Lyrics
Verse
I'm looking at the world and here's my view
The harvest is so white
But the laborers are few
Holy Spirit, move in our hearts
Help us to love
The way that Jesus taught us to
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
"Opening Prayer" condenses its entire content into a single short verse, opening with an honest assessment of need before turning that observation into direct petition. Its first lines borrow language describing an abundant harvest paired with a shortage of workers, applying that agricultural image to the scale of spiritual need visible in the world.
Rather than dwelling on that need, the song moves quickly to request the Holy Spirit's involvement, asking specifically for help extending love in the manner Jesus modeled and taught. That brief structure, observation followed immediately by petition, gives the song the character of an actual spoken prayer rather than an extended reflection.
Its brevity suits its stated purpose as an opening prayer, likely intended to precede a longer worship set or gathering rather than stand alone as a developed composition. Rooted in contemporary worship's use of short, direct prayers set to music, the song functions as an invocation, asking for empowered love as the specific response to a world described as ready for harvest.
Related Scripture
- Matthew 9:37-38 Describes the harvest as plentiful but the laborers as few, the passage directly quoted in the song's opening lines.
- John 13:34 Records Christ's command to love one another as he loved, echoed in the song's request to love the way Jesus taught.