Agreeing In Prayer

  On my Tuesday, May 24^th CNR broadcast I’m going to be dealing with a subject that a lot of people seem to have a problem understanding. I’m going to be dealing with what Jesus meant in Matthew 18:19 when He said “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” Many don’t seem to have the concept down as to what this means.

  Here’s the short form of the teaching, which I highly recommend you listen to.  You can listen to it at www.blogtalkradio.com/christiannewsreview

  Here’s what we normally find happening in churches. A phone call comes in that sister Smith is in the hospital not expected to live; everyone is requested to pray. Well half of the church is praying “Lord, if it’s her time to go, let her leave in peace and without pain.” Another group is praying “Lord heal sister Smith and show Your miracle working power,” while still another group is praying “Father Your will be done in sister Smith’s situation.” Now I ask you, where’s the agreement in that? How is God to honor the prayer when there are so many praying the same thing?

  When coming together in agreement, it’s really important that everyone is praying the same prayer, asking for the same thing. W.E. Vine’s defines the word agreement, which is the Greek word “sumphoneo” to mean “to be in accord” and “of persons concerning a matter.” This means that before we “come together in agreement” we first have to agree as to how we’re going to pray. We have to all be praying for the same thing to happen so that there aren’t several differing prayer requests going before God on the same matter.

  The example we gave, regarding sister Smith, would have more affect and would garner a quicker answer if the person calling for the prayer team would say “sister Smith is in the hospital not expected to live; we need to all pray for her healing.” With the prayer team all praying for the same thing, God now has a single prayer, that’s being agreed upon by two or more people, and can answer it. Often we think we’re coming in agreement when, in actuality, we’re not praying for the same thing. This puts God in a situation where someone’s prayer isn’t going to be answered: and someone will have occasion to blame God for not answering the way they prayed.

  So, when you want to ask someone to pray with you for a need in your life, it is critical that you explain to them how to pray. Tell them what you’d like them to pray for and how so that you and they are in agreement with your prayer. Agree on how you’re going to approach the throne of God, exactly what you’ll be asking for and agree together with that prayer. Friends, you’ll find you’ll have much better success with your prayer life and hearing from God when you join together as one voice, not a half dozen.

  I hope and pray that this short blog on Agreeing in Prayer will be a help to you and your family. God bless you and keep you,

Dave