Prayer for the Laborer
Lisa Cooke

Are you praying for an unsaved loved one, a prodigal, or someone who has lost their way in their Christianity? Have you ever prayed that a laborer would “cross their path,” speaking the needed wisdom into his or her life? I have prayed many times for laborers to have an influence in my loved ones’ lives, based on Matthew 9:38 that the Lord would send out laborers into His harvest. I believe these workers have a God-ordained assignment to minister to the ones God loves and desires to see come fully into their destiny in Him.

Just recently though, I received some insight from the Holy Spirit concerning these laborers, that I should not only pray for their paths to cross with the one I’d been praying for, but that I should pray FOR those laborers personally. I had never done this before in my prayer times. I now see the need for prayer support for these who are on a mission to minister to the lost and the wandering.

Paul, one of the chief laborers in God’s harvest field, asked many times for prayer as he went from city to city ministering the gospel. Look at the following verses in the light of praying FOR the laborers in your loved ones lives.

2 Corinthians 1:11
You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

2 Thessalonians 3:1
Finally dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you.

Colossians 4:2-4
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ…that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

Ephesians 6:18-19
Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel…

We can see that Paul coveted the prayers of his friends so that he would be able to do the will of God. The laborers we are asking God to send into our loved ones’ lives also need our prayers for boldness, wisdom, understanding, knowledge, the right words at the right time, a compassionate heart, sensitivity, Spirit directed steps and open doors.

We are praying for them to receive a supply from God to be able to effectually minister as they are given opportunity. We are in essence praying for skilled labor! We are also praying for the supernatural coordination of divinely orchestrated connections between the worker and the loved one. This is the work of the Holy Spirit and we by prayer can help to facilitate this.

Really, all of us are called to be laborers in many people’s lives and we know ourselves, like Paul, that we need prayer to be successful in that ministry. Because of this, we can pray with empathy for those called to carry God’s word and love to another, particularly to those on our prayer list. We “do not cease to give thanks” for the workers in the field who say yes to God when He asks them to “speak a word in due season” to our loved ones. All of this is for the glory of God, and what a joy to have a part in this glory through prayer!