Prayers to cultivate a mission-oriented heart and mind
Written by Vivian Bricker
Bible reading:
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and disease. When he saw the crowds, he had pity on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers into the harvest field.” (Matthew) 9:35-38).
Listen or read below:
Mission has been a passion of mine since college. My missionary professor fostered in me a passionate desire to reach a lost world for Christ. He and his wife served as missionaries in Thailand for about 30 years. He was working on his Ph.D. A paper I wrote when I was asked by a university to teach missionary work. I owe much of my knowledge and intercultural communication skills to him. He truly encouraged his students because he wanted to see us succeed as the Lord’s workers.
As part of my secondary mission, I was required to complete an internship. During this time I traveled abroad to England where I stayed with three different families. Two of these families were missionaries and one was a local family. Each family was a wonderful host and helped me develop a deep heart for ministry. Despite the difficult aspects, I left the field with a greater appreciation for the work being done and a closer relationship with God.
There are many great mission boards out there, and I’ve been connected to them for many years. I am very encouraged by their efforts. Although I am not currently serving in the ministry field, I still contribute to the Great Commission ministry by educating others about the needs of the ministry (Matthew 28:18-20).
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and curing every sickness and disease. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, for they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers.'” (Matthew) 9:35-38).
As Jesus healed the sick and spent time with the oppressed, he felt deep compassion for them. Then the Lord told His disciples that the harvest was plentiful, but there were not enough workers. What Jesus said to them then still speaks to us today.
The harvest is the lost world, those who are ready to hear the gospel, and the workers are those who go out to share the gospel. There are still countless groups and communities of people who need to hear the good news. They know nothing about the Lord. As Paul says, “How then can you call on someone who does not believe? And how can you believe on someone who has not heard? And how can someone hear without preaching? And how can anyone preach unless he is sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of the one who brings good news!” ” (Romans 10:14-15).
We have a small number of employees, but you can be one of them. Even small acts like sponsoring a missionary family or simply sharing information about a mission committee can have a meaningful impact on Kingdom work.
Ask the Lord to cultivate a mission-oriented heart and mind in you. Pray about it and ask God for guidance. Perhaps God is calling you into the field of ministry, as a teacher, as a church member, or through the business of ministry. Jesus will give you discernment and direct your heart to the harvest.
Let’s pray:
The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Please send more workers to the harvest, including me. Guide my heart to understand where and how You want me to serve. Whether you call me into the ministry, to serve from home, or to equip others, I am faithful to your guidance.
Help me to have compassion and love for those who have been lost, just as you do. Change my heart and mind to focus on Your mission and not my own desires. Use my words, actions, and obedience to equip others with the knowledge of the gospel.
People die every day without knowing you, so you don’t have time to waste. Please draw everyone to yourself.
Thank you, Lord. Amen.
Join the conversation! Please share how today’s devotional spoke to you in the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo credit: ©Unsplash/Priscilla du Preez
Vivian Bricker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry and then a Master of Arts with an emphasis in Theology. She loves theology, ministry, and all things helping others learn about Jesus. Check out more of her content on Cultivate.
Related Resources: What if God’s heart for you is kinder than you think?
This episode of Talk About That laughs with stories about children’s books, volleyball mornings, St. Patrick’s Day, and even the questionable legacy of power teams, but beneath the humor is a thoughtful conversation about one of the deepest questions of faith: how God views us. John and Johnny reflect on the weakness, pity, and conflict that many believers feel as they accept that God is not only patient with them, but is willing to call them his own. This is an honest and encouraging reminder that our relationship with God is not built on performance, perfection, or “having it all,” but on God’s love, grace, and fatherly joy for His children. You will be challenged to see yourself not through the lens of self-criticism, but through the steady and benevolent eyes of a God who knows you fully, loves you deeply, and may be rooting for you more than you realize. If you laughed out loud while listening to this episode, be sure to follow Talk About That on Apple and Spotify.
