Two Realities

By Francis Frangipane

At any given moment, standing before our world there are two core realities. The first is that which is the consequence of present and past events.  In this realm, wars become more destructive, immorality becomes more rampant; disease multiplies out of control, and fear strengthens and becomes immobilizing.  In part, this darkened, demonically manipulated reality is what we actually have today, yet clearly a more hellish, worse version of our present world is preparing to emerge.  It is of this diabolical world that the scripture speaks of when it warns: "the days are evil" (Eph 5:16).

Yet, there is another reality that is also available to mankind.  This second realm is the “prayed for” version of the first reality.  It, too, stands prepared to show itself.  This reality is full of miracles, divine reversals and divine intervention.  It is the world of sin confronted, conquered and redeemed by the power of heaven.  The scripture calls this reality "the day which the Lord has made" and commands us to "rejoice and be glad in it" (Ps 118:24).

Since time began, both of these realities have always existed.  The Scriptures bear witness to numerous occasions when people have cried out to God and found the Almighty a willing ally in transforming their culture.  When Israel humbled themselves, repented and prayed, and sought again the face of God, the Lord intervened and scattered their enemies.  Consider also the ancient Ninevites.  When they, too, humbled themselves with fasting and prayer, divine mercy fell upon their culture as well.  Indeed, the transformation of their culture was so stunning that Jonah, the prophet sent by God to announce Nineveh’s destruction, actually was displeased that Israel’s enemies received mercy.  Jonah lamented, "I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity" (Jonah 4:2).

Jonah knew the mercy of the Lord.  He also knew that, once a people humbled themselves before the living God, no enemy that stood against them could prosper.  The Lord, indeed, was standing ready to show Himself strong on behalf of those who feared Him.

As I have lived and known the Lord, He has relentlessly proven over and over again to be a God who answers prayer.  He stood with our armies in WWII; He helped bring down the atheistic Soviet Empire.  I believe He stands ready today to overthrow our enemies.

However, I also know for God to answer prayers, we must pray them. We aggressively support the prayer initiative and want to encourage everyone who calls upon the name of Jesus to join this prayer siege until we see the demonic power broken.  

We also ask that pastors and church leadership teams embrace a lifestyle of prayer, leading their congregations into intercession during all regularly scheduled services.  It was prayer that brought an end to the Soviet Empire; it will be prayer that breaks the demonic power that is fueling darkness today.  No man can stop the march of time, but our intercession can bring the power of heaven to bear upon this world.   With hearts aflame with the spirit of Christ, we can rejoice together in seeing the day which the Lord has made.