Matthew 18:19-20
I promise that when any two of you on earth agree about something you are praying for, my Father in heaven will do it for you. Whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
A friend of mine posted on Facebook that her almost-five-year-old son asked, "Can you make my dream come true and get me light (up) shoes?" She laughingly said that this has been his “life-long dream” – for at least the last five minutes! Knowing this family, I have a feeling that this little boy felt fairly confident that his request would be honored… if not by his parents - surely by his GiGi and Pappy!
I’m not sure this is what Jesus meant in Matthew when he said that any time two of us agree about something we are praying for, God will deliver. We’re not ordering take-out pizza here! I believe that God will answer…according to His will…that He will do things for us as we have asked…but again, within His will and as is best for us. So we may sit with a friend or family member and pray for a new car to get us from Point A to Point B. Our basic motive may be “pure”. But while we visualize a nice SUV with all the bells and whistles…God may be picturing a second-hand jalopy! Both will get us where we need to go…but in a much different style! The child who asks for new shoes may not necessarily get the light-up variety…but his/her feet will be shod nonetheless.
Does this make sense? Do you see that we should go to God with expectations…and confidence that He will answer? But we must remember that He will always answer in our best interest! Should this stop us from coming together to pray? Should this dampen our faith? Absolutely not! In fact, it should strengthen us to think that God ALWAYS has our back…He is always working on the best possible outcome for us…and we should never stop taking our burdens, cares, and desires to Him.
The last point of this scripture passage is that any time we join together in the name of Jesus, He is with us. Surely we know that when we stop to talk to God, He hears our prayers. But do you fully realize that anytime you and another person join together to do anything in the name of Jesus…whether it be a mission project, singing a song in worship and praise, discussing a Bible passage, lifting a prayer, and so much more…He is right there with you?
I’m emphasizing this verse, because I believe we underestimate the power of encouraging one another…and in doing so, we miss countless “holy moments”. I do not think we fully realize that to hug someone else and tell them how much they mean to you brings Jesus into the equation. To send another person a prayer via e-mail or text – or to encourage them over the phone or in person – invites Jesus into the group…and He stands there with you both. So many moments of interaction between two people are holy, and we don’t even recognize it. We underestimate God’s power to work in and through us to meet the needs of others, according to His will…to make a difference in their lives – and in our own.
Let’s not miss out on what God has in store for us! Let’s look for opportunities to “gather together in His name” and agree for whatever is needed…and whatever God desires for each of us. Let’s be aware that God is ready, willing, and able to bless us and meet our every need…and He is waiting for us to be the vessel to convey this message to others. You may not get light-up shoes, but I assure you…God has more blessings in store for you than you can begin to count!
What are you waiting for? Have you shared a “holy moment” with someone today?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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