The Key to Service

“The Key to Service”

Matthew 9:38

Tenth in a Series on Prayer—Oswald Chambers

            Jesus considered prayer work not preparation for work. But somehow we consider prayer an option before putting our words into action. We are called to do greater works which involves praying. But ‘there is a real danger of worshiping prayer instead of praying because we worship.” It is easy to do if we lose sight of our Lord and put the emphasis not on His command but on the thing that He commands.

What happens when we pray for others? The Spirit of God works in the unconscious domain of their being that we know nothing about and the one we are praying for knows nothing about. But after time, the conscious life of the one prayed for begins to show sings of unrest and disquiet. An example of this is praying for someone to come to know Jesus. Only when this person comes to speak to you about Him, will you know the answer to prayer.

We are called to pray in order to produce fruit—and pray always. We are to pray and go do the work of the Lord. Because “all authority has been given to Christ and on earth we need to go. And to go into the harvest field knowing that Jesus is with us.

            The field of service that has no snares is the field of intercession that is praying for others. This is the key to all our work for God- pray and the prayer we share is what we do.

            Why is prayer so important? Jesus told us that prayer is grounded on His redemption and is the greatest gift He puts into our hands. It is also important because of the personal presence of the Holy Spirit today.  We receive our knowledge of the Spirit through Jesus. The Holy Spirit is here with us and it is through prayer that we grow in our understanding of who Jesus is and what we are called to do. Prayer is work for us but it is also simple to do. Yet it is simple only because it cost Him so much to make it possible.

PRAYER:

Loving God give us wisdom this day to worship and work and be well-pleasing to you. Reveal yourself to me as I come into your presence and seek you. Call me to pray and be the prayer others see. Amen.

Quotes from  Oswald Chambers “If You Will Ask: ch 11 The Key to Service

BLOG QUESTION:

“Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest.” When we read Jesus’ statement, we often focus on the sending but Jesus asks us to pray first. How often do you  pray before attempting a particular task or even meeting where discussion might be difficult? What is Jesus teaching us to do? To pray first then go. To put before the situation and ask for His response so that we may learn from Him.

Reflect on a time when you did pray first and then acted second. What occurred in the situation and for you personally?