Monday, June 24, 2024
A Wall of Prayer Warriors
“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20 NLT)
The Romans, who were great military tacticians, knew how to use their shields effectively. When they came under attack, they pulled their shields together in their ranks on the front, the side, the back, and overhead, forming a defensive box. Then they would break out and counter attack.
That is what it’s like when Christians pray together. We stand together as a wall of prayer warriors marching forward. There is power in united prayer.
Jesus gave us this promise: “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:19-20 NLT).
First, let’s understand what that doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean that two Christians can get together and decide to pray for the same thing and it will automatically happen. James warns us, “Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure” (James 4:2-3 NLT).
Sometimes we pray for things that are just not right or things that would be harmful to us. As a result, God says, “No, I’m not going to answer that prayer.” Just because two believers may agree in prayer about something, it doesn’t mean that God necessarily will answer that prayer.
The assumption of Matthew 18:19-20 is that we are in alignment with God’s will as we are praying together for something that we know God wants to do.
For example, when we pray for people to put their faith in Christ, we are praying according to the will of God. And when we pray for a spiritual awakening to sweep our nation, we are praying according to the will of God.
However, that doesn’t mean we can just claim, in Jesus’ name, that someone will come to Christ. That person still must respond to the gospel. God wants people to be saved, but He also has given us a free will. So, our prayer should be that God will open their eyes and show them their need for Jesus Christ.
The Bible tells us, “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT).
Jesus said, “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” (John 15:7 NLT).
God is not a genie who will answer every request that we offer. But God will answer our prayers if we are maintaining a living communion with Him and His Word is at home in us, because we will be praying for what God wants us to pray for.
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