Matthew 9:38 - Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest.”

Generated Verse: Matthew 9:38

What does "Matthew 9:38" mean?


The verse Matthew 9:38, "Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest," is a call to prayer recognizing the need for more people to spread the Gospel and help others come to faith in Jesus Christ. Let's break it down:

"Pray therefore...": This means because of what Jesus had just observed and felt, they should pray. The preceding verses (Matthew 9:36-37) describe Jesus seeing the crowds and feeling compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He then acknowledges the "harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few."

"...that the Lord of the harvest...": This refers to God. He is the owner and overseer of the "harvest," which represents the people who are ready to believe in Jesus and enter into a relationship with Him. God is the one who has the power to call and send people to work in His field.

"...will send out laborers...": This is the core of the prayer. "Laborers" are those who are actively involved in sharing the Gospel, making disciples, and ministering to the needs of others. "Send out" suggests a divine appointment or calling to this work. These are the people needed to help bring in the harvest.

"...into his harvest.": This reinforces the idea that there are many people ready to hear the Gospel and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This "harvest" belongs to God and it is His purpose to gather it.

In essence, the verse means:

1. Acknowledge the Need: Recognize that there is a vast number of people who need to hear the Gospel and be brought into God's kingdom.
2. Recognize God's Sovereignty: Understand that God is in control of the harvest and the one who calls and equips people for the work.
3. Pray for Workers: Ask God to raise up, call, and send people to share the Gospel effectively, minister to the lost, and help them find their way to Him.

Implications and Applications:

Personal Responsibility: While it's a call to pray, it also implies a personal responsibility. We should consider whether God might be calling us to be one of those laborers.
Supporting Missionaries and Ministers: It encourages us to support those who are already working in the harvest field through prayer, encouragement, and financial support.
Being Open to God's Leading: It prompts us to be open to how God might want to use us in His harvest, even if it's in small ways.
Sharing the Gospel: It should inspire us to share the gospel with those around us.

In short, Matthew 9:38 is a powerful verse that challenges us to pray for more workers to be sent into God's harvest field, while also prompting us to consider our own role in sharing the Gospel and making disciples.