Things That Don't Get Preached On Might Be The Most Important Of All

“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few, therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” Matthew 9:37-38 There are many passages in the Scriptures that we read and pass over, not taking them to heart. One is on the subject of prayer. Who remembers to “pray the Lord of the harvest” to send more laborers out? Yet Jesus specifically mandated that we do this. It appears that the number of laborers sent out depends on the faithful believers who will do as the Lord said and pray for it. Here is another one: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6 The Scriptures tell us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” This directive even specifies that those who do so will prosper. Yet most never think to pray this. And how about this: “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to ESCAPE all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36 How many obey this charge spoken by Jesus? This directive is in context of the terrible things that he said will come upon the earth in “the last days,” and Jesus specifically says to pray to be kept from those things. He emphasized it by saying to “pray always” this prayer. “Pray always” conveys an importance that most don’t realize. The point of this is to bring to the attention of believers that there are things Jesus said to do which we don’t pay as close attention to as other “favorite” Scriptures. The Lord stressed the importance of prayer, in fact he himself went off to pray daily throughout his ministry. If the Lord had to pray, how much more do WE need to? The church has actually made “sacraments” out of some things Jesus said, while passing over things like this which, if obeyed, could change history. These commands given by Jesus Christ are just as important as other things he said which are highlighted by the institutional churches while they omit the others. Pray for more laborers to be sent into the harvest, because the salvation of souls might depend on it. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, because in effect you’re praying for the coming of the Lord, because he IS the peace of Jerusalem. Pray to be accounted worthy to escape the horrors of the Tribulation, because Jesus specifically told us to pray this. Some say that those who believe in the pre-trib Rapture are “escapists.” Well yes. In this case, Jesus TOLD us to pray to ESCAPE those things. Yes, we ARE escapists, for so has the Lord told us to be. "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36 With all the things that are preached in the churches, prayer is one of the least preached on. When did you last hear a sermon encouraging us to pray? Yet it can be the most important thing one does in life. Prayer can change things, turning the “victories” of Satan into the blessings of God, changing the lostness of the lost into salvation and new life. Many do not pray because they’ve been discouraged by not seeing results immediately, so they lose confidence in prayer. Yes, it requires patience, and sometimes great patience, but the believer must not be discouraged by that. Brothers and sisters, prayer changes things. Do not neglect this most important charge given to us by the Lord himself. "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, IF WE FAINT NOT." Galatians 6:9 “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man AVAILS MUCH.” James 5:16