Can we agree about anything and know God will answer?

Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:19)

When Jesus promises that if two of us agree about anything we ask for, it will be done by our Father in heaven, it may sound like a blank check, but when we consider the context of this promise, we see that it is not.

In context (Matthew 18:15-20), this promise follows verses in which Jesus had just taught His followers how to handle conflicts in the church. In principle, He was referring to our life in the kingdom—saying in effect, when we come with our hearts united in agreement on church or kingdom business, what we ask will be done by our Father in heaven.

When we pray together for what we need to serve God and His kingdom purpose, He will provide. We add further weight to our payers when we pray according to His will (1 John 5:14-15). How do we know His will? We pray His Word, standing on the principles and promises of Scripture. This gives us even more confidence that our prayers will be heard and answered, because we have His promise that His Word will accomplish His purpose (Isaiah 55:11)!



Think how powerful corporate prayer is when it rests on these promises!

Why does praying together add power to our prayers?

There is power in unity! When soldiers march across a foot bridge, they break cadence because the force generated by their unified marching can bring down a bridge. Apply that same idea to the spiritual world, and you can see why there is power in united prayer—just as physical force is exerted when soldiers march in step, spiritual power is released when God’s people come with one heart and purpose, praying in cadence.

Such power in unity is strongest when God’s people (couples, families, small groups, churches, ministries) pray the same scriptures, for the same needs. Such praying rests on two significant promises:

1)...so My word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish My purpose…. (Isaiah 55:11a)

2) Now this is the confidence we have before Him: whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for. (1 John 5:14-15)

The most certain way to pray God’s will is to pray His Word, and it will accomplish His purpose. When we pray scripture in unity, our prayers exert a strong spiritual force that is magnified as we continue. So let's pray God's Word in unity!

Three Quick—but Effective Ways to Pray over a List

Specific, detailed prayers are wonderful when we have time, but brief prayers can be both specific yet brief and powerful. Consider grouping prayer requests together by topic, such as our attached list of e3 Mission Teams who will serve in July.

One brief Scripture prayer can encompasses each team and powerfully lay hold of God’s promises: 1) that His Word will accomplish His purpose (Isaiah 55:11); 2) that and we can have what we ask when we pray His will (1 John 5:14-15); 3)and when many pray in agreement and can have what we ask (Matthew 18:19).

We can pray in agreement as Paul prayed for the Ephesians, specific requests but no names or details (Ephesians 1:9-11; 3:14-19), or we may add information as we have time. Here are three effective ways to pray through the list:

1) Father, I’m praying for all these e3 mission teams….

2) Father, I’m praying for all these e3 mission teams, led by…. Gary, Darla; Donald, Mary, Frances …and so on through list of first names.

3) Father, I’m praying for all these e3 mission teams….July 10-20, led by Gary and Darla—to Romania; July 11-19, led by Donald, Mary and Frances—to Ecuador ...and so on through the list.

This principle will work for any list of prayer requests, and will enable you to pray effectively for many people in a brief time.