THE PROMISE

The Christian that views the world situation would tend to say the job of world evangelism is hopeless, yet we know from the Word of God that it is not hopeless but that it is HARVEST TIME!

Luke mentions in chapter ten verse two, "Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; pray ye, therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest."

There seems in that verse to be not only a promise, but like many promises of the Word there is also an equation or set of criteria to be met before the promise can be fulfilled.

THE PROBLEM

Before we look at the equation let us consider the problem facing the Church in the area of world evangelism.

Today we have around 2 1/2 billion people that need to hear the Gospel and only about 50,000 missionaries (If the higher estimates are correct) to do the job.

We have many if not a majority of our missionary force nearing retirement age.

We have people ready, willing and able to go to the field that are finding that deputation means several years due to the economic condition of the churches.

We have, according to statistics, several thousand LOST people dying every hour and going to an eternity in the Lake of Fire.

We have a movement growing that would take foreign mission funds for home mission organizations. All would agree that raising funds for home missions is the hardest job there is, however the key is not to take foreign funds for home but to raise more funds!

We have fewer and fewer pastors that are vitally interested in promoting missions today.

The problem is evident on many fronts if we but look.

God mentions via Luke that if we follow the equation, the laborers will be dispatched, or at least that is the implication - if we ask then we would assume that laborers would be sent forth.

Let us consider the equation mentioned. Harvest - Laborers - Lord of the Harvest - Prayer.

We all know that the harvest is truly great and we all know that the Lord of the harvest is God.

Most readily concede that we have the laborers ready, willing, trained and waiting to go but they are waiting on finances.

It is not to be suggested that finances have anything to do with the equation for God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and can supply finances anytime that the equation is complete.

If the harvest is present and the Lord of the harvest is ready to send and we have laborers waiting then we have only one part to the equation that can possibly be holding up the harvest.

PRAYER

A not so recent survey of "Evangelical Pastors" revealed that the average pastor in America prays around five minutes per day. If this be true then we can imagine how little the average Christian is praying per day.

Indeed we have only to compare Sunday morning service attendance to the prayer service attendance to see that PRAYER is not a priority in the Church today.

Paul in Romans asked the believers to "strive" with him in prayer, and he mentions of Epaphras that he was a man that was "laboring fervently" in prayer. (Rom. 15:30; Col. 4:13)

This term that is used in these passages comes from a term that has the idea of "AGONY".

Not to waste too much time wondering how many believers today agonize in prayer for the world. Some, yes to be sure but multitudes more would add the PRAYER to our equation!

This is the negative but there is a real positive that needs to be seen!

THE POSSIBILITIES

If the church were to begin to pray as it ought, might we not see some startling changes coming about.

Prayer will produce Co-workers. Indeed in our passage it was those praying that were sent forth. As people become involved in praying for the lost world they will become burdened and some will indeed go.

Prayer will produce commitment. Those praying will become more and more committed as they seek the Lord and the Lord in turn will move the laborers toward the commitment that they need.

Prayer will produce contributions. The economic phase now arrives on the scene. God seems to provide funds through individuals that He moves to give. Might we suspect that part of the lack of finances today is due to believers that are not following the Lord's moving?

Prayer will produce cooperation. The local churches will begin to evaluate their young people and begin to direct some into Christian ministries. This will help the mission boards to recruit laborers!

Prayer may well be the answer that many missionaries, pastors, churches and mission boards have been seeking.

Not to say that agonizing in prayer will be easy! It takes time and concern, both of which are in short supply in our busy world.

Might believers the world over claim the PROMISE over the PROBLEM via PRAYER and watch the POSSIBILITIES increase to the honor and glory of the their Lord!