Younity - The Power Of United Prayer (Part 2)- 01/16/2022
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January 16, 2022
10 Days Consecration Culminates
The spirit of consecration continues . . .
The Power of United Prayer
Matthew 18: 19 & 20
NKJV
19
“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. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My
name, I am there in the midst of them.”
NLT
19
“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. 20 For where
two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
START Here . . .
This morning, in keeping with our 10 Days of Consecration journey, I
want to tie together the priority and importance of prayer with GP’s
2022 theme of UNITY. So, I want to talk with us from a message
entitled:
The Power of United Prayer . . . that’s unity in prayer … The Power
of United Prayer
For the past 10 Days, plus today, we have been engaged in a time of
intimate prayer, Scripture study, and consecration. Ten courageous and
used-of-God facilitators have led us on a journey of refreshing and
dedication that has served to unite us by the power of prayer.
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Today, we’ll take a look at a familiar verse of Scripture where Jesus
taught His followers about unity and prayer and how powerful they are
when in harmony with each other.
Turn with me to Matthew18: 19 & 20 NKJV
It reads:
“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. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My
name, I am there in the midst of them.”
19
In these two verses our Lord gives us a picture of what united prayer
looks like. In simple, it is when when two or three of His children pray
together and agree in His name outside of their own private time of
prayer.
One of the first lessons Jesus taught His followers on the practice of
prayer was not to pray in public. He instructed them to go into their
closet alone with the Father.
In Matthew 6: 5 & 6
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they
love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the
streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they
have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and
when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the
secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward
you openly.
5
This reflects the meaning of personal, private prayer, that is individual
communion and communication with God.
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In today’s message, our Lord gives us a second lesson: That lesson is
that, under the right conditions . . . We also need public, united
prayer.
What does united prayer mean?
It means the Lord gives us a very special promise for the united prayer
of two or three gathered in His name who agree on what they ask of Him
or need from Him.
Think of like a tree. Just as a tree has its roots hidden in the ground and
its stem growing up into the sunlight, so prayer needs secrecy in which
the soul meets God alone and it also needs public fellowship with those
who find their common meeting place in the name of Jesus Christ.
“United Prayer” is an important part of God’s design for how His
children should pray. Although we pray to God one-on-one most
commonly – it is God’s desire and design that we take time to pray
together. And how? in groups, namely: as family units, husbands and
wives, prayer partners, church families, men’s groups, Sister’s groups,
intercessors, with co-workers, neighbors and on and on.
Bottom line, God wants to get in the midst of us, and the way He does it
is through prayer when we gather in groups – [touching and agreeing] so
He can manifest His power. By gathering together in His name, we are
giving Him permission to come in. It is in the union and fellowship of
groups and small gatherings of believers that the Spirit manifests His full
power.
Now, I want to point out three elements of true, united prayer that are
given to us in the words spoken by Jesus in Matthew18: 19 & 20.
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Just to reiterate He said:
“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. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My
name, I am there in the midst of them.”
19
Here are the Three Elements of United Prayer:
The FIRST Element of United Prayer is: AGREEMENT – agreement as
to the thing asked of the Lord!
Jesus said in verse 19: “if two of you agree on earth concerning
anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in
heaven. The key is to Be specific and be in total agreement with each
person involved in the prayer regarding what is being asked for.
It is not enough to generally or passively agree on a thing. The object or
thing prayed for by two or three [or more] believers must be specific and
the desire for it must be united. [Declare or state in advance. Be
intentional]
In such agreement, exactly what is being asked for becomes clear. Once
it is clear to all who are involved in the prayer, then they can determine
whether they can confidently ask for it according to God’s will, and
whether they are ready to believe that they have received it.
The SECOND Element of United Prayer is “Name of Jesus Christ” [In
His Name . . . Not Buddha, Krishna, or Mohammad . . .]
This second element is the gathering in the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus
said in verse 20a “20 For where two or three are gathered together in
My name”.
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Here our Lord teaches us that His name must be at the center and the
bond of the union that makes the praying disciples one, just as a home
contains and unites all who are in it. Proverbs 18:10 says: “The name
of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run in to it and are safe.”
The name of Jesus Christ is so powerful and such a reality to those who
understand and believe in it, that to meet within it is to have Him
present. Jesus is powerfully attracted by the love and unity of His
children: He said in Matthew 18:20: “where two of three come
together in my name, there am I with them”.
The presence of Jesus, alive in the fellowship of His loving, praying
family of believers gives united prayer its power.
The THIRD Element of United Prayer is “The Certain Answer”
That certain answer is: “It Will be Done for You by My Father in
Heaven.” Matt 18:19b
In general, the essence of this verse is not talking about Tuesday or
Wednesday night prayer meeting. It is getting at something more
intimate and intentional.
Although a prayer meeting for maintaining religious fellowship, or for
our own edification, definitely has its use, this verse, this Element was
not the Savior’s reason for recommending it. He meant it as a means of
securing special answer to prayer.
That special answer is to be found in the strength and help of our
brothers and sisters. When we feel weak or inadequate in our faith in
that moment of praying for a distinct desire, that’s when we should seek
strength and support to help from one another.
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In the unity of faith, love, and of the Spirit – the power of the name and
the presence of Christ act more freely, and the answer comes more
surely.
The evidence that there has been true, united prayer is the fruit -- the
answer, the receiving of the thing asked for. As Jesus emphatically said:
“I tell you . . . it will be done for you by My Father in Heaven”.
What and extraordinary privilege united prayer is. What a potential it
has.
It is ours for the engagement. Who can say what blessing might be
gained if a renewed commitment to united prayer were revived in our
lives and in our circles.
Consider what might be gained:
• If a believing husband and wife knew they were joined together in
the name of Jesus to experience His presence and power n united
prayer.
• If families were committed to making prayer central in all their
plans, and goings and comings.
• If friends were aware of the mighty help two or three praying in
harmony and agreement could give each other.
• If in every prayer meeting, as it was in MOTAP, the coming
together in His name in faith in His presence, and the expectation
of the answer were the prominent elements;
• If every church, united, effective, prayer was regarded as one of
the chief purposes for which they are banded together.
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• Finally, if in the universal Body of Christ Church – the coming of
the kingdom and of the King Himself were really a matter of
unceasing, united crying to God.
The Power of United Prayer
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