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. :1 New International Version

Matthew 9:35-10

When Jesus told His disciples to pray for more labourers for the harvest, He didn’t exclude them from His mission. After asking them to pray, He sent the twelve out to harvest His field.

When it comes to mission, many believers assume their part is just to pray and leave God to call whomever He wants to call. However, a closer reading of Matthew 9 and 10 shows us that we are to pray and hear where God may be inviting each of us to serve and make a difference in the lives of others.

You cannot be a Christian and not obey and follow Christ’s heart for the lost and the outsiders of God’s New Covenant.

Mission is not the task of a preselected few but the collective actions of the church community. As Christians, we are already missionaries because each of us have been set apart and sent by God into the world to live and share God’s love and truth. The only question we are left to consider is how effective a missionary we want to be. However, this doesn't mean we have to quit our day jobs and pack our bags for some foreign destinations. Some may have to do that at times but all of us can fulfil God’s mission as we take God’s good news forward into our different circles of influence.

Bear in mind, God is not looking for your performance, but your participation with Him in His Kingdom work. It is both a privilege and blessing to join God together in the spread of the gospel to every person every day. If you are faithful to proclaim the gospel, God promises to confirm His gospel with signs, wonders and mighty deeds done in the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; Hebrews 2:3-4).

Be effective for God by prayerfully trusting in God to sustain your call.