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This Day We Fight!: Breaking the Bondage of a Passive Spirit
Author Francis Frangipane tells us that the call of God is a call to war. An enemy lurks at our gates, and one of his first lines of attack is often a spirit of heaviness, which causes Christians to become passive. As a result, they do not pray with authority against the enemy, rendering themselves defenseless in the unfolding battle.
Backed by experience and delivered with passion, Frangipane's timeless message equips believers to receive a fresh anointing from the Holy Spirit--an anointing that will activate the "war mode" in their hearts. We stand at the cusp of a major spiritual awakening in our land, and this is no time for surrender. No, this day we fight!
Backed by experience and delivered with passion, Frangipane's timeless message equips believers to receive a fresh anointing from the Holy Spirit--an anointing that will activate the "war mode" in their hearts. We stand at the cusp of a major spiritual awakening in our land, and this is no time for surrender. No, this day we fight!
192 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2005
93 people are currently reading
417 people want to read
About the author
Francis Frangipane
102 books113 followersFrancis Frangipane is a Christian minister and author.
He is the best-selling author of 16 books, including Holiness, Truth, and the Presence of God and This Day We Fight. Pastor Frangipane is also the founder of In Christ's Image Training (ICIT), an international online ministry school with students in over 120 nations. This online course is designed to take Christians at all levels and lead them into a deeper understanding of what it means to be like Christ. The home study curriculum is quoted as being one of the most impactful journeys you may take with the Lord. Pastor Frangipane's prayer is to see Christlike pastors and intercessors united before God, revealing the love of Christ to their communities. To find out more about this ministry, please visit frangipane.org
He is the best-selling author of 16 books, including Holiness, Truth, and the Presence of God and This Day We Fight. Pastor Frangipane is also the founder of In Christ's Image Training (ICIT), an international online ministry school with students in over 120 nations. This online course is designed to take Christians at all levels and lead them into a deeper understanding of what it means to be like Christ. The home study curriculum is quoted as being one of the most impactful journeys you may take with the Lord. Pastor Frangipane's prayer is to see Christlike pastors and intercessors united before God, revealing the love of Christ to their communities. To find out more about this ministry, please visit frangipane.org
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 21, 2009
After reading this book enough times to have to keep the pages together with a big rubberband, need I say much more?
I may have a few minor disagreements or questions about the way Frangipane connects some of the dots Scripturally, in perhaps embellishing the context or interpretation...but nothing that deters me from being greatly encouraged and motivated by this wonderful book.
We are all weary of the fray. Those who follow Jesus fully and without reserve have been in an unseen struggle from the time we got really serious about Him, a struggle that is intensifying. The temptation is to want an extended R&R, but the enemy of Heaven doesn't fight according to the Geneva Accord. Our best R&R is described in Psalm 23, and in accepting Jesus' invitation in Matthew to receive His rest in coming to him.
Francipane lays a strong foundation at the beginning of this book in identifying the passivity that has held the Church in its grip for too long. The reasons for such a passive spirit are many, and don't matter. Bottom line: it's time to put on the armour again, and show up for duty. The rest of the book deals with various areas of spiritual combat, including the home front; our church; the city where we live; and the government. Nothing unusual there.
But it is the way Francipane drives his call to arms home that I find so energizing. I'm not left feeling burdened with even MORE on my spiritual "to do and achieve" list. Instead, I'm charged up with fresh confidence that this is a battle against an already defeated foe who is brash enough to think he can continue pretending...and for that reason, for the rest of the world who is being deceived and for Christians who are clueless...we must use the authority given by our Commander and retake lost spiritual territory.
There will be a time when weapons are melted down and turned into ploughshears. But that is not this day. "THIS day, we fight!"
I may have a few minor disagreements or questions about the way Frangipane connects some of the dots Scripturally, in perhaps embellishing the context or interpretation...but nothing that deters me from being greatly encouraged and motivated by this wonderful book.
We are all weary of the fray. Those who follow Jesus fully and without reserve have been in an unseen struggle from the time we got really serious about Him, a struggle that is intensifying. The temptation is to want an extended R&R, but the enemy of Heaven doesn't fight according to the Geneva Accord. Our best R&R is described in Psalm 23, and in accepting Jesus' invitation in Matthew to receive His rest in coming to him.
