I remember being on a two-month missions trip to Moscow, Russia, many years ago and having a conversation with my good friend, Dean Kershner. Our schedules were so busy, ministry opportunities were everywhere, and exciting things were happening! “But,” I lamented to Dean, “I feel like I need some time for concentrated prayer and fasting to really experience the power and blessing that I need from God to do this work.”
Dean thought for a moment and then said, “You know, Scott, the time to have been fasting and spending time in concentrated prayer would have been before you came here to Moscow. Right now, we are in the thick of the battle. You need to be praying, reading, and staying close to God - but the time of preparation is over.”
When I heard that, I thought about Jesus words to his disciples in Matthew 17 when they were unable to deliver an afflicted boy from the evil spirit that possessed him. Jesus said, “This kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting.” The disciples were facing an immediate situation. They didn’t have the time to start fasting and spending time in concentrated prayer right then. The reason that they didn’t have the power necessary was because they were not spiritually prepared and conditioned by a life of prayer and fasting.
As I think about going back to Ukraine, I am realizing how vital it is to prepare my heart for the ministry before us by seeking God right now and keeping my heart clear before Him. Most importantly, the Lord has been showing me that the power of my ministry is genuine love. 1 Corinthians 13 teaches us that any life or ministry is a complete waste (no matter how gifted, sacrificial, committed, or knowledgeable) without genuine love. And, of course, that love cannot be generated on our own. We must allow ourselves to be vessels for God’s love so that He can love others through us.
My prayer now, before I get back to the mission field, is that God would fill me with a new depth of His perfect love!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
The Importance of Preparing
