Matt 9: The Harvest Is Plentiful

Scripture
Matthew 9:35–38; 10:1

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

Scripture Reflection
When Jesus looked at the crowds, He didn’t see an inconvenience. He didn’t see a threat. He saw a harvest — ripe, ready, precious to His Father. His heart was moved with compassion, seeing people harassed and helpless, longing for rescue, longing for a shepherd.

This is the heartbeat of revival: a fresh vision of the harvest. In times of awakening, the fields of souls open up in ways we have not dared to dream. People long neglected, ignored, or written off suddenly become responsive to the voice of the Good Shepherd. But Jesus does not call us to be passive spectators of that harvest; He calls us to pray for workers, and then to become workers ourselves. He sends His disciples with authority to heal, deliver, and proclaim the Kingdom — to embody His own compassion in the midst of the crowds.

New England has been sown with centuries of prayer, tears, and gospel labor. What if in our day, God is stirring a new harvest? What if crowds are ready, longing for hope, waiting for someone to bring them to Jesus? Let us see with His eyes, feel with His heart, and move with His mission. The harvest is plentiful. Let’s pray — and then go.

Praying it UP / IN / OUT

UP: Worship Jesus, the Lord of the harvest, who has deep compassion for every person. Thank Him for His heart that sees the crowds and loves them.

IN: Ask God to give you His compassion for the lost and to awaken you as a worker in His harvest field. Pray for fresh courage, authority, and willingness to be sent.

OUT: Intercede for New England — that God would raise up workers for the harvest, and that the gospel would go forth with power and mercy to gather in many who are ready to hear.

Closing Prayer

Lord of the harvest,

We thank You for seeing the crowds with compassion. You are not overwhelmed by the need — You are moved by love. We praise You for Your heart that longs to gather, heal, and save.

Awaken us, Lord. Awaken Your Church to see the harvest with Your eyes. Forgive us for being slow to believe that people are ready. Forgive us for our apathy. Make us willing laborers, sent with Your authority, filled with Your Spirit, carrying Your love.

We pray that in New England, You would send workers into every city, every neighborhood, every campus. Let the feet fitted with the gospel of peace run swiftly. 

Let Your Kingdom come with healing and deliverance. Let hope rise among the harassed and helpless, until they know the voice of their true Shepherd.

The harvest is plentiful, Lord.

Send us.

Amen.