The Invisible Force that Moves the Missionary

The mission field is, above all, a battlefield in the spiritual realm. When we talk about missions, we’re not just talking about distant places or different cultures. We’re dealing with souls—people’s eternal destinies—and that automatically puts us in a war against the kingdom of darkness. That’s why it is essential for the missionary to understand and walk in the authority that has been given by Jesus Christ. This authority is not the result of a course, human ordination, or a position. It is a real power, coming from heaven, given by the Lord Himself to every believer who obeys His missionary call.

In Luke 10:19, Jesus said, “Behold, I give you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means harm you.” This shows us that the missionary does not enter an unfamiliar territory without backing. He goes with a seal of spiritual authority, given by the King of kings.

The authority the missionary carries comes directly from Christ. He Himself declared in Matthew 28:18-19, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations...” The mission is His, the power is His, the authority is His—but He shared it with us. This means that as the missionary walks, preaches, prays, and serves, he is backed by all the authority that exists in heaven and on earth. This understanding changes the posture of God's servant in the field. He no longer acts like a spiritual beggar waiting for something to happen, but as an ambassador of the Kingdom—declaring the Word and trusting in the power of God that goes with him.

However, this authority must be used with discernment, because the enemy is also real and actively tries to block, delay, and oppress the advance of the gospel. The apostle Peter exhorts us in 1 Peter 5:8-9: “Be sober, be vigilant. Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith...” The missionary must remain firm, watchful, and aware that there is spiritual resistance—but also that he has the authority to resist, pray, cast out, and advance. The believer’s armor is available, and as Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:10, we must be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

The place where this authority is activated and renewed is in prayer. In the field, the missionary often finds himself alone, without visible support—but never without spiritual covering. In Ephesians 1:19-21 we read about the power of God that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him far above all rule and authority. And that same power operates in us who believe. In other words, when the missionary kneels in his room, when he enters into communion with the Father, he accesses this power source and receives direction straight from heaven. In this place of intimacy with God, the Holy Spirit reveals the exact Word for that moment, and then the time comes for the missionary to rise in faith and declare what God has spoken. The revealed Word is the sword of the Spirit, and when the missionary believes and declares it with authority, spiritual chains break, hearts are touched, and the Kingdom advances.

Colossians 2:10 says, “And in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” This means we lack nothing. The authority is in Christ, and we are in Him. The missionary doesn’t need to feel inferior, weak, or spiritually unprepared. He has already been equipped. He is already complete. What’s needed is to act with faith and conviction. The Holy Spirit, who dwells in the missionary, is always ready to bring the Word to remembrance, to give discernment, and to lead God’s servant to victory.

And we must understand that this authority is not floating or scattered. It was given to the Church. The Church of Christ is the bearer of God’s authority on Earth. And the missionary, as part of the Body of Christ, also carries this authority. He is not acting on his own. He does not represent himself. He represents heaven. Therefore, when he speaks, when he prays, when he ministers, he is acting in the name of the Lord of Hosts. And heaven responds.

So the message I leave to missionaries is this: use the authority that has already been given. Don’t wait to feel something before you act. Faith is what moves us. You’ve already received authority to trample evil, to overcome oppression, to proclaim freedom to the captives and salvation to the lost. You are part of the Church, and the Church is God’s agency on Earth. Where it arrives, darkness retreats. Where it speaks, the Word prevails. Where it prays, heaven responds. And where it believes, miracles happen. Rise up, missionary, and walk in the authority of Christ in missions—until all have heard.

Peniel N Dourado

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