In this section we will talk about some of the principles of the prayer of agreement. Such a prayer can be prayed by anything from two individuals to a great crowd. It should be noted however that the necessity of true unity of heart, mind and spirit required for its proper exercise makes the dynamic of such prayer more complex in larger groups.
The prayer is based upon the statements of Jesus in Matthew 18:19-20:
“Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing 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.” (Matt 18:19-20)
Such a promise is awesome in scope, and clearly does not refer to a mere agreement in word only, the agreement must be deeper than that to yield the promised results.
“The word “agree” in Matthew 18:19 not only carries the meaning of being in one accord, but goes further;
Strong’s #G4856 sumphõneõ – soom-fo-neh’-o from Strong’s #G4859; to be harmonious, agree (together, with). The word sumphõneõ is the root of our modern English word, symphony. Symphony carries the meaning of “harmony of sound” such as one would experience when a Symphony Orchestra plays a symphony of music or symphonic musical composition.On their own, each individual musical instrument may make a wonderful sound, however, when all the instruments play or symphonize together, they form one beautiful harmonious sound carrying with it much deeper emotion and meaning.The same happens when we agree or symphonize together in corporate prayer. When we all pray together at the same time for the same thing, the power of the Holy Spirit is released in a much greater way, bringing swift breakthroughs and answers to prayer.” Jan van Rooyen http://www.intercession.addr.com/teaching/002_prayer_intercession.htm
When people agree on earth concerning anything, power is released in the heavenly realm. This principle is revealed even from the early chapters of Genesis (Genesis 11:1-7). This spiritual principle can be actively applied in prayer as we, with pure hearts and consciences, come together to approach God and to establish His will in the earth.
Agreement must be made:
- There must be agreement with the mind of God
It is fruitless and foolish to ask anything of God that is not His will, or ask from wrong motives which, if answered, would bring shame to the name of Christ. Such agreements can be made with a multitude, yet the request could never be granted. Mere human will power of desire is not enough to move the hand of God. Faith, arising from convictions arising from the known will of God, engages heaven’s resource. (James 4:2-4; 1John 5:14-15). Charles Finney goes into great detail concerning this area of agreement, as well as the other dynamics in his ‘Lectures on Revival’
(LECTURE XVI. – THE NECESSITY AND EFFECT OF UNION. View online at http://www.whatsaiththescripture.com/Voice/Revival.Lectures.html) - There must be agreement within ourselves
If we are double-minded we will receive nothing from the Lord (James 1:6-7). We must be in settled agreement that the request we are making is indeed a legitimate request based upon the will and Word of God, otherwise our own spirit and soul would be contra wise and no power could be released. A searching of the motives for the request being made should also be made, so that there is no thought or intent of the heart that is seeking its own will and pleasure rather than that of God. If we are thoroughly convinced that our request is pure and undeniably the will of God, we have solid grounds to approach others to join us in our supplication, and be willing subsequently to act as if the request has been granted until we see the manifestation. - There must be agreement with the one(s) with whom we pray
This agreement must of necessity include the above stipulations in the one(s) with whom we agree in prayer. We must all be equally convinced of the will of God in respect to our request, and the corporate unity and sanctification of our hearts before God. Wesley Duewel in ‘Mighty Prevailing Prayer’ lists the following areas that must be agreed upon for successful results. Participants must agree the following:
i. Agree in the assessment of the need
ii. Agree in deep hunger for God’s answer
iii. Agree in giving God full liberty to work (His timing, method etc)
iv. Come into agreement in God’s will in the matter
v. Agree in claiming the appropriate promise
vi. Agree in holy determination to see God’s answer realised.
vii. Agree in steps of obedience
viii. Agree in giving God all the glory
Some needs are simple, and this kind of prayer can be applied in conjunction with the prayer of faith, adding agreement to a one off request for a definite need to met. At other times the agreement may require engaging in a prayer warfare together over a period of time, and through the exercise of many kinds of prayer and steps of obedience to secure the expected results. Prayer for national revival would be an example of this.
Praying the Prayer of Agreement
Once the agreement has been firmly made by those involved in the prayer of agreement, the steps to exercise this kind of prayer are simple:
- Rehearse as a group before God the promises from Scripture that have been agreed upon by the group, and which form the basis for confidence that God must answer.
- The clear, concise and accurate presentation of the request should then be made and agreed upon before God by all involved.
- A resulting reception of the answer by faith should then be entered into, with thanksgiving and praise. Any steps of obedience resulting from the exercise of the prayer, or as a result of the leading of the Holy Spirit as He responds to the group’s request, should be promptly obeyed by all involved.
