I
have recently had contact with a few of our missionaries who spoke about difficulties
they are facing. We need to know that when missionaries experience trials and
difficulties, there is a spiritual struggle behind it. And we need to pray for
them, that they might stand firm in the struggle. The same holds true for our
sisters on the field, and for all workers.
Missionaries go out with joy, enthusiasm, conviction, and a deep sense of calling. They leave behind familiar places, beloved communities, and cherished families, to bring the gospel to those who have not yet heard it. But the path of mission work is rarely smooth. Many face ongoing difficulties—discouragement, conflict, loneliness, and at times even hostility from the very people they long to serve. Scripture teaches us that these struggles are part of a deeper, unseen conflict.
Missionaries need to navigate cultural differences and organizational challenges; but more than that, they are stepping directly into the front lines of a spiritual battle.
The New Testament is unambiguous: the devil hates the gospel. He hates the freedom it brings. He hates the light it shines. And he hates to see people escaping his clutches through the ministry of Christ’s servants.
When missionaries proclaim Christ, they are not just teaching ideas. They are announcing liberty to captives. They are tearing down strongholds. They are shining light into darkness. It should not surprise us, then, that the evil one pushes back.
Paul reminds us that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). Missionaries feel this reality acutely. The devil cannot snatch back those whom Christ has claimed, but he can—and does—attempt to discourage, distract, and divide those who carry the message of salvation.
One of the most painful trials missionaries face is not external persecution but internal strife. Disagreements within a congregation, misunderstandings among supporters, or tensions with fellow workers can cut deeply. Even more wounding is when gossip or slander begins to circulate—sometimes quietly, sometimes loudly. That causes weariness beyond telling.
These things are not trivial. They are not merely “personality clashes” or “communication issues” or “cultural misunderstandings.” They are spiritual attacks. The devil delights in sowing suspicion, resentment, and division among God’s people. If he cannot stop the gospel from being preached, he will try to weaken the preacher and his wife. If he cannot silence the missionaries, he will try to isolate them.
Gossip and slander are among Satan’s oldest tools. Our Lord called him “the liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Gossip and slander drain courage, cloud judgment, and break trust. And they can leave faithful servants feeling abandoned, misunderstood, depleted, and betrayed.
Missionaries often carry burdens that few see. They may feel pressure to appear strong, composed, and unwavering. When they visit the supporting churches, they smile and endeavour to appear positive. Yet behind the scenes they may be wrestling with discouragement, fatigue, or spiritual oppression. They may be near to burn out. The apostle Paul himself spoke of being “utterly burdened beyond his strength” and “that he despaired of life itself” (2 Corinthians 1:8). Missionaries are not immune to such experiences.
Their struggle is not a sign of failure. It is a sign that they are engaged in work that matters.
Where the gospel advances, the enemy resists. Where light shines, darkness pushes back. Where Christ builds, Satan attempts to tear down. Missionaries stand in this tension every day. As is often attributed to Martin Luther, “Where Christ builds a church, the devil builds a chapel.” It may not be a verbatim quotation, but the saying captures the fact that the devil always opposes the advance of the gospel.
And yet we know that Satan has been defeated and that Christ has won. The devil may rage, but he is beaten. His fury is real, but his power is limited. Christ has already triumphed, and he equips his servants with everything they need to stand firm.
Missionaries do not labour alone. The risen Lord goes with them, the Holy Spirit strengthens them, the prayers of the church uphold them, and the Father watches over them with unfailing and loving care.
When disagreements arise, Christ can bring reconciliation. When gossip spreads, Christ can vindicate. When discouragement weighs heavily, Christ can lift up the weary. When the devil attacks, Christ shields his servants with his own victory.
If missionaries face spiritual battles, then the church must support them with spiritual weapons. They need more than financial support—though that is important. They need prayer, encouragement, and steadfast solidarity.
Contact your church’s missionary with an encouraging word. We have many means at our disposal to do so, from an old falchioned letter in the mail, to a quick text.
We are all engaged in spiritual warfare, whether on the mission field or on the home front. Satan attacks us here in North America as he attacks missionaries and the converted in Mexico, Brazil, PNG, and other fields. He may use different methods in Africa than he does in Canada, but attack he does. Some of our missionaries are labouring in western culture, and so they feel “western” attacks as well.
Pray for the missionaries;
Sometimes the devi’s attacks are overt; sometimes they are subtle. We all need to be on guard against the devil, who attacks the church like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Brothers and sisters, missionaries are not heroes in their own strength. They are servants upheld by grace. And the Lord who called them is faithful. He will not abandon them in the struggle. He will complete the work he began—both in them and through them.
