Prayer Partners
Ezekiel 33: 7-9; Romans 13: 8-10; Matthew 18: 15-20
Fr Nelson Lobo OFM Cap
Introduction: God tells Ezekiel in the first reading to tell the wicked man, that he may be converted from his ways otherwise he shall die in his iniquity. St. Paul tells us in the second reading that we should love our neighbour. In the gospel Jesus says “if two of you shall consent upon earth, concerning anything whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done to them by my Father who is in heaven. For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”.
When we love our neighbour, we often come into conflicts. We come across various types of people as our neighbours. Sometimes we are happy other times we are angry with our neighbours. My own family member can be a neighbour with whom I struggle to live my Christian values and faith. So, in this context today’s readings invite us to recognize the problem and start a prayer crusade even with just two or three members.
John Maxwell author of many books says “When confronting a person about a conflict issue, I have discovered that 50% don’t realize there is a problem. 30% realize there is a problem but don’t know how to solve it. 20% realize there is a problem but don’t want to solve it. Notice that 80% of the time there is potential to solve the conflict.” The Bible says “Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath”. (Eph 4:26). “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him” (Prov 18:13). “Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you” (Prov 9:8). “Successful confrontation usually changes both people, not just one” writes John Maxwell.
Christians need to manage the conflict constructively. Matthew 5:25 says “Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him”. “Unsolvable conflict is almost always because of a wrong attitude…not because of the issue” once again writes John Maxwell. So, when Christians face difficult situations of any kind we are invited to pray even if we are only two. Therefore, I have themed this reflection as “Praying Partners’. It can also be themed as “Prayer of Agreement”.
WHY THE POWER OF TWO?
Paul and Silas demonstrated the power of two as they sang in the jail at Philippi. In response, God sent angels to shake the foundations of that jail. Paul and Silas walked out of the jail with the keys in one hand and the converts in the other. They knew the power of two. Jesus sent His disciples out two by two. He gave them the authority to bind and loose things on this earth, and if they did so, this would be honoured in heaven through the power of two.
Two signifies: 1. Strength (Ecc. 4:12) 2. Encouragement (Ecc. 4:10). 3. Success. (Ecc. 4:9) 4. Defense. (Ecc. 4:11) 5. Added Faith (Mat. 18:19; Rom. 1:17; Heb. 11:6). 6. Overcomes our limitations (I Cor. 12:21).
“Agree together” means to have a kind of symphony. In the music world to have a symphony you must have as someone said: A Score = Word of God, A Conductor = The Holy Spirit and Musicians/ those who play the music = You and Me! The Greek word “agree”, is “sumphoneo”, the word from which is derived the English word, “symphony.” One of the powerful aspects of a symphony orchestra is the way such a large number of instrumentalists work together to bring out the composer’s work. Jesus is teaching us to likewise work together and harmonize with other Christ followers in our prayer lives. This gives our prayers great power. Together we achieve the work of our heavenly composer. Christ also taught us to enter our prayer closets and pray alone. (Mat 6:6) But there are times when we should seek out others who agree with our prayer requests and pray with them. Praying with others fine tunes our prayers just like rehearsing together perfects the work of the symphony.
Conclusion: 2 Chron. 7:14 reads: if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (NIV). Prayer is an awesome force. The Prayer of Agreement has the greatest potential in our world. But for this prayer to be effective there has to be elements of Conversion. (Mt. 18:1-3, 2 Chron. 7:14), of Humility. (Mt. 18:4, 2 Chron. 7:14) and of Reconciliation. (Mt. 18:15-18, 2 Chron. 7:14) Only when these elements are found together can the Prayer of Agreement be made with power.
What area of your life is under attack? Your marriage? Your children? Your business? Your finances? Your health? Your emotions? Your relationships? Find a prayer partner and start praying together.
