And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few;  therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.” Matt 9:35 -38 ESV

I wonder what Jesus would make of Edinburgh, Scotland and the world we live in now if he was physically walking thoughout the earth? The encounters may differ from Ancient Israel but Jesus’ heart for the lost hasn’t changed. His compassion is as real today as then, and there are so many today harassed and helpless and going their own way.

The command here however isn’t to go, or do more, or work harder…. It’s a command to pray. The harvest is the Lords. Its His work and it will be ready in His time. But we are invited to partner with Him by praying for more harvesters. By doing so, we become like him in caring for the lost, we will remember our dependence on Him in the work, and we will partner with him in His mission.

• Pray we might see as God does and have hearts of compassion that cry out for the lost
• Pray we might sense the urgent need in the lives of those around us and be willing to prioritise evangelism in our prayers and in our own harvest fields
• Pray God would send out harvesters to places where there are not yet harvesters.
• Pray we would be willing to go where God calls us.

Join us as we pray these things together this Fridays evening