.

Lord, send workers to this harvest field.

We’ve been doing some devotionals as a family after dinner, and it’s been a joy to hear our kids take on praying for this city, our work, and “the saints” they know around world.

The field is the world.

Jesus told a parable in Matthew 13:24-30

Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

“‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

” ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ “

Jesus is clear: The field is the world (v. 38).

As I prayed again this morning about the spiritual harvest I saw out my airplane window, my heart pondered the amazing patience of the parable’s.

“Let them grow together until the harvest.”

Out of this common grace of a divine delay, I have been given another day

• to share the good news,
• to live the good news, and
• to bring the good news to our neighbors and strangers in the harvest field.

Today’s prayer

Lord, you’ve placed me in this harvest field.

You’ve given me the eyes to see it.  You’ve been patient in delaying your judgment, giving me time to work in the harvest field.  The harvest is too big for me alone.  Send more workers to this field to join me in this task.

Lord, You know the names I have on my list of friends who need you and your grace.

Use me today to have a conversation about you with one of them, or put me in a place today that they start a conversation with me.

Today’s action

If you haven’t done so already, read how to Make a Prayer list of friends.  Then make one.

You’ll need this list through these 30 days.

Take 10 of those names and spend several minutes praying for their salvation.  As we’ve been praying this week, as the Lord to give you His heart for them.

What is it about your relationship with Jesus that you wish they knew?

Start asking God for an opportunity where your friend asks you about your relationship with God.