We read Matthew 9 today in the Bible Reading Plan. Look at verses 36-38:
36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest. KJV
When Jesus saw the lost, His first reaction was to be moved with compassion! Compassion differs from sympathy in that compassion will ALWAYS produce action! What is to be our first "action" when we see the lost? We are to CARE enough to pray for laborers! Be ready in case YOU are the laborer that He wants to send this time! If not, then continue to ask for the right ones! The KJV is pretty mild in these verses. Let's look at the Amplified Bible:
37Then He said to His disciples, The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38So pray to the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust laborers into His harvest.
We are to ask the Lord to THRUST them out into the field! That sounds a little violent, but then He DID say this in Matthew 11:12:
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize — a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]. AMP
So let's be "violent" for the things of God! Don't settle for one bit less than God's very best! Here is Hillsong with "Break Free":
Shalom in Him!
