The Big
Picture Gary Hill, Executive Director
The Harvest (Now & Not Yet) Edition Why don’t we pray?
the people’s condition, describing them as being like “sheep without a shepherd”; a phrase often used in Speaking at CRU’s Teachers’ Conference in 2021, Sue the Old Testament for those who had been led astray, Hume, a retired teacher, urged attendees to reflect on chasing after things which would never satisfy. And the importance of their interactions with their students, consider his recognition of the Father’s sovereignty. and to pray for them and for challenges that arise. God is the Lord of the harvest. He is the one who gives “Focus on the greatness of God when you pray,” she growth and who can provide workers. said, “not the size of your problem.” This ‘Harvest’ edition of CRUview recognises that there It’s an important approach. When Peter allowed his are many opportunities to share the good news of eyes to drift from Jesus to the Jesus, despite the restrictions threat of the waves around and limitations that COVID him, he sank (Matt 14:29-31). continues to bring. Before Prayer is a reflection of our the recent lockdowns in God is the Lord of the harvest. He is dependence on the Sovereign Greater Sydney, CRU had the one who gives growth and who God, and a trust that His power already seen record numbers can provide workers. and love is not bound by our attend CRU Camps, with circumstances. even more booked in for the winter season, which was cut Nehemiah demonstrated this. short. We also saw booming He knew God to be great and awesome (Neh 1:4), and attendance in CRU Groups and other Schools Ministry so he engaged in a potentially hazardous conversation events. Sadly, even before tighter COVID restrictions with a king (2:4) and then a clearly hazardous conflict were introduced, we were having to turn away with an unlikely alliance of opponents (4:7-9). In each hundreds of young people as we simply did not have circumstance, he prayed. enough leaders.
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On the other hand, sometimes we don’t pray because we don’t recognise the magnitude of the need. Our perspective is too small. Recognising the urgency of reaching the lost crowd, Jesus tells his followers to pray that God would send workers (Matt 9:36-38).
When lockdowns are lifted and camps can resume, we anticipate that young people will flock back to camps and CRU Groups. So please pray for God to send workers. We may not know the exact time of the harvest season, but God does.
There are many things worth noting from this passage. Consider Jesus’ compassion for the people, which propelled him to travel, teach, proclaim and heal, as well as ordering prayer. Consider Jesus’ reflection on
Pray also that we will have eyes to see the millions more who are as yet unreached. May we be filled with compassion, recognise the need to seek God’s power to provide, and pray and work earnestly to God’s glory. Page One
