God's Kingdom Has Come Near

Acts of Worship
Learning to Pray

A Model for Prayer

Luke 10:1-12  The Message

Lambs in a Wolf Pack

10 ^1-2 Later the Master selected seventy and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go. He gave them this charge:

“What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands.
³ “On your way! But be careful—this is hazardous work. You’re like lambs in a wolf pack.
⁴ “Travel light. Comb and toothbrush and no extra luggage.
“Don’t loiter and make small talk with everyone you meet along the way.
^5-6 “When you enter a home, greet the family, ‘Peace.’ If your greeting is received, then it’s a good place to stay. But if it’s not received, take it back and get out. Don’t impose yourself.
⁷ “Stay at one home, taking your meals there, for a worker deserves three square meals. Don’t move from house to house, looking for the best cook in town.
^8-9 “When you enter a town and are received, eat what they set before you, heal anyone who is sick, and tell them, ‘God’s kingdom is right on your doorstep!’
^10-12 “When you enter a town and are not received, go out in the street and say, ‘The only thing we got from you is the dirt on our feet, and we’re giving it back. Did you have any idea that God’s kingdom was right on your doorstep?’ Sodom will have it better on Judgment Day than the town that rejects you.

 
For Reflection
How does one campaign for the Kingdom of God?  Just as in Luke's day, not all people will respond well to the gospel.  Those that have been seduced by the promise of self-determination and are mired in the quicksand of common practice will see weakness where there is strength and folly where there is wisdom.
Some are so hogtied by fear that they are incapable of escaping the bonds of the material world.  Little is to be gained by the lamb batting heads with the wolf.

The faithful must begin with prayer.  Prayer engages the intimate relationship one has with God and confirms one's identity, purpose and mission as a healer, not a warrior. The faithful must act with integrity, forthright and consistent in faith, promise and act.  The kingdom of God is populated by those who are in need of spiritual restoration.  Harvest those who's time has come and whose blooms have turned to seed.

Pray

that you will be an authentic God whisperer.  Pray that you, by your action, will be recognized as a healer.  Pray that you will be a guide into the Kingdom of God for those who seek to be fulfilled.