Apostolic Intercession & the Birthing of Souls

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:35-38)

In this passage, Jesus was healing the sick and preaching the gospel to the people, but he looked out and saw they were like sheep without shepherds. He was moved with compassion for the people. He then spoke to his disciples and said that there was so much harvest, but not enough laborers. The following conclusion that he made was remarkable.

Did Jesus say, “Therefore, everybody get busy and do something”? Or did He say, “Start more programs and building projects”? Or what if he had said, “Go and be laborers”? However, Jesus did not make any of those statements.

When you really think about it, what Jesus said was remarkable. He said, “Therefore, PRAY the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers.” Jesus gave us the key to the release of laborers for the harvest field—prayer.

I find it remarkable that a man named Rees Howells lived a life of intercession, crying out for revival and that “every creature would be saved.” Norman Grubb wrote about his life in the book called, Rees Howells Intercessor. Rees Howells was an intercessor who saw many victories through the power of power, but never saw the major breakthrough he was crying out for. He spent most of his life praying for revival in Africa and that Africa would be saved. Although Rees went to Africa for a brief period of time and saw moves of the Spirit break-out with repentance and salvation, he never saw the mass number of souls that he was crying out for.

However, Rees Howells founded a ministry-school in Swansea, Wales. Around 50 years ago, that ministry school was attended by a young man no one knew named Reinhard Bonnke. Much to the surprise of those around him, Reinhard Bonnke grew up to be one of the most powerful evangelists the world has ever seen. He has led nearly 100 million people to the Lord in his life time.

Guess where Reinhard Bonnke has spent the most time preaching and where he has seen millions and millions of converts? Africa. Reinhard Bonnke has spent his entire life preaching on that continent so that “From Capetown to Cairo, All Africa shall be saved!” You can read more about Reinhard Bonnke’s life and ministry in his autobiography titled, Living a Life of Fire.

The role of intercession cannot be separated from the birthing of souls and the release of the harvest. God can use intercessors to birth souls through others like He used Rees Howells to influence the life and ministry of Reinhard Bonnke.

However, I believe that God wants not only intercessors who birth souls through the life of someone else, but intercessors who pray and in turn, they become the answer to their own prayers. Those who pray for laborers to be released, then become the laborers they are crying out for. He wants intercessors who become the messengers they have been praying for during years of intercession, tears, fasting and prayer.

God is raising up apostolic messengers who are formed in the place of prayer and fasting to be the answer to their own prayers.

Lord of the harvest, send out laborers into your harvest field!