Meeting guide · command 35

Pray for Laborers

Ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers into the abundance of people needing compassionate gospel ministry.

Read

Read the complete passage aloud.

Primary passage

Matthew 9:35–38

35 Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest.”

World English Bible

Luke

Luke 10:2

2 Then he said to them, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.

World English Bible

Seeing harassed and helpless crowds, Jesus is moved with compassion and tells His disciples that the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

Discuss

Listen carefully to what Jesus says.

  1. What does Jesus command?
  2. What does this passage reveal about Him?
  3. Where do we resist this command?
  4. What is difficult or unclear?
  5. How does Jesus' compassion change the way we see the people around us, and where might He be sending us as we pray?

Practice

Choose one specific act of obedience.

Pray daily for three named people and for workers to serve them. Then ask Jesus whether one small act of witness or care is yours to undertake.

Return

Come back and discuss what happened.

For whom did you pray, what need became clearer, and what invitation to serve or speak did you notice?

Close together

Pray. Then prepare to teach.

Pray

Lord of the harvest, see those who are weary and scattered. Send faithful workers, prepare open hearts, and make us willing to go where you lead.

Teach

Connect the command to Jesus' compassion, not recruitment pressure; prayer precedes sending and invites disciples to become available without manipulating others.