32 Behold, a mute man who was demon possessed was brought to Jesus. 33 When the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. The multitudes marveled, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”

34 But the Pharisees said, “By the prince of the demons, he casts out demons.”

35 Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed‡ and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest.”

Matthew 9:32-38 - World English Bible

In this narrative, Jesus healed a mute demonic, someone who could not speak and who acted in socially inappropriate and destructive ways. Afterwards, the man spoke, the people praised God and the Pharisees reacted by blaming Satanic power for the act of kindness. Why did the enemies of Jesus say such things? Jealousy was one answer; the Lord had healing powers, a charismatic personality and a message about a hopeful future that the Pharisees did not possess. Another answer was found in past studies; Jesus was willing to break social taboos and the status of kosher to serve the needy; this approach was antithetical to the religious norms at the time in the Jewish community and, so, created controversy. In the end, he continued his mobile ministry, bringing God's word and power to people throughout the area.

But this was not enough. The Lord needed helpers, other missionaries to do as he did. So, he encouraged his followers to pray for others to carry the Good News to strangers, for missionaries to be like farm hands harvesting a bountiful crop. To employ another image Jesus used, the sheep were scattered and needed shepherds to lead them back to God.

Have you prayed for missionaries? Have you prayed in your own efforts to evangelize?