A few months ago I was praying with people following church service. The line for prayer had dwindled so I was going to return to my seat. Just as I was about to sit down, a man approached me and asked for prayer for his eyes. His vision was starting to get blurry and he was worried about passing his eye exam for a license. (As many of you know, I’ve seen vision restored several times since I went to Brazil and prayed with the woman who recovered sight in her right eye that had been blinded by surgery.) So when this man asked to be healed, I was fairly confident healing would happen. Following prayer, I asked if he experienced any difference and he said it was improved but not completely. After instructing him to give thanks for the measure of healing he’d received, I prayed again. However after two or three prayers, he’d still only received a measure of restoration. Hmmm. I went ahead and released him, reminding him that healing often completes as we go out in thanksgiving. Sitting down, I continued to pray for completion of his healing. Another man, came and sat down next to me and explained his back had gone out and he was in tremendous pain. Would I pray healing for him? If I am confident for restored sight, I am UBER confident for healed backs. The first encounter I ever had with healing was when God healed my back. I’ve always felt like I had a special anointing for backs. So I established his level of pain and released healing. He experienced about a 30% decrease in his pain. I encouraged him to give thanks for the measure of healing and prayed again. Any difference? Yes. His pain level was about 60% lower of where we had started. Prayer. No difference. Prayer. No difference. I gave him the same encouragement I had given the first man. I reminded him sometimes healing progresses as we go out in thanksgiving and I released him. Hmmm.
Hope versus Expectation
I can remember when I would pray in hope. What I mean is I would pray for healing and hope something would happen. If people were healed, I was usually surprised and would ask, “Really?” Now however, I have seen God heal so many people I pray in expectation. Now, I’m surprised when they don’t get healed. So following my experience with the two men and their partial healings. Don’t get me wrong! I celebrated the measure of relief they’d received but I really was surprised they had not been completely healed. All week long, I processed with the Lord as to what hindered their complete healing.
What he spoke to me surprised me (although it shouldn’t have.). He reminded me that when he sent his followers out, he sent them two by two. Not twelve especially anointed guys but six teams of two going together. He pretty much told me if I had called a member of my team over to join me in prayer, those two men would have received the full measure of healing they’d been seeking. He was reminding me of the power of agreement.
Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Matthew 18:19-20
Our prayers are powerful and effective but when there is agreement, there is a turbo charge! Honestly, I’ve seen all kinds of healing happen while praying with someone solo but I think he wanted to emphasize this dynamic for several reasons.
There’s More Than Strength In Numbers
First of all, praying as a team keeps you humble. The most dangerous part of being anointed is succumbing to the temptation of pride. It is way to easy to forget who’s really writing the check and who is just the delivery person. When there are two or more believing in faith that temptation is significantly diminished.
Second, it addresses the second most dangerous part of healing ministry and that is blaming yourself when healing doesn’t happen. When a team prays, you’re less likely to play the blame and shame game.
The third and most important I’ve already addressed and that is the promise that if we agree on anything in his name it will done for us. This is such a powerful spiritual dynamic! Agreement is like a contract in the spirit. That’s why gossip is forbidden in the Bible. Because when two people agree on the shortcomings of another, it empowers the very thing they’re condemning. This is especially important to remember right now. Thanks to Covid-19, many people have become very comfortable attending TV church in their pajamas. Our commitment threshold has been lowered significantly. Let’s face it, it costs very little to roll out of bed and switch the TV on. And because of the ease of technology, for some, worship has become more like entertainment than an encounter with God.. Even if we are completely engaged, we’ve lost the dynamic of being all in. Of being present. Of agreement. Remember Jesus didn’t send them out two by two in theory but in actuality.
As the vaccine becomes available, I want to encourage you to meet with other believers in agreement. In other words, go to church! Find a church that is speaking truth and say yes, I agree. You are necessary. Your presence makes a difference. Your are the other half of a team.
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV
Great word Pastor!!!…so needed to read this…TODAY!! You are awesomely used by God and I am so thankful and grateful that I have been blessed by your friendship. Love you!
Really good, Nancy. Jesus has always been about relationship. When two pray, in relationship, in faith, the Holy Spirit jumps right in to accomplish it. And I totally agree about attending church, rather than church online. When we are present, with others, our hearts joined in worship, He responds with His Presence. And in His Presence, our hearts are tenderized, open to the message presented and any prompting of the Holy Spirit. I truly missed church during COVID and my recovery and have embraced it these past two weeks. thanks for the encouraging word.