Francipane lays a strong foundation at the beginning of this book in identifying the passivity that has held the Church in its grip for too long. The reasons for such a passive spirit are many, and don't matter. Bottom line: it's time to put on the armour again, and show up for duty. The rest of the book deals with various areas of spiritual combat, including the home front; our church; the city where we live; and the government. Nothing unusual there.
But it is the way Francipane drives his call to arms home that I find so energizing. I'm not left feeling burdened with even MORE on my spiritual "to do and achieve" list. Instead, I'm charged up with fresh confidence that this is a battle against an already defeated foe who is brash enough to think he can continue pretending...and for that reason, for the rest of the world who is being deceived and for Christians who are clueless...we must use the authority given by our Commander and retake lost spiritual territory.
There will be a time when weapons are melted down and turned into ploughshears. But that is not this day. "THIS day, we fight!"
January 30, 2015
This is an amazing book that will awaken your spirit and open your eyes to the heart of God and the deception of the enemy, where your mind has been clouded, where you have allowed sin to enter in...it is a call to those who will have courage to look into their inner man and surrender all things to the Lord. Then, who will stand up and fight in prayer, intercession, worship, aggressive love, laying it all down and carrying your cross. A book in season...very good.
April 3, 2009
What I liked best were the practical steps to take to press forward in faith and prayer. It's a keeper!
January 14, 2013
WOW. This book is inspiring me! Reading it at a time when the battle is raging all around me. I have a choice to make. Do I just throw my hands up and say this is too much for me to deal with? Or do I stand and fight with the full authority that God gives me and the power of the Holy Spirit. This day I fight!
December 14, 2011
Introduction:
“The Church is overstocked with people who identify themselves as Christians but have no determined will to fight the fight of faith.” (9)
Thoughts on Chapter 1: The Bronze Bow
So far this book doesn’t seem too “out there”. He (Frangipane) is offering a challenge, but nothing really wacky or anything I haven’t heard before. He says that while there is a time to hide in the Lord, there is also a time to face the enemy and fight. He encourages/challenges Christians to take up God’s bronze bow (Psalm 18:34) and the armour of God and the exercise our/God’s authority over evil.
Thoughts on Chapter 2: Fighting the Fight of Faith
The theme of this chapter is either you attack evil or evil attacks you. There is no neutral ground and thus no passivity. God does not like laziness (and neither do I!). God wants us to take ownership of our lives, to fight off temptation, and to use the authority God has given us over evil.
Thoughts on Chapter 3: This Day We Fight!
This chapter maintains that David’s sin with Bathsheba was not driven by lust, but by passivity in David’s spirit. It was “the time when kings go off to war”, yet David stayed at home. This happens to modern Christians too, where we fall into some kind of sin because of our passive spirits. “Remember, the enemy’s first line of attack likely will not be bold and obvious.” (33)
“When we pray for the nations, God bends reality and moves life in the direction of redemption; when we fail to pray, life descends into deeper chaos.” (33)
I don’t like the tone the author takes regarding Islam in the Middle-Eastern world. It’s a very “We are American and we need to save their souls for GOD” almost self-righteous tone. Yes, pray for Muslims, but no, not everyone in the Middle East is a Muslim extremist. He says, “We need to…see the Islamic world as Christ sees it—ripe for the harvest” (34). I more think that Jesus sees Muslims as children that he loves and wants to get to know, rather than a product to be harvested.
“The very fabric of our culture is being attacked from within, and Christians, whom Jesus called salt and light, are sitting passively in darkness, unresponsive.” (35). I like the second half of this sentence, but the first half just repels me (aside from the cliché “the very fabric of…”). You’re worried about our culture being attacked? Our western culture? As if it’s something holy that needs to be defended? It’s our religion, our spirituality, our God, our relationships—those things matter. Not our culture.
Also, the author is constantly focussing on radical Islam, and ignoring regular Islam. He is also ignoring the Christians that are in the Middle East. The Middle East is where Christianity started, btw.
I can understand the author’s need and passion to call out Christians, but this chapter feels a lot like a guilt trip. And impractical! “To fight the enemy, do this, join this, write letters to this person…” People cannot add more things to their already cluttered lives! This will be counter-productive.
