Practical Steps to Raise Leaders: Pray for Labourers

26TH JULY 2026

Christ for Youth International

“He said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.’” [Matthew 9:37 — 38 (NLT)]

Cast your eyes across the spheres that shape society- government, education, business, media, family and entertainment- you’ll notice a growing absence of Kingdom values. Bring the focus closer to home, into our workplaces, schools and communities, and the same reality often exists. You don’t have to sit in these rooms to recognise it; the effects are evident in the policies that are introduced.

For many years, Christians have often viewed certain spheres of society as off-limits. Politics is considered too dirty. Entertainment is dismissed as the devil’s playground and business is seen as worldly. In retreating from these spaces, it is no surprise that they are being shaped by values that do not reflect God’s Kingdom. Whether in education, business, healthcare or politics, the need for men and women who carry God’s wisdom and truth has never been greater.

Before Jesus instructed His disciples to pray, He first looked. Compassion preceded the command. He saw people who were lost, weary and in need of a Shepherd and from that compassion came an instruction: “Pray for labourers.”

Notice that Jesus didn’t tell His disciples to go and recruit labourers. He told them to pray to the Lord of the harvest. The harvest belongs to God, and so do the workers. Raising Kingdom leaders is ultimately God’s work, which is why prayer is not a passive response but a practical one. Every prayer acknowledges our dependence on the One who calls, prepares and sends His people.

When we think of labourers, our minds often jump straight to pastors or missionaries. But God’s harvest extends far beyond the four walls of the church.

The business owner who leads with integrity and pays employees fairly is a labourer. The teacher who models truth is a labourer. The healthcare professional who serves people with dignity is a labourer. The civil servant who refuses corruption is a labourer. The parent discipling their children is a labourer. Whatever field God has placed you in is part of His harvest, and you are called to labour there.

As we pray, our prayer must be twofold. 1. Pray that God would continue to raise men and women for every sphere of society and 2. Pray that those He is preparing would recognise His voice and have the courage to respond to His calling.

Many of God’s future labourers are in a season of preparation today. Pray that they would not grow weary, become distracted or ignore His call, but that when the time comes, they would faithfully step into the assignment God has prepared for them.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain” (Psalm 127:1).

If Jesus Himself instructed us to pray for labourers, then we can be confident that our prayers are one of the practical ways God raises leaders for His harvest.

Prayer: Dear Lord, although the world seems to be growing more helpless and confused, we thank You for giving us the privilege of being part of the answer and the ability to bring hope. For those who are already labouring, we pray for grace and strength. For those You are preparing, we pray for clarity and courage. And for those standing on the sidelines, unsure whether to step into the work You have called them to, we pray that they would be moved with compassion and that their desires would align with Yours. Raise labourers for Your harvest and use us wherever You have placed us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Further Reading: Psalm 127:1, James 5:16

Bible in One Year: Jeremiah 8- Jeremiah 11

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