Two or Three Agreeing In Prayer

“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19)

This verse is not to be understood in isolation. Alone it has been broadly misunderstood to mean all one has to do is get someone to agree on a topic of prayer and God has obligated Himself to fulfill the request. It must be applied in the context of the several conditions for prayer.

For example, all prayers must be in accord with James 5:16 which states, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

 Following are things that keep prayers from being effectual and are unanswered.

*Selfishness
“You ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:3).

*Carnality

*Failure to exercise faith.
“Whatever you ask in prayer believing, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22).
”If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18).

*Lack of Compassion
“Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard” (Proverbs 21:12).

*Lack of Domestic Tranquility
“Likewise you husbands, dwell with them with understanding, give honor to your wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered” (I Peter 3:7c).

*Pride
“They cry out, but He does not answer, because of the pride of evil men” (Job 35:12-13).
“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

*Lack of Obedience
“Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (I John 3:22).

*Failure to be in Fellowship
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18).

*Failure to Comply With God’s Will
“If we ask anything according to His will He hears us” (I John 5:14-15).

It is important to know every reason for God not answering prayer affirmatively is on our end of the line. Don’t accuse Him of failure.

You might find it helpful to keep this list and check your prayer life by it occasionally.