Also, Frangipane says that Lord of the Rings is clearly a metaphor, when didn’t Tolkien himself say it was just a story?
“A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day…This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, men of the West!” – Aragorn (I love this scene...)
Thoughts on Chapter 4: The War Mode
In this chapter Frangipane talks about finding the war mode inside of him. Something inside him that rose to a fight when he was attacked. It overcame his cowardice. I definitely know what this war mode feels like. Of course I can be a coward at times, but I am very familiar with this need to fight when someone needs defending. “This aggressive stance is governed by love for people, but it is fearless and uncompromising against the powers of darkness.” (40)
There’s another pro-American, anti-Muslim paragraph on page 40. Nothing blatant, pretty common in the American mindset, but irritating to me nonetheless. There is also a section from page 40 to 41 called Governments Administering Justice that I do not even want to discuss or read again. I don't like trying to tie Christianity to the government. It’s just too sketchy.
“God can still work a miracle of redemption over the Middle East.” (42) Well of course he can! But why are you focusing on the Middle East? The whole world needs a miracle of redemption, especially the United States and the western world.
“Beloved, it is conceivable that more terrorist attacks will occur, either in the United States or in other allied nations.” (42) First of all, do not call me beloved. I am not your beloved. I know some Christian authors like to use the word friend directed at their readers, but at this point I am not even your friend. Second, it is also conceivable that more terrorist attacks will occur in the Middle East and in other unallied nations. Will you care less about them?
Thoughts on Chapter 5: Love-Motivated Warfare
“The Holy Spirit has been calling the church to rise in intercessory prayer and to exercise spiritual authority.” (43) Well, that’s true.
“The problem is that too many Christians have confused peace with passivity.” (44) And this is also true. “Their lives are prayerless and they live in perpetual compromise with heaven’s enemies. This is not peace; it is bondage.” (44) There’s a powerful thought.
“As a follower of Christ, have you destroyed anything evil lately?” (46) There’s another powerful thought.
“The idea that our era is somehow less threatened by evil is the height of deception.” (46). The truth in this statement makes me sad.
Thoughts on Chapter 6: Embracing the Fight of Faith
This chapter starts in on the end-times stuff.
“May Christ’s love for mankind be our compelling motivation! Pick up your Bible and speak audibly the promises of God’s Word.” (52)
Thoughts on Chapter 7: Overcoming Discouragement
Still don’t like how he calls me beloved.
“Incidentally, I hear people say that they cannot pray with their eyes open, but that is not true. People often pray with their eyes open while driving.” (58)
“Faith without courage will always falter.” (59)
“Discouragement comes when we look only at our circumstances, without looking at the faithfulness and integrity of what God has promised. We grow ‘strong in faith’ each time that, in spite of our circumstances, we give glory to God.” (60). No one’s ever told me that second bit, that I can remember, but I’ve seen it in my life in the past few months, but I didn’t think that my growing faith was related to giving God praise in the storm.
“Indeed, in order for faith to mature, it needs situations in which faith alone can sustain us. For this reason God will allow us to go through times when we must trust him in spite of how things appear.” (61)
Francis, do not call me ‘dear one’ either.
Thoughts on Chapter 8: If We Do Not Lose Heart
“Satan seeks to wear us out through delays (‘alterations in times’) and in compromises of God’s Word (‘alterations…in law’)” (64). Compare to Daniel 7:25.
How long, Oh Lord is echoed by those who grow weary of waiting.
“Satan in the dragon who is going to ‘drag-on’ the battle.” (65). NO! STOP! BAD CHRISTIAN PUNS! THEY ARE TERRIBLE!
“We lose patience, eventually seeking relief rather than victory.” (65) So true!
“God looks at our character, forged in the fire of overpowering delays and battles, and says, ‘Good. This is what I was waiting for.’ ” (68)
Thoughts on Chapter 9: Goliath Had a Brother
Stop calling me dear one.
Huh. Goliath had children and a brother. I did not know that. (I wonder what his children felt when they heard their father had been killed—did they feel more than just vengeance?)
“Just because the current giant you are facing looks like the one you defeated in the past, do not buy the lie that you never really won the first battle.” (72)
Thoughts on Chapter 10: Overcoming Fear
“When it comes to changing the world, God cannot use strong people who trust in themselves.” (74)
“But instead of confronting issues in the love and authority of Jesus Christ, we simply adjust our lives to the level of our oppression.” (74) This happens far, far too often.
