Day Six| January 18th

Scripture Readings

Missions: The Key to Global Revival

In Luke 10:2, Jesus says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” The world is ripe for revival, but the work of revival requires laborers—those willing to go, to serve, and to share the gospel.

In John 17:18, Jesus declares, “Just as You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world.” And in John 15:16, He reminds us, “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain…” These verses show that missions—going into the world with the message of Christ—is not just a call for a few, but for every believer. We are all appointed to be part of God's mission in the world.

But, what does this mean? What does it mean to be missional, and how does it involve us? 

At its core, missions is about sending. It's about being obedient to the call to go—to carry the gospel to every corner of the earth, from our neighborhoods to the nations. Missions is not just an activity but a way of life, where we live as those sent by Jesus to make disciples, to share His love, and to see lives transformed.

Paul, one of the earliest missionaries, set an example for us in how to pray for and support missions. In his letters, we see key areas where prayer and action are essential for the spreading of the gospel:

1. **Pray for the Harvest:** The harvest is ready (2 Cor 4:15), but the laborers are few. Our prayers should focus on asking God to send more workers into the field.

2. **Pray for Endurance:** Missionaries face hardships, but Paul encourages us to pray for perseverance and endurance, that they would not grow weary in well-doing (2 Cor 4:16).

3. **Pray for Boldness:** Paul asked for boldness in proclaiming the gospel, even in the face of persecution (Eph 6:19-20).

4. **Pray for Protection:** Missionaries often face dangers in the world. We should pray for their safety, particularly in hostile areas (Romans 15:31).

5. **Pray for Effective Ministry:** Paul prayed for the effectiveness of the work being done, that partnerships in the faith would bear lasting fruit (Philemon 6, 2 Thess 3:2-5).

Missions is not just about sending others. It is about recognizing that ‘we’ are the laborers. 'We’ are called to go, to reach out to those who don’t know Christ, and to be ambassadors for His kingdom wherever we are. Whether through supporting missionaries, going on short-term trips, or being intentional in our own communities, missions is the action step to bringing revival, both locally and globally.

Jesus Himself has appointed us, His church, to go and bear fruit. The harvest is already prepared. What is needed now are the laborers—those who are willing to step out in faith, to go and make disciples of all nations. Our role in missions is to pray for more workers, to give, and to go. We are sent, just as Jesus was sent, to bring the message of His love to the ends of the earth.

As we pray for revival, let’s remember that it’s not just about asking God to move in our hearts—it’s about asking Him to send us to the lost. Revival begins with ‘us’ being willing to be the laborers who step into the harvest field. Together, let’s commit to this mission and see the world transformed by the power of the gospel.

watch The Chosen

To further your study, today we have a corresponding episode from The Chosen TV series.

Reflecting on the Word

  • What moves you as you read Jesus’ prayer in John 17? 
  • In verse 20, who exactly is Jesus praying for?  
  • In 2 Corinthians 4, what is Paul’s attitude toward the hardships?

responding on the Word

Let us be mindful that we have all been called to be missional, to live as one who has been sent. 

  • How would we pray or respond if we considered the hardships of those being sent into remote areas among cultures not familiar to them?
  • Let us remember Jesus’ request to pray for more laborers into the harvest.  
  • Let us be bold in asking God if he would want us to go somewhere to share, and to serve.

Prayer

Father, thank you for sending Jesus on his mission to reveal your Father’s heart of love into our souls.  We stand in agreement with his prayer for sending more laborers into the harvest field.  We honor those who have been called to live as missionaries full time and pray for boldness, safety and endurance. May we recognize our need for boldness as there is a mission field across the street, as well as into far reaching parts of the world.  Let my answer be, “send me.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.