“A Lifestyle of Prayer”

Those Who Are Sent!

“He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’”  
Luke 10:2 (NIV)

As we continue our Lifestyle of Prayer emphasis, this week’s focus is to pray not only for those who are sent, but also praying about how you can be both a sender and one who is sent.  When Jesus asks His disciples to pray for workers to be sent out into the harvest field, the answer to their prayers was that He sent them!  As we prayed last week about being on mission with God, we are reminded that some people are sent to foreign lands and others are sent into the everyday workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods which are common parts of life.  As you pray this week, ask God to help you be obedient in sharing Jesus everywhere you are sent.  Pray that you would understand the circumstances of where you are so that you would accomplish the purpose God has for sending you there.  Pray for the wisdom and courage to be both one who sends and one who is sent.  Pray for humility to recognize the whose harvest field you have been sent to and who the harvest belongs to. 

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) 

Please pray each day for God to help live as one who is sent.

Sunday: Pray for your church staff, the preaching and teaching that takes place, the church leadership, the volunteers that are helping in so many areas, the spiritual and financial health of the congregation, and the work of the missions ministry of the church.  Pray for me (Tom Lemler) and the work of Impact Prayer Ministry.

Monday: Sent To Invite.  Pray that you would be actively involved in reminding people of God’s invitation for all to come to Him and find rest.  Pray that your life would be lived in such a way that your invitations for others to encounter Jesus would be attractive to them.  “At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’”  Luke 14:17 (NIV)

Tuesday: Sent Into the World.  Pray for courage to live as one sent by Jesus into the world to be His representative.  Pray that your life would reflect to others the work accomplished by Jesus through His ministry on earth.  Pray that the vastness of the world would not distract you from noticing the part of the world you currently live in.  “As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”  John 17:18 (NIV)

Wednesday: Sent To Help.  Pray for the wisdom needed to be a helper to those who would sent you and to those you are sent to.  Pray that God would surround you with people to help you do the things you can’t do on your own.  Pray for eyes which are opened to the needs of others.  “He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.”  Acts 19:22 (NIV)

Thursday: Sent To Preach.  Pray that you would live as one sent to proclaim the good news of Jesus through both your actions and your words.  Pray that you would be involved in sending others to proclaim Jesus in places you can’t be.  “And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”  Romans 10:15 (NIV)

Friday: Sent From God.  Pray that your words and actions would carry a sincerity which comes from God.  Pray that God would purify you from all selfishness so that your words to others would always be representative of one being sent by God.  “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.”  2 Corinthians 2:17 (NIV)

Saturday: Sent To Strengthen.  Pray that you would carry with you the good news of Jesus in ways which strengthen  others.  Pray that you would be strengthened by the influence and example of others as they share with you the work of God in their life.  “We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith.”  1  Thessalonians 3:2 (NIV)