37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:37-38 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
As if Christ had said, “There is a great number of people that are willing and prepared to receive instructions, but there are but few who are able to instruct these poor people in the ways of righteousness and truth; therefore pray and plead with God, that he world provide skilful and faithful ministers to be sent out to preach the gospel throughout the world.”
Note here, 1. That God’s church is an harvest-field.
2. That the ministers of God are labourers in his harvest under God, the Lord of the harvest.
3. That to God alone doth it belong to send forth labourers into his harvest; and none must thrust themselves in, till God sends them forth.
4. That the number of faithful labourers in God’s harvest is comparatively small and few.
5. That it is the church’s duty to pray, and that earnestly and incessantly, to the Lord of the harvest to increase the number of faithful labourers, and also to increase their faithfulness.