The 2013 More than Ever, Make a Difference prayer guide includes prayer requests for Kentucky missions based on Luke 8:4-15. Last week I led chapel at the KBC and we read the verses and the associated prayer requests aloud. I am sharing the verses and prayer requests here as an encouragement to you to read the verses and reflect on the prayer requests. If we really want to see people saved in our state, we must first plant the seeds of prayer.
Luke 8:4-5. While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up.
Just as the farmer went out to sow his seed, we are to go out with the seed of God’s Word. Pray for ministries which intentionally take the gospel out of the church and into the community. Pray for those whose lives are not receptive to the gospel and for ministries which touch lives in such a way as to prepare them to receive the gospel. Pray for ministries with the deaf across Kentucky. Pray that more people will learn sign language and share the good news of Jesus with deaf neighbors.
Luke 8:6. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.
Pray for people whose lives are rocky and difficult. Pray for ministries which demonstrate compassion and share the love of Jesus with people in need. Pray for those whose homes are repaired by Kentucky Changers and for lives to be changed through the work and witness of the students. Pray also for the students who participate in Kentucky Changers, that through this missions experience, they will grow spiritually.
Luke 8:7. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.
Pray for Pit Stop Challenge and ministry at the Kentucky Speedway. Pray for families who are drawn to the Pit Stop Challenge to be receptive to the gospel. Pray that activities of the race weekend, personal problems, or other distractions will not choke out the witness of Pit Stop Challenge volunteers. Pray for the distribution of Bibles and other Christian literature at the Speedway and other venues.
Luke 8:8. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Give thanks for the good soil of receptive hearts among international students who participate in Engage, a special outreach event of Baptist Campus Ministry for internationals. Pray for those who will attend Engage this coming November to understand the gospel and receive it with joy. Pray that the seeds planted will yield a hundredfold crop all over the world as students who accept Christ bear witness in their home countries.
Luke 8:9-10. His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said,“The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’
Pray for those who have no understanding of the gospel message. Pray that their minds and hearts would be opened. Pray for those who are bullies and treat others in an abusive manner. Pray for churches, schools, and families who are addressing this problem in our communities. Pray for those who are the victims of bullying. Pray for more Christian students to befriend other students and not be a part of the problem.
Luke 8:11-12. This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
Pray for ministries which plant the seed of the Word of God through equestrian ministries. Pray for children and youth who are being reached through High Equine Mountain Outreach and other equestrian ministries in Kentucky. Pray for Cowboy churches and for efforts to reach the lost through worship services in equestrian friendly settings. Pray for those who share The Simple Plan of the Master Horseman and for the protection of the seed planted through this gospel tract.
Luke 8:13-14. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.
Pray for new churches being planted across Kentucky. Pray that church planters will have wisdom and help in preparing the “soil” of those who are lost in their communities. Pray for those who receive the Word and that it will not be choked out by life’s worries, riches, or pleasures. Pray for new churches to grow and plant other churches.
Luke 8:15. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
Pray for Kentucky missionaries, Baptist associations and Directors of Missions. Pray for the impact of the Eliza Broadus Offering on missions in your association. Pray for the ministries of the KBC Evangelism & Church Planting Team, Missions Mobilization Team, and the Church Consulting & Revitalization Team. Pray for affinity evangelism efforts across our state, that this would be good soil for sharing the gospel.
Learn more about Kentucky missions at www.kywmu.org/ebo.
