The Mystery RevealedSample

Day 16: Juli Prieto, Missions Pastor at UPPERROOM Dallas

Ephesians 6; Colossians 1

I love to plan and strategize. Give me a good plan, and I will always be ready to execute it. I can get in that mode even when it comes to missions. To know that a little above 40% of the world is unreached and there are still about 7,000 unreached people groups that don’t have anyone in their native tongue to tell them about Jesus brings me into a space of neverending ideas and strategies to reach them. (Data found at joshuaproject.com)

Several years ago, the Lord showed me a picture of the board game, Risk. In this game, each player has a mission to either conquer a certain geographical region or eliminate a specific group of troops. In the picture the Lord gave me, I was carefully positioning all my soldiers throughout North and South America in the direction of the unreached. As I was doing this, the Lord gently reminded me that these places are unreached not because of a lack of strategy, difficulty in receiving the gospel, or a language barrier but because they are governed by spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms that wage war against any and every person who comes in the name of the Lord (Ephesians 6:12). He reminded me, “The only way to go and complete this mission is through prayer.” This is such a beautiful reminder that it’s not in our own strength and, although strategies can be God-ordained, it’s not about our own strategies.

I have made it a daily practice to pray a simple prayer and put on the Armor of God. I do this knowing that He has given me all that I need to take His gospel to every nation and tongue! I encourage you to do the same, to put on His armor daily and pray in the Spirit on all occasions— whether you are going to a nation that is unreached or your own community, where so many people have yet to meet Jesus. You have all you need.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you that today I am strong in You and in Your mighty power. I put on Your full armor, knowing that You have given me all that I need to stand firm. I put on the belt of Your truth, knowing that Your realities are higher than any reality this world believes to be true. I put on the breastplate of righteousness. I know that my feet are fitted to bring the gospel of peace. Today, I take up the shield of faith. Thank you that You are the author and perfecter of my faith that shields me from every fiery dart. I put on the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. Remind me, Holy Spirit, of Your Word throughout my day. Show me how to pray today. Bring to mind those that need me to pray for them. Amen.