“The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.” Judges 6:12
“The resting in the Lord is the basis of all other success.” (76)
Thoughts on Chapter 11: Unwavering Perseverance
“If we are to succeed spiritually, among all other necessary virtues we especially will need perseverance.” (83)
Thoughts on Chapter 12: Your Appointment Awaits You
“I have known many who were doing well, moving toward their appointed destiny. The future God had for them seemed almost close enough to taste. Then they became disappointed in someone or something. By accepting disappointment into their spirits, a bitter cold winter took over their souls and their faith turned dormant.” (91)
“Are you carrying disappointment in your heart? Renounce it. Forgive those who have disappointed you. Pluck out of your spirit the paralyzing sting of disappointment. Today the Spirit of God has come to release you from the effect of this attack. He sent me to tell you, ‘Your appointment with your destiny is still set.’ ” (92)
Thoughts on Chapter 13: A Word to the Women of God
“The primary strength of each sex is that man establishes, woman births.” (95)
“Women excel in intercession, in spiritual sensitivity and the release of new beginnings.” (96)
“I believe God is raising up and anointing a prayer army of women who are about to be given greater power as they intercede before God for their families and nations.” (96). Well, this is kind of scary.
I don’t quite believe everything Frangipane is saying in this chapter; I think he’s stretching some ideas a bit. But my biggest complaint comes from the prayer at the end of the chapter, where he says, “Father, Islamic terrorists from without and moral decadence from within seek to destroy our homeland and families.” Enough with the Islamic terrorists. I realize they are bad, and I also realize that I don’t know just how bad they are. But Islamic terrorists are not the only threat to precious America.
Thoughts on Chapter 14: Prayer Warriors
“Prayer warriors are the most frightening, powerful, demon-chasing, world-moving beings on earth.” (103)
“Prayer is stronger than kings and mightier than armies. Prayer is the most powerful force on earth.” (103)
“Stop thinking of yourself as unable to pray. That is a lie out of hell. You are a prayer warrior!” (105)
Thoughts on Chapter 15: Fighting for Our Families
James 5:16
Thoughts on Chapter 16: The Real Jesus
“Jesus is seeking to get us to stop being such babies. He wants us to grow up into His image.” (120)
“If the Jesus you are following is not leading you into the realm of the impossible to make changes in your world, you are probably following the wrong one.” (121)
Thoughts on Chapter 17: Will Jesus Find Faith in You?
“The Lord allows enemies to smite a nation when there are no deliverers, no righteous souls willing to resist the evil in their land. If there are righteous people, he makes them deliverers and warriors.” (129) I don’t think that first sentence is true 100% of the time, but it is an interesting thought.
Thoughts on Chapter 18: When David Captured Jerusalem
“One of the errors of the church is to limit the expectation of our faith to what God did with previous generations. It is not wrong to want what others had, but God actually has more for us than what occurred in past eras.” (131)
Thoughts on Chapter 19: Hastened in Its Time
More end times stuff.
“My point is that we, too, are alive during a kairos time. More prophecies have been fulfilled in our days than at any time since the first century.” (140) I wonder how Frangipane got the authority on that.
“We should look, first of all, for the character and nature of Christ in an individual before we seek impartation from that person. Do not be intimidated or afraid to ask hard questions of that individual. Look for tangible fruit.” (142)
Thoughts on Chapter 20: And Then the End Shall Come
There are two major things that haven’t happened that need to before the world comes to an end: 1) “The Gospel of the Kingdom has not been proclaimed ‘to all nations’ (Matthew 24:14)” and 2) “nor has the Antichrist been revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3)” (146)
Thoughts on Chapter 21: Prophet, Priest and King
I find the debate about “Should Christians hold political office?” an interesting one.
Thoughts on Chapter 22: A Generation of Rulers
I really don’t understand this Christian adverb “prayerfully”.
Thoughts on Chapter 23: When America Blesses God
“…let’s also consider the promise of God that he would bless (prosper) those who bless Israel. Frankly, in spite of occasional disagreements, no nation on earth, ever, has stood with Israel as has the United States.” (167) Oh dear. United States bragging.
