PRAYERS FOR GATHERING IN THE HARVEST
Introduction.
While walking our earth Jesus told his disciples:"I tell you most solemnly, whoever believes in me will perform the same works as I do myself; he will perform even greater works, because I am going to the Father" (John 14:12)A look through the Acts of the Apostles reveals that the early followers of the risen Christ, weak and human as they were, managed to turn "the whole world upside down" (Acts 17:6). They were able to do this because they allowed the Holy Spirit to work freely and boldly through them. They were immersed in Jesus. In order to be effective in spreading the Kingdom of God, we must seek Jesus daily in prayer, soaking in all that he desires to give us and coming to know his love and power. Only then can we introduce others to him. Following are several evangelization prayers that we encourage everyone to pray especially our "Prayer Partners". They are meant to be used as a supplement to -- not a substitute for -- your own prayer time with our Lord. After you have prayed the written prayers, talk to Jesus in your own words and then listen to him. Allow his Holy Spirit to prepare and empower you. Read and meditate on the Scriptures, too, and then confidently go forth and gather in the harvest for Jesus by sharing your faith in him with those you meet.
Come Holy Spirit.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of your faithful, grant that by that same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer Of The Evangelizer.
Lord Jesus, it seems that in every direction I look, whether in my own home, on the job, or across the nation and the world, I see people who are hurting. I know you have a burning desire to reach out, touch and restore the lives of your people, now imprisoned and crippled as a result of separation from you; and Lord, you need workers, so I offer myself. Empower me through your Holy Spirit -- your promise and gift to your followers and your very presence within my own heart -- to reach out to those broken ones who desperately hunger for love and healing as did the people who followed after you on the sun-baked roads of Israel centuries ago. Especially, Lord, fill me with the gifts of wisdom and discernment as I attempt to gather into your kingdom those whose hearts are cold and bitter, those who do not believe in you at all, those who do not care about you, and those who do not realize how much you love them. Place your words upon my lips. Work through me despite my own wounded condition to heal and restore those burdened by physical or emotional sickness. Cleanse and purify me that I might serve you well. Lord Jesus, I love you. I want to serve you. Fill my heart with the power of the Holy Spirit and let that power spread like fire into my family, my parish, my country and my world. Through my hands continue your mission "to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives" (Luke 4:18), that all may come to know you and live in your kingdom forever. Amen.
Prayer For The Unbelievers.
Lord Jesus, perhaps the greatest obstacle you encountered while walking our earth was the unbelief and skepticism of many of those whom you met. The Gospels reveal that the first condition for entering into your Father's kingdom is to believe in you -- to believe that you indeed are the Messiah sent by the Father to rescue a fallen world. Yet, those same Scriptures tell us that many people refused to believe in you -- some ridiculing you and some of them going so far as to kill you. Jesus, today there are many who either believe you never existed or believe that you were merely an historical figure, perhaps only a good man. There are others, Lord, who have never heard of you. They wander through life as best they can, searching for meaning, or they ignore their consciences. I am sure that you long to penetrate their minds and hearts with the truth of your Gospel message. You want to touch spiritually blind eyes and deaf ears that your invitation to joy might be received and accepted. For you have said, "I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). Lord Jesus, as you were sent by the Father to proclaim the message of life, send me, and send more workers into the harvest, to those unbelievers who need to hear the truth. Prepare their hearts in advance, that the ground there be fertile and ready for the seeds you will plant through us. I pray that through your Holy Spirit, you will water these seeds until they bear fruit abundantly. Amen.
Prayer For More Laborers For The Harvest.
Lord Jesus, the Gospels show clearly how deeply you loved and cared for all the people you encountered while on earth, especially those who did not know why they had been born or where they were going: "But seeing the crowds, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were bewildered and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is great, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into the harvest'" (Matthew 9:36-38). Lord, I see you looking over these crowds of lost people and then turning to me to ask that I be one of those laborers you so vitally need. I respond with a "yes," Lord, and pray that your Spirit will lead many, many others to respond to your call to gather in the harvest. Raise up evangelizers, Lord Jesus, and empower them to carry your light into the darkest corners of the world, renewing it according to the plan of your Father. Through the gifts of your Holy Spirit, equip them to go out and free those mired in their sinfulness and ignorant of your plan of salvation. Amen. © 1981 Sisters of the New Covenant, Inc.Permission is granted for duplication provided author is acknowledged and distribution is made without charge.
Prayer For The Wholly Innocent."A voice is heard in Ramah,lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are not" (Jeremiah 31:15). Lord Jesus, Giver of life, I entrust to your hands all aborted babies who have been robbed of life. I commend to You especially those aborted by the brutal and violent partial-birth procedure. With You, I lament and weep over their helplessness, their pain, and the injustice of this barbaric destruction of life. Jesus answer their cry for help. Heal each baby from the trauma and pain of such a gruesome execution. Aware of what was taking place during their dying, heal their memories of all fear, rejection, pain and loss. Give peace to any restless souls, wholeness to their little severed bodies, joy to their fearful memories, and love to their innocent and sensitive hearts. Take them Lord Jesus into the fullness of Your Kingdom where they can experience Your love and tenderness. Amen. |
 Our Lady of Guadalupe Intercessor of the Unborn |
Permission is granted for duplication provided author is acknowledged and distribution made without charge.
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