It amazes me how little preparation missionaries receive in curses and spiritual warfare before going to places that are infested with demons.
The ‘attrition rate’ is high, often because of ignorance and unbelief by churches and mission organisations.
This often results in sickness, tragedy and even death among godly, faithful people.
Over the years, I have prayed for many returning missionaries suffering from things like chronic fatigue, mental issues, skin problems and incurable diseases.
God healed most of them. Others either quit, or were too ill to continue.
Aspiring missionaries will not be able to tackle the enemy effectively unless they know him and understand his tactics.
Warfare should be a lifestyle, the same as prayer, not something we pack with our passports.
They must learn how to protect themselves, how to use their spiritual weapons and engage regularly in spiritual warfare in their local situations.
If they can’t enforce Jesus’ victory in this country, they shouldn’t set foot in places like Africa and Asia.
Personal preparation is vital. Ephesians 4:27 says: ‘Do not give the devil a foothold.’ The word foothold means giving him space or ground to operate.
And it also refers to being in a ‘condition’.
What ‘condition’ are you in?
It’s better to find out before you go onto the mission field than come home defeated.