“Additionally, America is the most generous of nations. By far, Americans supply the most food and medical supplies to the poor world.” (168) And more United States bragging. Yes, you are a wealthy, if not the most wealthy, country. But look what it has done to you. Just look how exploiting poor workers overseas has boosted your economy. Just look at how war in the Middle East has boosted your national pride. Oh dear, I am getting cynical.
Thoughts on Chapter 24: The Lord of Armies
God Almighty.
“I know we are not supposed to be fearful, but an encounter with the living God or His angels in a terrifying experience. Note that I did not say bad, but terrifying. God is not trying to scare us; it just happens. In the Bible, whenever a person saw the Lord or an angel—or even a glimpse of God’s power—that individual instinctively passed out. How many times in the Scriptures do we read of the Lord telling His servants ‘Do not be afraid’? If you look at the context of these words, it is often just after one of His servants has seen him and, in response, has fainted. The phrase that describes the typical human reaction to an experience with God is not that a person ‘felt goose bumps’, but that he was ‘like a dead man’. God is great. He is a mighty warrior. And He is on our side to lead us into victory.” (174)
Yahweh-Sabaoth = the Lord of Hosts
“Let me concede that it is possible that angels have appeared to Christians in a feminine, comforting form on special occasions, but there are no references to feminine angels in the Bible.” (175-176)
“Just once some Christmas, I would like to see a real angel show up on top of the tree just as I plug in the light—bam!—nuclear glory radiating, instantly frying the Christmas tree into a skeleton of smouldering sticks; everyone in the family slain spiritually, unable to move for hours under the weight of the angelic presence.” (176) Ha! Wouldn’t that be something? I like this thought.
“Real angels do not wear diapers.” (177)
Thoughts on the Afterword:
“When the principles that begin to win the day run against your deepest convictions, then peace becomes a sin and war becomes your calling.” – Abraham Kuyper (184)
“Prayerdigm shift” = Oh dear, more Christian wordplay.
“Muslims have a prayer culture where Christians have a prayer meeting.” (188)
Hooray! Finally done this book. Now I can move on to something else. This book was okay. I don’t know that’s it’s one I would recommend.
“The Church is overstocked with people who identify themselves as Christians but have no determined will to fight the fight of faith.” (9)
Thoughts on Chapter 1: The Bronze Bow
So far this book doesn’t seem too “out there”. He (Frangipane) is offering a challenge, but nothing really wacky or anything I haven’t heard before. He says that while there is a time to hide in the Lord, there is also a time to face the enemy and fight. He encourages/challenges Christians to take up God’s bronze bow (Psalm 18:34) and the armour of God and the exercise our/God’s authority over evil.
Thoughts on Chapter 2: Fighting the Fight of Faith
The theme of this chapter is either you attack evil or evil attacks you. There is no neutral ground and thus no passivity. God does not like laziness (and neither do I!). God wants us to take ownership of our lives, to fight off temptation, and to use the authority God has given us over evil.
Thoughts on Chapter 3: This Day We Fight!
This chapter maintains that David’s sin with Bathsheba was not driven by lust, but by passivity in David’s spirit. It was “the time when kings go off to war”, yet David stayed at home. This happens to modern Christians too, where we fall into some kind of sin because of our passive spirits. “Remember, the enemy’s first line of attack likely will not be bold and obvious.” (33)
“When we pray for the nations, God bends reality and moves life in the direction of redemption; when we fail to pray, life descends into deeper chaos.” (33)
I don’t like the tone the author takes regarding Islam in the Middle-Eastern world. It’s a very “We are American and we need to save their souls for GOD” almost self-righteous tone. Yes, pray for Muslims, but no, not everyone in the Middle East is a Muslim extremist. He says, “We need to…see the Islamic world as Christ sees it—ripe for the harvest” (34). I more think that Jesus sees Muslims as children that he loves and wants to get to know, rather than a product to be harvested.
“The very fabric of our culture is being attacked from within, and Christians, whom Jesus called salt and light, are sitting passively in darkness, unresponsive.” (35). I like the second half of this sentence, but the first half just repels me (aside from the cliché “the very fabric of…”). You’re worried about our culture being attacked? Our western culture? As if it’s something holy that needs to be defended? It’s our religion, our spirituality, our God, our relationships—those things matter. Not our culture.
