Day 15: Multiply and Conquer
Today’s Reading: Matthew 28:1–20
Welcome to Day 15 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting 2023. This is Week 3, The Church Multiplied.
The Focus: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘ALL AUTHORITY in heaven and on earth HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME. THEREFORE GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18–20)
The Meditation: “All authority . . . has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples”.
It Starts at an Empty Tomb
Matthew 28 opens at dawn, with two women at a grave. An angel tells them that Jesus is not there, because He has risen, just as He said (Matthew 28:6). Everything that follows depends on that. We are not sent out by a teacher who died. We are sent by a Lord who is alive.
All Authority
On a mountain in Galilee the eleven disciples meet Him. They worship Him, although some still have doubts (Matthew 28:17). Jesus does not wait until every doubt is settled. He comes close and speaks.
He says that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him (Matthew 28:18). There is no place, no government and no power of darkness outside it. That is where our confidence comes from.
Therefore Go
Because He has all authority, we go. The command at the centre of the sentence is to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). A disciple is more than a convert. A disciple is someone who follows Jesus, is baptised and is taught to obey everything He commanded (Matthew 28:19–20).
This is how the church multiplies. One person helps another to follow Jesus, and that person helps someone else. The words “all nations” are in the name of our church, and this verse keeps that vision in front of us.
Never Alone
The commission ends with a promise. Jesus is with us always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20). He does not send us and stay behind. He goes with us into every conversation.
Pray It Through
Worship the risen Lord. Begin where the disciples began. Tell Jesus that all authority is His.
Ask who. Who is one person you could help to follow Jesus more closely this year?
Pray for the nations. Choose one nation represented in our church family and pray for the gospel to spread there.
Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus, You are risen, and all authority in heaven and on earth is Yours. Forgive me for the times I have kept the good news to myself. Send me to make disciples, beginning with the people closest to me. Bless our church as we reach all nations. Thank You that You are with me always. Amen.
Listen and Watch
Pastor Ras shares a short message for Day 15 in the audio and video below.
Keep going
See every day of this guide on our Prayer & Fasting page.
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