Prayer is one of the greatest privileges given to believers. It is the means by which we communicate with God, align our hearts with His will, and invite His power to move in our lives. In Matthew 18, verse 19, Jesus gives a profound promise to His disciples:
Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.
This statement not only emphasizes the importance of prayer, but also reveals the unique power that comes from agreement and unity among believers. Understanding this verse helps us unlock a deeper dimension of prayer that is both personal and corporate, individual yet collective, and earthly yet heavenly.
Jesus' words may sound too simple. How can two people asking together guarantee God's answer? To properly understand, we must consider the context. Jesus was speaking to His disciples about relationships, and the community of believers. Just before this verse, He talked about discipline in the church and how unity and order were essential in handling disagreements. Immediately after, He gave the promise that God's presence dwells where two or three gather in His name. So this verse about agreeing in prayer is rooted in the principle of unity and harmony among God's children. It is not a blank check for selfish desires, but an invitation to come together in faith, aligning with God's purposes and experiencing His power in response.
One lesson we learn here is the importance of unity in the body of Christ. Agreement in prayer is not simply about two people saying the same words, but about two hearts being aligned in faith, and in the will of God. Unity is powerful because it reflects the nature of God Himself. and Holy Spirit are one, perfectly united in purpose and love. When believers pray in unity, they mirror that divine harmony.
The devil often tries to sow division in relationships, churches, and families because he knows that disunity weakens prayer. But when believers are united even in small numbers, their prayers carry a multiple role. This teaches us that prayer is not just an individual act, but a community exercise, and heaven responds in a special way when we agree together.
Another key lesson is that agreement requires faith and humility. To agree with another person in prayer, I must set aside pride, and selfish desires. Agreement means coming into alignment not just with one another, but with God's Word. If two believers are united in prayer, if two believers come together with selfish motives or conflicting hearts, their prayer cannot truly be called agreement. Real agreement flows from a shared trust in God's promises and a mutual surrender to His will.
This is why Jesus said, as touching anything that they shall ask. The focus is not just on asking, meaning holding onto something together in faith. Agreement is not superficial. It requires depth of trust, unity of purpose, and a faith that clings to God's promises.
This passage also highlights the authority of believers in prayer. Jesus makes it clear that the Father responds to the prayers of His children when they agree. An agreement strengthens prayer because it removes doubt. When one person prays alone, they may sometimes struggle with uncertainty or fear. But when to agree together in faith, doubt is displaced by encouragement and boldness is increased. This is why God gave us the Church, not only for fellowship, but also for mutual strength in prayer. The agreement of believers is not a small matter. It is a reflection of the authority Christ gave His followers to bind and loose on earth, as He had mentioned earlier in Matthew 18, verse 18. An agreement is like a seal, a confirmation that the prayer being lifted is aligned with God's authority and kingdom purposes.
One of the most practical applications of this teaching is in our daily struggles and mountains of life. Often, we face situations that seem overwhelming when handled alone, whether financial burdens, health crises, family conflicts, or spiritual battles. Jesus' promise in Matthew 18, verse 19 reminds us that we do not have to face these struggles in isolation. When we invite a brother or sister in Christ to pray with us, we are not just sharing our burden, but also multiplying faith.
The prayer of agreement becomes a weapon against discouragement and a declaration of trust in God's power. This is why James later wrote, Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that they may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, James 5, verse 16. When prayers are combined in faith, the results are powerful and transformative.
However, it is important to remember that agreement in prayer must be aligned with God's will. Jesus did not intend for this verse to be used as a magical formula, where two people can demand anything they want from God. Scripture consistently teaches that God answers prayers according to His will and for His glory.
The promise here is not that God will grant every request, but that when two believers are united in His will and ask according to His purposes, the Father will surely act. Agreement prayer is powerful because it pushes us beyond selfishness and into alignment with God's kingdom. The more we agree with God, the easier it is to agree with one another in prayer.
Faith is another critical element in this teaching. Agreement without faith is powerless. Jesus said elsewhere that if we have faith the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. Faith does not ignore problems, but confronts them by trusting God's power. In the context of agreement, faith is multiplied.
Two people standing together in faith are stronger than one. Even the smallest faith, when joined with another believer's faith and placed in God, becomes a powerful force. Doubt weakens faith, but agreement strengthens it. This is why Jesus often sent His disciples out two by two. He knew that they would need each other's faith to stand strong against opposition and to pray effectively.
Another lesson is that prayer is not just about asking, but about a relationship. Jesus says, This phrase highlights the earthly and human side of prayer. It is about people, relationships, and shared faith. God cares deeply about how His people, His children, relate to one another. If believers are divided, holding grudges, or walking in unforgiveness, their prayers lose power.
But when there is reconciliation, harmony, and love, their prayers become unstoppable. Agreement prayer is a call to unity, not just in words, but in relationships. It reminds us that we cannot be powerful in prayer if we are careless in love.
Finally, Matthew 18 points us to the presence of God. In the very next verse, Jesus says, For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Agreement in prayer invites the presence of Christ Himself. When believers unite in prayer, Jesus promises to be there with them.
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