Also, the author is constantly focussing on radical Islam, and ignoring regular Islam. He is also ignoring the Christians that are in the Middle East. The Middle East is where Christianity started, btw.
I can understand the author’s need and passion to call out Christians, but this chapter feels a lot like a guilt trip. And impractical! “To fight the enemy, do this, join this, write letters to this person…” People cannot add more things to their already cluttered lives! This will be counter-productive.
Also, Frangipane says that Lord of the Rings is clearly a metaphor, when didn’t Tolkien himself say it was just a story?
“A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day…This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, men of the West!” – Aragorn (I love this scene...)
Thoughts on Chapter 4: The War Mode
In this chapter Frangipane talks about finding the war mode inside of him. Something inside him that rose to a fight when he was attacked. It overcame his cowardice. I definitely know what this war mode feels like. Of course I can be a coward at times, but I am very familiar with this need to fight when someone needs defending. “This aggressive stance is governed by love for people, but it is fearless and uncompromising against the powers of darkness.” (40)
There’s another pro-American, anti-Muslim paragraph on page 40. Nothing blatant, pretty common in the American mindset, but irritating to me nonetheless. There is also a section from page 40 to 41 called Governments Administering Justice that I do not even want to discuss or read again. I don't like trying to tie Christianity to the government. It’s just too sketchy.
“God can still work a miracle of redemption over the Middle East.” (42) Well of course he can! But why are you focusing on the Middle East? The whole world needs a miracle of redemption, especially the United States and the western world.
“Beloved, it is conceivable that more terrorist attacks will occur, either in the United States or in other allied nations.” (42) First of all, do not call me beloved. I am not your beloved. I know some Christian authors like to use the word friend directed at their readers, but at this point I am not even your friend. Second, it is also conceivable that more terrorist attacks will occur in the Middle East and in other unallied nations. Will you care less about them?
Thoughts on Chapter 5: Love-Motivated Warfare
“The Holy Spirit has been calling the church to rise in intercessory prayer and to exercise spiritual authority.” (43) Well, that’s true.
“The problem is that too many Christians have confused peace with passivity.” (44) And this is also true. “Their lives are prayerless and they live in perpetual compromise with heaven’s enemies. This is not peace; it is bondage.” (44) There’s a powerful thought.
“As a follower of Christ, have you destroyed anything evil lately?” (46) There’s another powerful thought.
“The idea that our era is somehow less threatened by evil is the height of deception.” (46). The truth in this statement makes me sad.
Thoughts on Chapter 6: Embracing the Fight of Faith
This chapter starts in on the end-times stuff.
“May Christ’s love for mankind be our compelling motivation! Pick up your Bible and speak audibly the promises of God’s Word.” (52)
Thoughts on Chapter 7: Overcoming Discouragement
Still don’t like how he calls me beloved.
“Incidentally, I hear people say that they cannot pray with their eyes open, but that is not true. People often pray with their eyes open while driving.” (58)
“Faith without courage will always falter.” (59)
“Discouragement comes when we look only at our circumstances, without looking at the faithfulness and integrity of what God has promised. We grow ‘strong in faith’ each time that, in spite of our circumstances, we give glory to God.” (60). No one’s ever told me that second bit, that I can remember, but I’ve seen it in my life in the past few months, but I didn’t think that my growing faith was related to giving God praise in the storm.
“Indeed, in order for faith to mature, it needs situations in which faith alone can sustain us. For this reason God will allow us to go through times when we must trust him in spite of how things appear.” (61)
Francis, do not call me ‘dear one’ either.
Thoughts on Chapter 8: If We Do Not Lose Heart
“Satan seeks to wear us out through delays (‘alterations in times’) and in compromises of God’s Word (‘alterations…in law’)” (64). Compare to Daniel 7:25.
How long, Oh Lord is echoed by those who grow weary of waiting.
“Satan in the dragon who is going to ‘drag-on’ the battle.” (65). NO! STOP! BAD CHRISTIAN PUNS! THEY ARE TERRIBLE!
“We lose patience, eventually seeking relief rather than victory.” (65) So true!
