When I just gave my life to Christ, there was something I found so interesting in the church and among the brethren then that was so beautiful and powerful. They prayed together. You would always see in the church two or more people coming together as “prayer partners”; they come together to pray on some very important things, privately and collectively. It was a beautiful sight to behold; and the church of God was usually the better for it!
But in recent times, this culture have died down and in some cases non-existent. People in the church today no longer have prayer partners (though some still do and they obviously know the attendant benefit to it) and everyone is running towards personal and selfish ambitions. No wonder the church of today lacks the vibrancy needed. Attendance at prayer meetings have even dropped drastically, except where there is ‘a man of God’ in town to anoint people for power and prosperity.
I say this to the shame of all of us today. We are too busy chasing after the shadows in life and ministry that we leave out the very much powerful prerequisite for getting our prayers answered. Even Jesus in His last days on earth needed people to agree with Him in prayers (Mat.26:36-45).
Even as I write to you now I have friends that we started out as prayer partners scattered all over the world who still keep in touch with me in prayers. In spite of the distance between us we still keep in prayer-touch with each other and our regular prayer chain is still sustained as I write.
It is a beautiful experience to have confidants and partners in the place of prayer and we need to go back to this old practice.
"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. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)
God has given power and authority to the Church and when we stand together in unified pray His power is released in great measure. We need to embrace this treasure all over again if we must experience the outpouring of God’s graciousness in our lives and in the lives of others.
WHAT IS PRAYER OF AGREEMENT? (Mat.18:16-20)
The prayer of agreement is: Agreeing together in prayer for God’s purposes on earth.
The Greek word for ‘agree’ is ‘sumphoneo’ to sound together, be in accord. A symphony of prayer agreement. Like the orchestra, there are many instruments playing but the purpose is to give off a sweet melody that is well-blended and harmonised.
But in recent times, this culture have died down and in some cases non-existent. People in the church today no longer have prayer partners (though some still do and they obviously know the attendant benefit to it) and everyone is running towards personal and selfish ambitions. No wonder the church of today lacks the vibrancy needed. Attendance at prayer meetings have even dropped drastically, except where there is ‘a man of God’ in town to anoint people for power and prosperity.
I say this to the shame of all of us today. We are too busy chasing after the shadows in life and ministry that we leave out the very much powerful prerequisite for getting our prayers answered. Even Jesus in His last days on earth needed people to agree with Him in prayers (Mat.26:36-45).
Even as I write to you now I have friends that we started out as prayer partners scattered all over the world who still keep in touch with me in prayers. In spite of the distance between us we still keep in prayer-touch with each other and our regular prayer chain is still sustained as I write.
It is a beautiful experience to have confidants and partners in the place of prayer and we need to go back to this old practice.
"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. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)
God has given power and authority to the Church and when we stand together in unified pray His power is released in great measure. We need to embrace this treasure all over again if we must experience the outpouring of God’s graciousness in our lives and in the lives of others.
WHAT IS PRAYER OF AGREEMENT? (Mat.18:16-20)
The prayer of agreement is: Agreeing together in prayer for God’s purposes on earth.
The Greek word for ‘agree’ is ‘sumphoneo’ to sound together, be in accord. A symphony of prayer agreement. Like the orchestra, there are many instruments playing but the purpose is to give off a sweet melody that is well-blended and harmonised.
It is a very powerful tool for getting answers from God, but it has to be in accord (i.e. the people involved must be united in purpose and be agreed) before it can generate the required power. Therefore, in getting someone to agree with you as a prayer partner or in corporate prayer there must be an agreement between you and the person. You must both be giving the right sound. This is why it is a very powerful tool for married couples. Couples who don’t pray together don’t know what they are missing!
THE POWER OF AGREEMENT
Prayer of agreement produces a melodious sound in the hears of God and brings Him quickly into a situation more than any other type of prayer in the Bible. It makes a lot of power available for those who engage in it.
The power of agreement…
1. Will bring victory (Exo.17:12)
Israel defeated Amalek while Moses held up the rod of God in his hand. Moses needed help holding up his hands because they became so heavy. Aaron and Hur supported his hands and caused them to be steady to defeat Amalek. This was a kind of power-agreement for victory.
2. Will bring anointing and blessing (Ps.133:1-3)
David compares living in unity (agreement) to anointing oil and the dew on Mount Hermon. Both signify the cleansing and blessing of God. Out of agreement God commands a blessing and causes His anointing to flow freely.
3. Will help us make the right decision (Acts 1:24)
The 120 prayed together and asked the Lord to show them who He has chosen to join the apostles. Praying with a group or even one other person is a powerful way to make right decisions.
4. Will bring the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-2)
On the Day of Pentecost they all prayed with one accord (in agreement) and the Holy Spirit came as a mighty wind. That experience has never left the entire world the same again, just because there was agreement!
5. Will bring Jesus (Mat.18:20)
When we gather in His name and pray in agreement He is there. The place of agreement is an invitation that Jesus cannot reject.
6. Will bring freedom (Acts 12:5-11;16:25-34)
The Church prayed in agreement for Peter’s release from prison, and supernaturally he was released from the prison same night.
Paul and Silas prayed and a jailer was saved.
The Prayer of Agreement Must Also…
1. Be in conformity to the will of God (1John 5:14-15)
2. Be in faith (James 1:6-8)
3. Be in sincerity (Hebrews 10:22)
1. Will bring victory (Exo.17:12)
Israel defeated Amalek while Moses held up the rod of God in his hand. Moses needed help holding up his hands because they became so heavy. Aaron and Hur supported his hands and caused them to be steady to defeat Amalek. This was a kind of power-agreement for victory.
2. Will bring anointing and blessing (Ps.133:1-3)
David compares living in unity (agreement) to anointing oil and the dew on Mount Hermon. Both signify the cleansing and blessing of God. Out of agreement God commands a blessing and causes His anointing to flow freely.
3. Will help us make the right decision (Acts 1:24)
The 120 prayed together and asked the Lord to show them who He has chosen to join the apostles. Praying with a group or even one other person is a powerful way to make right decisions.
4. Will bring the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-2)
On the Day of Pentecost they all prayed with one accord (in agreement) and the Holy Spirit came as a mighty wind. That experience has never left the entire world the same again, just because there was agreement!
5. Will bring Jesus (Mat.18:20)
When we gather in His name and pray in agreement He is there. The place of agreement is an invitation that Jesus cannot reject.
6. Will bring freedom (Acts 12:5-11;16:25-34)
The Church prayed in agreement for Peter’s release from prison, and supernaturally he was released from the prison same night.
Paul and Silas prayed and a jailer was saved.
The Prayer of Agreement Must Also…
1. Be in conformity to the will of God (1John 5:14-15)
2. Be in faith (James 1:6-8)
3. Be in sincerity (Hebrews 10:22)
No comments:
Post a Comment