Reflection and Prayer
When returning from serving on mission, processing and praying through the experiences and work of the Lord on the trip is so necessary. There is a need to be honest before the Lord and reflect on how He was present on the mission trip. Luke 10 is a passage where it not only shows Jesus sending His followers on mission, but it also shows their return and their thoughts surrounding it. There is a clear vocalization from Jesus regarding the sending and returning, and these verses can help shape how to begin to reflect and pray.
Before reading the verses focused on the return, it’s important to see the task and mission Jesus called them to:
Luke 10:1-12
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
Think through the task the Lord called you to this summer. What was the “harvest field” you went to? What was the ministry? What did the day to day look like? Take some time to think through this and pray- pray for the ministry you did day to day and for fruit to continue to come from it! Pray for the work to continue to flourish. Pray for the laborers who continue to serve there.
While this is the foundation of the work Jesus sent them out on, let’s look at the return of those who were sent and have it shape how we reflect and pray.
Luke 10:17-20
17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
The seventy two returned “with joy”. Returning from serving on mission comes with emotions. Maybe joy. But also maybe sadness. Or discouragement. Or confusion. The Lord gave humans emotions, and this can point to specific ways for us to pray. What are the emotions and thoughts you have connected to returning from serving on mission? Think through this and put it before the Lord in prayer. Pray through these emotions that are on the front of your mind.
The seventy-two shared “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name”, this was the followers verbally sharing what happened when they went out, and how they saw the Lord at work. They went out, saw the ministry the Lord was doing, and upon returning vocalized it and shared the wonder they had. Think through the ministry you were able to be apart of this summer and thank the Lord for what He did, and what you were able to witness. If there were ways you were able to see the Lord answer prayer and use you in the ministry, take this time to thank the Lord for these things. Ask the Lord to continue to provide wonder and amazement for what He did while you were on mission, no matter how big or small.
After they said this, Jesus responded and said “I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” Jesus’s response to the wonders the seventy-two got to witness was one of showing His authority. He reminded them that the power they saw was not their own power, but was the Lord’s power through them. The Lord ultimately gave His followers authority to do and see great things. Not only this, but Jesus extended protection, sharing that nothing would harm them. Thank and praise the Lord for His authority and might in ministry. Spend time thanking and praising the Lord for how you saw His authority and power in big or small ways while living on mission. Thank the Lord for His provision and protection while serving.
This passage ends by Jesus saying “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” On their return from ministry, Jesus vocalized the importance of not only knowing the authority He gave them, but also knowing their identity. While the Lord did amazing things through them, He knew they needed to know the place of celebration was truly just them being in relationship with Him. He challenged them to rejoice in the promise of His presence with them, in the present and in the future. The identity of the seventy-two was children of God and who were obedient, went out, and served. This is the truth that we now get to hold on to, that our identity is founded in Him, and we get to rejoice in His presence with us everywhere and all the time. While serving on mission the Lord was present, and while back in Austin the Lord is present. Spend this time praising and rejoicing the truth of our identity as children of God, and the truth of His presence with us, no matter where we are or where we serve. Ask the Lord to help you see how He was present with you while serving on mission, and pray the Lord will open your eyes to see his presence and faithfulness while back in Austin.
Above all, let the Spirit lead how to pray- if there are any other things you feel like you need to put before the Lord through prayer, take the time to do so. There might be other things that come to mind that need prayer. What is the Lord saying to you after spending time this summer serving on mission? Close this time listening and praying through these things.