“God looks at our character, forged in the fire of overpowering delays and battles, and says, ‘Good. This is what I was waiting for.’ ” (68)
Thoughts on Chapter 9: Goliath Had a Brother
Stop calling me dear one.
Huh. Goliath had children and a brother. I did not know that. (I wonder what his children felt when they heard their father had been killed—did they feel more than just vengeance?)
“Just because the current giant you are facing looks like the one you defeated in the past, do not buy the lie that you never really won the first battle.” (72)
Thoughts on Chapter 10: Overcoming Fear
“When it comes to changing the world, God cannot use strong people who trust in themselves.” (74)
“But instead of confronting issues in the love and authority of Jesus Christ, we simply adjust our lives to the level of our oppression.” (74) This happens far, far too often.
“The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.” Judges 6:12
“The resting in the Lord is the basis of all other success.” (76)
Thoughts on Chapter 11: Unwavering Perseverance
“If we are to succeed spiritually, among all other necessary virtues we especially will need perseverance.” (83)
Thoughts on Chapter 12: Your Appointment Awaits You
“I have known many who were doing well, moving toward their appointed destiny. The future God had for them seemed almost close enough to taste. Then they became disappointed in someone or something. By accepting disappointment into their spirits, a bitter cold winter took over their souls and their faith turned dormant.” (91)
“Are you carrying disappointment in your heart? Renounce it. Forgive those who have disappointed you. Pluck out of your spirit the paralyzing sting of disappointment. Today the Spirit of God has come to release you from the effect of this attack. He sent me to tell you, ‘Your appointment with your destiny is still set.’ ” (92)
Thoughts on Chapter 13: A Word to the Women of God
“The primary strength of each sex is that man establishes, woman births.” (95)
“Women excel in intercession, in spiritual sensitivity and the release of new beginnings.” (96)
“I believe God is raising up and anointing a prayer army of women who are about to be given greater power as they intercede before God for their families and nations.” (96). Well, this is kind of scary.
I don’t quite believe everything Frangipane is saying in this chapter; I think he’s stretching some ideas a bit. But my biggest complaint comes from the prayer at the end of the chapter, where he says, “Father, Islamic terrorists from without and moral decadence from within seek to destroy our homeland and families.” Enough with the Islamic terrorists. I realize they are bad, and I also realize that I don’t know just how bad they are. But Islamic terrorists are not the only threat to precious America.
Thoughts on Chapter 14: Prayer Warriors
“Prayer warriors are the most frightening, powerful, demon-chasing, world-moving beings on earth.” (103)
“Prayer is stronger than kings and mightier than armies. Prayer is the most powerful force on earth.” (103)
“Stop thinking of yourself as unable to pray. That is a lie out of hell. You are a prayer warrior!” (105)
Thoughts on Chapter 15: Fighting for Our Families
James 5:16
Thoughts on Chapter 16: The Real Jesus
“Jesus is seeking to get us to stop being such babies. He wants us to grow up into His image.” (120)
“If the Jesus you are following is not leading you into the realm of the impossible to make changes in your world, you are probably following the wrong one.” (121)
Thoughts on Chapter 17: Will Jesus Find Faith in You?
“The Lord allows enemies to smite a nation when there are no deliverers, no righteous souls willing to resist the evil in their land. If there are righteous people, he makes them deliverers and warriors.” (129) I don’t think that first sentence is true 100% of the time, but it is an interesting thought.
Thoughts on Chapter 18: When David Captured Jerusalem
“One of the errors of the church is to limit the expectation of our faith to what God did with previous generations. It is not wrong to want what others had, but God actually has more for us than what occurred in past eras.” (131)
Thoughts on Chapter 19: Hastened in Its Time
More end times stuff.
“My point is that we, too, are alive during a kairos time. More prophecies have been fulfilled in our days than at any time since the first century.” (140) I wonder how Frangipane got the authority on that.
“We should look, first of all, for the character and nature of Christ in an individual before we seek impartation from that person. Do not be intimidated or afraid to ask hard questions of that individual. Look for tangible fruit.” (142)
Thoughts on Chapter 20: And Then the End Shall Come
There are two major things that haven’t happened that need to before the world comes to an end: 1) “The Gospel of the Kingdom has not been proclaimed ‘to all nations’ (Matthew 24:14)” and 2) “nor has the Antichrist been revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3)” (146)
Thoughts on Chapter 21: Prophet, Priest and King
I find the debate about “Should Christians hold political office?” an interesting one.
