Introduction

My primary goal in this book is to promote the excitement of the mission to which God has called the church, and the role of prayer within that mission. The Old Testament promised great future blessing accompanied by the outpouring the Spirit of God. Even though the fullness of that blessing is in our future—at the second coming of Christ—the power of that future kingdom is ours to use now because the Spirit has been poured out and Jesus has begun his reign from heaven. The Bible reveals prayer to be a powerful link between the first and the final stages of the kingdom. It is a weapon of war employed by audacious and bold secret agents on a mission to advance God’s kingdom toward its final stage. Through their prayers, kingdom agents bring the transforming power of the future to bear on the present, and thus move the present closer to the future. We have future power now.
When Elisha’s servant was afraid, Elisha prayed that the servant would see the reality that was otherwise unseen. He said to the servant,

“Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.’ 2 Kings 6:16-17 NKJV

The normally invisible armies of heaven became visible to bolster the faith of the servant. This event was a mere foretaste of the invisible kingdom of God becoming visible in Christ. Although he has gone into heaven, he has sent the Holy Spirit to be with us. Though we do not yet see the kingdom of God in its full glory, it is even now present and we who believe are its citizens. When we pray as those who are sure of the unseen realities, his kingdom advances. Because of the presence of the future kingdom, we pray even now with the power of the future.