Robin J Johnson
When the vision for a million praying men was launched “Five Battlefields” were listed as priority prayer focuses. Each of the five are important. However, the first battlefield — “World Evangelisation, World-wide Revival” — must remain our first priority today and in the days to come.
“Our first priority in prayer must be for the spread of the Gospel. God’s purpose that all people in all nations will hear the Good News is still heaven’s priority and therefore it must be ours. All our activities must serve the ultimate and number one command which Jesus gave to His disciples; the Gospel of the Kingdom of God preached in all nations.”
Decade of Harvest
Recently an exciting initiative has been launched with the aim that everyone on earth has an opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus.
2023 – 2033: A Decade of Evangelism for Everyone
This is an initiative from the global leadership of Empowered 21
For further information and to find out how you can be involved, please click on the links provided above.
Two crucial statements of Jesus:
As the crowds emerged from the village, Jesus said to his disciples, “Why would you say, ‘The harvest is another four months away’? Look at all the people coming—now is harvest time! For their hearts are like vast fields of ripened grain—ready for a spiritual harvest.” John 4:35 (TPT)
When he saw the vast crowds of people, Jesus’ heart was deeply moved with compassion, because they seemed weary and helpless, like wandering sheep without a shepherd. 37 He turned to his disciples and said, “The harvest is huge and ripe! But there are not enough harvesters to bring it all in. 38 As you go, plead with the Owner of the Harvest to thrust out many more reapers to harvest his grain!” Matthew 9:36-38 (TPT)
Both of these accounts show clearly the concern that Jesus has for the lost. We then, need to see these words in the context of the day, when Jesus spoke, which reveals to us the importance of those words for us today. Jesus wants all people everywhere to hear the Gospel and be saved.
Engage in specific prayer for the lost
Our starting point is to pray for family members who are yet to receive Christ; followed by friends; work colleagues, neighbours and acquaintances, etc. Pray for their salvation and then ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to be a witness of the grace of God in your own life. Discover specific needs they may have and target these in prayer. Engage with boldness, love, compassion and share simply what the Bible says of Jesus coupled with your own authentic testimony of the grace of God.
Truly these are days of harvest, yet so much more needs to be done. Remember what Jesus said,
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Luke 10:2 (NASB)
In the context, the instruction of Jesus was not about sitting at home praying, but in our going He told us to pray for more harvest workers. This is the prayer of harvest labourers and this ought to be our prayer; pray for more labourers.
Prayer for nations
We may not all be able to go the nations, but we can pray for those who do and pray for the nations of earth and their people, to experience an encounter with Jesus Christ. The world is full of religion, but hope eludes them and no one is set free. Salvation only comes through one man; there is no other name given to set people free from sin and death, the name of Jesus.
There is no one else who has the power to save us, for there is only one name to whom God has given authority by which we must experience salvation: the name of Jesus. Acts 4:12 (TP)
In this ‘Decade of Harvest’ we invite you to join with us in praying for nations. Each month we will highlight a different nation and share points of interest, which can help you pray for that nation; its leaders, the church and the missionaries serving there.
The needs in every nation are huge, developed or under-developed nations, people are suffering all over the world, for one reason or another. There is only one true answer, the Good News of the Kingdom God — Jesus Christ.
For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NASB)
We encourage you for this first month to pray for your own nation. Jesus told the disciples that when they were empowered by the Holy Spirit to be His messengers in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, the distant provinces —even to the remotest places on earth! (Acts 1:8)
The world is preaching doom and gloom, despair and hopelessness. Let us lift our eyes to heaven, see and hear what heaven is saying and press in with bold prayers and bold proclamations in Jesus name!
Rise up in splendor and be radiant, for your light has dawned, and Yahweh’s glory now streams from you! Look carefully! Darkness blankets the earth, and thick gloom covers the nations, but Yahweh arises upon you and the brightness of his glory appears over you! Isaiah 60:1-2 (TPT)
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