The key to the missionary problem is in the hand of God, and that key is prayer not work, that is, not work as the word is popularly understood today because that may mean the evasion of concentration on God.

The key to the missionary problem is not the key of common sense, nor the medical key, nor the key of civilization or education or even evangelization.

The key is prayer.

"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest."

Naturally, prayer is not practical, it is absurd; we have to realize that prayer is stupid from the ordinary common-sense point of view.

There are no nations in Jesus Christ's outlook, but the world.

How many of us pray without respect of persons, and with respect to only one Person, Jesus Christ?

He owns the harvest that is produced by distress and conviction of sin, and this is the harvest we have to pray that labourers may be thrust out to reap.

We are taken up with active work while people all round are ripe to harvest, and we do not reap one of them, but waste our Lord's time in over-energized activities.

Suppose the crisis comes in your father's life, in your brother's life, are you there as a labourer to reap the harvest for Jesus Christ?

"Oh, but I have a special work to do!" No Christian has a special work to do.

A Christian is called to be Jesus Christ's own, one who is not above his Master, one who does not dictate to Jesus Christ what he intends to do.

Our Lord calls to no special work: He calls to Himself.

"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest," and He will engineer circumstances and thrust you out.

Dr. John Timothy Stone tells of a visit which he paid to the old church of Robert Murray McCheyne. The aged sexton showed him around. Taking Dr. Stone into the study, he pointed to a chair and said, “Sit there; that is where the master used to sit.” Then he said, “Now put your elbows on the table.” This was done. “Now bow your head upon your hands.” Dr. Stone did so. “Now let the tears flow; that is the way the master used to do.”

The visitor was then taken up into the pulpit, and the old sexton said, “Stand there behind the pulpit.” Dr. Stone obeyed. “Now,” said the sexton, “lean your elbows on the pulpit and put your face in your hands.” This having been done, he said, “Now let the tears flow; that is the way the master used to do.”

Then the old man added a testimony which gripped the heart of his hearer. With tearful eyes and trembling voice he said, “He called down the power of God upon Scotland, and it is with us still.”

Oh, that we had a passion to save others! It was a compact between that holy Indian missionary known as “Praying Hyde” and God—that each day He should have at least four souls.

And Brainerd tells us that one Sunday night he offered himself to be used by God and for Him. “It was raining and the roads were muddy; but this desire grew so strong, that I kneeled down by the side of the road, and told God all about it. While I was praying, I told Him that my hands should work for Him, my tongue speak for Him, if He would only use me as His instrument—when suddenly the darkness of the night lit up, and I knew that God had heard and answered my prayer; and I felt that I was accepted into the inner circle of God’s loved ones.”