praying effectively: Go, Make Disciples (Mt.7, 9, 28, Mk.16)

(Mark 16:1-18)  When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. 5 Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’” 8 They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

9 [Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and reported to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it.

12 After that, He appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking along on their way to the country. 13 They went away and reported it to the others, but they did not believe them either.

14 Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

(Matthew 7:21-23)  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

(Matthew 9:37-38)  Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”

(Matthew 28:19-20)  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we believe in Jesus and His work on the cross (Mk.16:16)

- that we are baptized, which is an outward statement of our belief (Mk.16:16)

- that we are obedient to God’s will (Mt.7:21)

- that we beseech God to send out believers to share the gospel (Mt.9:37-38)

- that we make an effort to spread the gospel throughout the nations (Mt.28:19-20, Mk.16:15)

- that wherever we go, we share the gospel and baptize new believers (Mt.28:19-20)

- that we mentor believers, teaching them God’s will (Mt.28:19-20)

Today's prayer:  

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for providing salvation to anyone who believes.  Help Christians realize how important it is to be baptized, and to study Your word, and to be obedient to Your will.  Help us to not only remain steadfast, but to desire sharing the good news with all of those around us – as we go – wherever we go.  Give us opportunities and give us the courage and the words to say. 

And Lord, help believers to be listening to You, and to be willing to “go” and/or “do” when called.  And for those who are called to remain where we are (at least for the moment), guide us all to serve one another, and guide us all to tithe and give extra as gifts in order to facilitate the building of Your kingdom around the world.  Amen.