What if you prayed, “Lord, send me”? What if He actually sent you? Have you ever wondered what that might look like? Where might you go? Who might you reach? How might that all come together?
Do you trust God enough to pray that prayer? Will you pray it?
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Matthew 9:37-38
It’s easy to pray for our missionaries. We may not pray for them enough, but the task is easy. It’s easy to send money too. They definitely need us to do both. Many of them face danger every day.
It’s another thing to get out and go into the field – especially if it involves leaving the comfort of familiar surroundings.
And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
1 Chronicles 4:9-10
Jabez wanted God to bless him and enlarge his coast. He wanted God’s hand or power with him as he went. Will you put that much trust in God? Will you ask God to send you, but leave the where and how up to God? Are you afraid of where you may be sent, how long you may be there, and how much you may have to give up?
For me, the scariest thing about that prayer, the first time I prayed it, was the answer that I might get. I didn’t particularly want to go to a third world country. However, I also knew that if God wanted us to go there, He would have to place that on the heart of my husband as well.
The first time that I earnestly and daily prayed, “Lord, send me,” He did just that. Although I was referring to the Drew’s Animals website, He had a different plan. We lived in 2 states for over a year, and God rained blessing after blessing upon us. I could clearly see His hand at work – even in the little things.
From time to time, I still pray, “Lord, send me.” He still sends me by opening doors of opportunity for His Word to go out.
God does not always answer, “Lord, send me,” with a trip to a third world country. He may give you a missions field much closer to home. You may be standing in a missions field at work each day. That may be exactly where God wants to use you.
LIFE APPLICATION
Today’s challenge is to be brave enough to pray, “Lord, send me.” It’s not an easy thing to pray by any means – at least not the first time around. What you will discover is the blessing that comes with the answer to that prayer. The blessing will come as you go, and you won’t want to miss it!