Thoughts on Chapter 22: A Generation of Rulers
I really don’t understand this Christian adverb “prayerfully”.
Thoughts on Chapter 23: When America Blesses God
“…let’s also consider the promise of God that he would bless (prosper) those who bless Israel. Frankly, in spite of occasional disagreements, no nation on earth, ever, has stood with Israel as has the United States.” (167) Oh dear. United States bragging.
“Additionally, America is the most generous of nations. By far, Americans supply the most food and medical supplies to the poor world.” (168) And more United States bragging. Yes, you are a wealthy, if not the most wealthy, country. But look what it has done to you. Just look how exploiting poor workers overseas has boosted your economy. Just look at how war in the Middle East has boosted your national pride. Oh dear, I am getting cynical.
Thoughts on Chapter 24: The Lord of Armies
God Almighty.
“I know we are not supposed to be fearful, but an encounter with the living God or His angels in a terrifying experience. Note that I did not say bad, but terrifying. God is not trying to scare us; it just happens. In the Bible, whenever a person saw the Lord or an angel—or even a glimpse of God’s power—that individual instinctively passed out. How many times in the Scriptures do we read of the Lord telling His servants ‘Do not be afraid’? If you look at the context of these words, it is often just after one of His servants has seen him and, in response, has fainted. The phrase that describes the typical human reaction to an experience with God is not that a person ‘felt goose bumps’, but that he was ‘like a dead man’. God is great. He is a mighty warrior. And He is on our side to lead us into victory.” (174)
Yahweh-Sabaoth = the Lord of Hosts
“Let me concede that it is possible that angels have appeared to Christians in a feminine, comforting form on special occasions, but there are no references to feminine angels in the Bible.” (175-176)
“Just once some Christmas, I would like to see a real angel show up on top of the tree just as I plug in the light—bam!—nuclear glory radiating, instantly frying the Christmas tree into a skeleton of smouldering sticks; everyone in the family slain spiritually, unable to move for hours under the weight of the angelic presence.” (176) Ha! Wouldn’t that be something? I like this thought.
“Real angels do not wear diapers.” (177)
Thoughts on the Afterword:
“When the principles that begin to win the day run against your deepest convictions, then peace becomes a sin and war becomes your calling.” – Abraham Kuyper (184)
“Prayerdigm shift” = Oh dear, more Christian wordplay.
“Muslims have a prayer culture where Christians have a prayer meeting.” (188)
Hooray! Finally done this book. Now I can move on to something else. This book was okay. I don’t know that’s it’s one I would recommend.
May 5, 2020
Francis sheds a lot of light on the reality of spiritual warfare by focussing on the Biblical truth of it. It will encourage you and give you a better understanding of the part God has called us to play in these times.
September 19, 2007
Anything by Francis Frangipane is good and informative. This is a look on fighting spiritual warfare.
July 21, 2013
Just excellent!! I received an anointing and renewed energy to pray and do spiritual warfare and stand my ground. Each time I read it, I am empowered and energized by the Holy Spirit.
December 13, 2017
Great book that motivates the inner parts of us to stand on truth principals and fight for our hearts.
October 11, 2019
Francis Frangipane wrote this book with the intent of helping Christians to release the warrior spirit and how to overcome a defeated state/attitude. He succeeds becauseof his approach and crisp wiritng and clarity. His straightforward challenge to Christians to not kow-tow to evil is a spiritual battle cry to gear up for battle. He encourages and exhorts Christians to get into the spiritual war made and to operate in a mode of spiritual aggression. The spirits/feelings of discouragement, deception and doubt are dissected by the author. The reader is led through steps of re-affirming one's faith, God's promises, and truth. The key to all this is having an emotional and spiritual connection with God. One must be humble through this. Armed with this knowledge, the believer will be triumphant by relying of God and His promises. As God will destroy the works of the devil, we must take the battle to the devil when he attacks.
February 23, 2008
A good book about resilience in spiritual warfare but not up to par with Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God and The Three Battlegrounds.
August 3, 2014
This is a challenging and encouraging book filled to the brim with great quotable phrases of wisdom.
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