“Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, IT SHALL BE DONE FOR THEM BY MY FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I AM THERE IN THEIR MIDST.” (Matt. 18:19-20)
Let’s clear up something about this verse: First, the context here is talking about correcting an erring brother but it does say “anything we may ask”! Secondly, when we say that Christ is present in our midst when we are praying with two or three others, we are implying something awful about personal prayer: that he is not present when we pray alone. THIS IS NOT TRUE. Christ’s presence cannot be any greater in one situation than another. He does not hear you better when you have others with you. He is not more inclined to listen to your cries if you have a couple of prayer partners holding your hands saying “umm” and “amen.” There is simply no way to have more of Christ’s ear than you do alone. He is in your midst now because, being omnipresent, HE IS ALWAYS IN OUR IMMEDIATE PRESENCE! So, is it important for us to get together and pray?
“…we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.” (Rom. 14:19).
Paul tells us to “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2)
We are taught to build up each other by bearing one another’s burdens, what better way to do that than in united prayer, remembering:
“Truly truly I tell you, whoever believes in me WILL DO THE WORKS I HAVE BEEN DOING, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I WILL DO WHATEVER YOU ASK IN MY NAME, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me FOR ANYTHING IN MY NAME, and I will do it.” (John 14:12-14)
Just remember, as we prayer this prayer Jesus is talking about us doing the things He did while He was here with us! Healing, delivering and encouraging!
Let’s trust Jesus together – today…Bill Stockham