Jesus appointed seventy others and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every place he intended to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest” (Luke 10.1-2)
Jesus, sending out his apostles to share his message, bid that they pray to God to send messengers. In a word, they, with God’s help, were to be the fulfillments of their prayer.
An olden saying counsels that we be careful what we wish for, lest it comes true.[1] For the consequences of obtaining what we thought we desired may prove more onerous than we imagined.
The same rule applies to prayer. For when I pray, I ask God’s aid to bring to life what already has come to light in my mind and heart. Generally, when I pray rightly, in alignment with what I believe to be God’s will, I seek love and justice, unconditional benevolence and equity for all people, at all times. Nevertheless, as faithful as I strive to be, I am aware that God will call upon me, as a co-collaborator, to fulfill my supplication. Therefore, I have learned to be careful of that for which I pray.
© 2022 PRA
Illustration: Jesus Sends Apostles on Missionary Journey, James Tissot (1836-1902)
#becarefulwhatyouaskforyoumaygetit
[1] Similar wording is found as far back as that compendium of morality tales known as Aesop’s Fables (c. 3rd century BCE).
occasional observations of mind and heart, soul and spirit 