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Day Three: Enlarging Our Hearts
Teachings relative to sharing your faith can help in several ways. Often, these classes encourage people to ask the Lord to increase their compassion for the lost. This type of prayer can certainly impact our hearts. Praying “sending prayers” can also enlarge our hearts for those without Jesus.
Yesterday’s reading focused on the compassion of Christ. A compassion that led to his prayer request. It (day two) also mentioned, that as we pray for Christ to send workers, we’re connecting with the Lord’s heart. By doing so, might this be one of the ways the Lord increases our love and compassion for the lost? This increased compassion may not always manifest itself in a “feeling,” but will likely result in greater awareness and concern for people needing Jesus. Along with that, there’s another reason that praying for workers can enlarge our hearts.
While this devotional plan is titled “The Prayer Request of Christ,” it’s important to recognize that this prayer, in essence, is a command. Using the term request is not designed to minimize that truth. Instead, it's intended to convey the spirit, desire and emotion underlying the prayer. With respect to that, by praying “sending prayers,” we’re keeping (obeying) one of Christ’s commands. In doing so, we remain in his love and have his joy within us, making our joy complete (John 15:9-11). Two promises that can impact our hearts.
Our love for the Lord is what leads to obedience (John 14:15, 21). A love placed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5), because Christ loved us first (1 John 4:9-10). When we respond to what the Spirit has placed in our hearts and pray for workers, this is one of several ways we can indicate our love for the Lord and his interests. Consequently, our hearts for those without Christ will likely enlarge, as will our desire to be His witnesses.
Lord, I ask that you send workers into your harvest. And through the power of your Holy Spirit, enlarge my heart with your compassion for the lost.
John 14:15-23
John 15:9-17.
Romans 5:5
1 John 4:9-10
About this Plan
When Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few, he also provided the initial step for solving this dilemma. “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:37-38, Luke 10:2, NIV). This plan examines how praying “sending prayers,” enables followers of Jesus, to have an impact in advancing the gospel.
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