Tom reaching out at Minnesota State University in Mankato in September inviting students to the Harvest World Evangelism Conference Oct. 13-15. Pray for laborers!

By Tom Shanklin

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Matthew 9:37-39 KJV

Jesus was pouring Himself out in ministry—preaching, teaching, and healing. He was seeing great results, and yet He was burdened. There was SO MANY PEOPLE fainting and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. 

And so it is today. We are laboring, we are preaching, we are teaching, we are bringing His healing to people, and yet SO MANY PEOPLE still need help! SO MANY PEOPLE are scattered under a cloud of confusion from the philosophies of this world and are fainting from a lack of spiritual nourishment.

What is the answer? Laborers! Workers who are willing to go into the fields and reap the harvest of souls. There are men, women, boys, and girls who are ready and waiting to come into the Kingdom of God through the preaching of the Good News. They just need someone to come to them with the Good News that brings everlasting life. Then they can be refreshed and find guidance from the Good Shepherd.

Jesus said to pray to the Lord of the harvest. Sometimes we underestimate the power of prayer. We think of prayer as our Christian duty. But prayer is much more than a duty. It is a powerful privilege! Jesus taught us that through prayer we could move mountains. Yes, through prayer we can change the course of history!

I have studied many great moves of God from years past. They vary greatly in their scope and nature. But one thing I have consistently seen is that before God moved, someone prayed. 

I was recently reading about the Ulster Revival of 1859. It began with one newly converted man from northern Ireland who decided to pray. His name was James McQulkin. He had been converted as the result of a witness of an English woman who had come to the area to reach people for Jesus. She had left discouraged, thinking that her efforts were a waste of time. McQuilkin had overheard her speaking to another lady about the new birth and became convicted of his need for salvation.

Inspired by the writings of George Mueller, the newly converted McQuilkin gathered three other men to pray and study the Bible with him weekly. They began to pray for an “outpouring of the Holy Spirit.” People began to be converted and the prayer meeting grew to about 50 people. Others were converted from nearby towns and the work began to grow. 

McQuilkin became a powerful preacher and began to travel to nearby towns, preaching in churches and in the open air. Others began to preach as well. The Holy Spirit moved in a powerful way and people were struck down with conviction and arose born again. As a result, over 100,000 people came to Christ in 1859. Some 100 prayer meetings were held in schoolhouses, homes, barns and workplaces. Most of these meetings were led by normal church people, including a recently saved butcher. 

Many thousands of people in Wales, Scotland, and England were also converted through powerful moves of God that were spawned from this revival, and missionaries were sent forth to the nations of the world. This all happened because one woman decided to share Christ, and one man decided to pray. That is why when Jesus saw the great needs around Him, He said, “PRAY!!!”

But prayer must be followed by action! That’s why He said, “Pray for laborers!” After Jesus called His disciples to pray, He gave them authority over unclean spirits, and power to heal sicknesses and disease. Then He sent them forth to preach, to heal, and to cast out devils. “Freely you have received, freely give.” He said. Give the people what I have given you. We see that … 

1. He called them to pray.
2. He empowered them.
3. He sent them forth.

That is why I am encouraging you this month to pray. Pray and obey! Ask God to give you others who will pray with you. Pray for laborers! Pray to the Lord of harvest! Pray for the move of God! Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit!

It all goes back to Jesus’ compassion for the scattered fainting sheep. His compassion eventually led Him to the cross, where He died for sins of the world. Through that one act, He delivered mankind from hell and provided eternal life in heaven. Now, we are called to be moved by that same compassion, and to be activated to proclaim the message of forgiveness for those who will turn from sin and follow Him.

As we are preparing for our Harvest World Evangelism Conference on Sunday-Tuesday, October 13-15 in Mankato, PRAY! Pray that hearts will be changed, that laborers will be sent, and that the harvest will come in. Clear your schedule and come! I believe we all will be reignited and changed! Click here for all the details of the conference schedule, venue, hotels and more.