PRAYER AND SELF-DENIAL APPEAL

‘til the nets are full

Every year, Baptist churches across New Zealand unite behind Tranzsend’s (the sending and ministry arm of NZ Baptists reaching the world – The NZ Baptist Missionary Society) “Prayer and Self Denial Appeal. It’s a time when we can reflect on God’s heart for mission and an important occasion where, as a Church family, we can show our support for an incredible team of workers serving in a wide range of communities and contexts around Asia.

The 2015 theme is “Till the Nets are Full“.

Luke 5 tells the story of when Jesus said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

But Simon had been fishing all night and caught nothing, nevertheless, because Jesus said so he did and they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. They signalled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

Simon Peter and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken and were afraid.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything, and followed him.

When we rely on Jesus and let him work through us, we can be sure the “nets will be full”. What can we do this Self Denial to contribute to the work of “fishing for men“?

Alan Frauenstein