21 Days of Prayer - Day 17: Ask help of the One who said, “I will make you fishers of men.”
Helpful Links & Resources
Opening Prayer
God's Cause (from The Valley of Vision prayer book)
Matthew 4:18-22
While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Notice
We previously prayed about the command of King Jesus, “Follow me” (Day 2). Here in Matthew’s Gospel that command has a promise attached, “I will make you fishers of men.” To these experienced fishermen, Jesus was laying down a purpose-filled kingdom challenge: “Set your sights on fishing for people.” Their response was immediate, and it was life-altering. How fascinating that Jesus would choose a group of fishermen to join him. How appropriate. Jesus embraces their way of life but kicks it up a few notches — “Let’s find people to become part of my kingdom family.” And that’s just what happened, as the Book of Acts testifies.
Think about it
Does your life have such a purpose? Are you people fishing? Are you a witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, telling others of his life-changing power? God can and will use you to declare his good news to people in your sphere of influence, if you are faithful, available and teachable. Ponder this: You might be the first genuine, Christ-loving, Spirit-filled believer the barista has ever met. Your neighbor has seen that your life is different. Have you told him or her that following Jesus is the reason? That your ready smile is because your sins are forgiven, your hope has been set on fire and you have the love of Jesus in your heart? Do you pray for the salvation of those in your sphere of influence?
Before you pray, make a list of five people in your sphere of life who need Jesus. Let’s call it your “fishing list five,” OK?
A prayer asking for God’s help in “fishing” for people who need to know him
“What a privilege, Father, to tell others what Jesus Christ has done for me. I want to be ‘on mission’ with the King’s Agenda to grow your kingdom family, life-by-life, household-by-household. Today I ask you to take out these five hearts of stone and replace them with new hearts of flesh that beat for you (pray for each person on your “fishing list five”). Open windows of opportunity for me to share the gospel today, Father. Help me to be led by your Holy Spirit. And thank you for saving me. Thank you for giving me the great gift of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, my Savior/King, amen.”
Pray the Psalms
Psalm 63: My Soul Thirsts for You
Group Prayer
Pray for an empathetic heart to love like Jesus
Pray for a courageous heart to point people to Jesus
Prayer for those about to be Baptized or to renew their Baptismal Covenant
(from The Book of Common Prayer)
O God, you prepared your disciples for the coming of the Spirit through the teaching of your Son Jesus Christ: Make the hearts and minds of your servants ready to receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit, that they may be filled with the strength of his presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
To read more of God’s word
Ezekiel 36:22-38, Acts 26, Romans 10:1-17
