Prayer and mission have always worked in cooperation – never independently.

In Acts 1:4, Jesus indicated to the disciples that they needed to pray then wait to receive the gift that His Father promised – The Holy Spirit. Then in verse 8 of the same chapter we read, ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you’. What happens next? ‘…you will be my witness… unto the ends of the earth’. Therefore pray, and wait; receive the promise of the Spirit and go be my witnesses in all of life.

He’s a thought!

Have you ever thought that Jesus actually gave this command to 500 disciples, according to 1 Cor. 15:6. However, only 120 disciples actually obeyed this command Jesus gave in Acts 1:4. Whatever happened to the remaining 380 disciples? This calculates out to 76% or 3 out of 4 disciples who did something else. Is that not still the case today? Most of us know how important prayer and mission (sharing the good news about Jesus and the kingdom) is, but due to other things, we do not put into practice that which we know is important… sharing Christ and the message of the Gospel.

Friends, the more we behold Jesus in prayer, the more we will be changed (Phil 3:10-11) and the more the Lord of the harvest will release you and others like you, as labourers into the harvest (Matt. 9:37-38). Everyone has a harvest field they are connected to each and everyday. That’s where we need to sow; that’s where the kingdom of God is to be seen…prayer connects us to that reality.

The only solution Jesus ever gave for the problem of world evangelization was prayer and enthusiastic and willing workers. It’s never changed! Friend, we have the capacity to make a difference in our world through prayer and mission.

In your mission field (where you live, work and worship), how can you reduce the 76% figure and make a real difference in society and creation?

Friend, ‘…the harvest is plentiful…’