Never underestimate the importance of our prayers in reaching those far from God!
The Power of Prayer in Sharing the Gospel
Jesus’s instructions to ask God for help before they took one step on their journey show the strategic role prayer plays in sharing the Christian faith. That day Jesus sent His followers without money or a travel bag or even an extra pair of sandals (see luke 10:4), but He made certain they were praying. They were “lambs among wolves”—inexperienced, vulnerable, and in need of all the help they could get. Yet, as Jesus sent them, He didn’t equip them with materials or methods for reaching others. He only told them to pray.
It makes sense if you think about it. Jesus is sending His followers to share the news that the Kingdom of God is coming, a kingdom inhabited by people who have a new relationship with God (see jeremiah 31:33–34). This was the kind of relationship with the Father that Jesus demonstrated throughout His life. Here He is encouraging His followers to actively live in that relationship as they go out to tell others about it.
Jesus declared His dependence on God in everything He did. He told His disciples, “By myself I can do nothing” (john 5:30). Then He demonstrated that dependence in a practical way by keeping the lines of communication constantly open through prayer, confident that the Father “always” heard Him (john 11:42). The New Testament makes clear that “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission” (hebrews 5:7). Jesus prayed continually, submitting His life to the Father moment by moment and drawing every strength from Him.
When Peter told the crowd on the day of Pentecost to “repent and be baptized,” he added, “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call” (acts 2:38–39). Jesus is calling, calling lost souls out of darkness and into His everlasting love and light.
He is also calling us to follow Him into a world which desperately needs the salvation only He can give. Pray and go! The “Lord of the harvest” (luke 10:2) is waiting. He has promised, “We will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (galatians 6:9).