Lord of the Harvest,
I come this morning, asking, in the Name of Jesus, that Thou wouldst transform CRCC into a soul-winning church.
Oh LORD, so many people…SO many people…are lost. There is so much pain. There are so many who know of Thee but do know Thee. They are all around us. People who have rejected the Bible, rejected church, and rejected the Christ of the Scriptures. People who have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. People who have been beaten up by life and circumstances. People who have given up. People who are trapped in the power of sin and perversions. People trapped in false belief systems. People work hard against Thee. We were once these people. What mercy Thou didst show in saving wretches like us!
Master, You declared that You came into this world to seek and to save that which was lost. You said You came to set captives free. You said Your church must go into all the world and preach the Gospel.
You suffered, bled, and died for sin, to pay the penalty we owed. You endured torture and mocking and public humiliation. You died the death of the worst, most shameful criminal even though Thou wast innocent! Merciful King, Thou hast redeemed us! You hung on the cross bleeding and in pain that we might be justified by Thy grace! You died that we might be delivered from the power of death and You rose that we might rise with Thee!
Oh LORD, Thou hast commissioned us to Go and Make Disciples of all Nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Thou has mandated a mission for us! You’ve given us a purpose!
But Merciful LORD, we have been slack. The harvest is plentiful. We however have a laborer shortage. We have sinned greatly against Thee by not diligently seeking the lost, the broken, and the hurting. Please forgive us and restore unto us the joy of Thy salvation. This joy should cause every believer to want others to have the same!
LORD, we need Thy power.
Wouldst Thou grant us the Power to Reach people? Master, in our day it is so difficult to open our mouths with Thy truth. In such a cynical, hostile, Gospel-hardened age, we struggle with fears of conflict and rejection. SEND THY SPIRIT LORD that we might lose our fear! So many are lost but do not realize it. Worshipping the idols of media, politics, causes, sex, money, knowledge, and self, they cannot see their state. Hell is real! Eternity is real! Oh LORD, empower us with love and boldness and passion and knowledge of Thy Word. Help us to not only do good deeds but also open our mouths and declare that men must REPENT and BELIEVE in the Son of God!
Wouldst Thou grant us the Power to Teach people? This is why we must have ears to hear and eyes to see ourselves. How can we truly disciple people if we ourselves do not believe what Thou hast said? Oh LORD, help us to see our individual and congregational responsibility to be ambassadors for Thee! You are making an appeal of reconciliation through us! We each must make disciples! We must not be ashamed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of salvation to every one that believeth! Jesus, show us those among us who we must invite and love into discipleship. Help us to not just teach with our tongues, but also with our lives. Truly LORD, make us living epistles that can be known and read by all men.
Wouldst Thou grant us the Power to Release people? First from their sins through the Gospel. Then released into fruitful, joyful, loving, obedient, holy and sanctified lives of service unto Thee! Oh LORD, the saying is true: if everyone who named Your Name came to church there wouldn’t be enough room! If everyone who said, “I’m saved” actually served, there would be few needs! LORD Christ, cause our lives to be more intentional. Help us focus on that we Thou has commanded! Help us to be hospitable. Help us usher others into Kingdom service. Help us show our children the same. Master, people are confused. But your church is the pillar and ground of truth! Help us point the way to the holy path of Kingdom life.
Oh LORD, our enemy works hard to keep people deceived. We are waging a vicious spiritual war. But the weapons of our warfare are not carnal; they are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds!
LORD, help CRCC to get our armor on and engage in the battle.
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." Eph 6:10-20
Oh LORD, the terrible Day of Judgment approaches. It is appointed unto every one to die and after this face the judgment. This is most serious. May our church become more serious about winning lost people, filling our church with visitors that they might hear the Gospel, and personally making disciples.
LORD, help us to understand that Scripture is Sufficient. Thy Word is perfect. Help us not be ashamed of all Thou hast taught us, for these things aid (not hinder) the making of disciples. Satan would have us believe the opposite! Help us to fully embrace Thy Word that we might more fully embrace the lost. May we be moved to action.
Thank You LORD for hearing our prayers.
Amen.
