Preparation for missions is two sided, involving both natural and spiritual elements. Both are vital to the success and sustainability of your ministry. (See Part 1 for the practical tips.) If you are getting ready for a missions ministry, pray a lot, stay flexible, and be sure to leave room in your suitcase for a few big bags of Peanut M&Ms. For now, use this list as a spiritual check-off.
- If your prayer life is even a tiny bit unstable or stagnant, now is the time to firm it up. Schedule a fast, pray and study God's word like you've never done before. You will need to be in top spiritual condition. Being on the mission field is far more draining spiritually than being in the comfort and constant support of your home church.
- If you have any unresolved issues with someone, get them dealt with. Bitterness, unforgiveness and disunity all open you up to spiritual attacks that bring you down and hinder your fruitfulness. Who knows how long it will be before you have another chance to make things right with that person? Go ahead, humble yourself and seek to mend the rift.
- Find out what kind of spiritual strongholds are in your destination country. What religion do they practice? What are the biggest social problems? You must be aware of the enemy's devices in that area so you can effectively cover yourself in prayer each day. Remember, as Ephesians 6:10-18 teaches, you don't fight against flesh and blood but against "principalities and powers in heavenly places." There are demonic forces operating in that area and you must be prepared to do spiritual warfare against a new enemy.
- If there is any hidden sin in your life, deal with it now. Make a commitment to walk in transparency and accountability with your home church pastor. Make a plan to stay in touch with him/her on a regular basis through email, letters or phone calls. You will be in a much more vulnerable state spiritually, so close and lock every door to the enemy.
- Be humble enough to ask for prayer when you need it. There will be times when you feel down, lonely, tempted and spiritually dry. Don't be a loner - speak up and let somebody help you.
- Always remember that your relationship with Jesus is the most important thing in your life. Interacting with Jesus is more important than staying busy with good works, more important than your ministry, and more important than worthy causes that keep you away from your prayer time. If you let your relationship with Him slide because of business with good works, it is like cutting off the water from the tree; all your good fruit will soon shrivel!
- Do an honest heart check. Is Jesus your all in all? When you are far away from everything that is familiar, comfortable and meaningful to you -- when your family, friends, and everyone who knows you well and can comfort you, is on the opposite side of the world -- is Jesus enough to fill up the loneliness in your heart and be your strength and joy? Truly surrender your heart to Him, and trust that His grace is sufficient for you.
