agreeing with God for the sake of another

Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

Matthew 18:19

Who are the “two of you” in this statement by Jesus? In context, they are disciples, followers of Jesus. Understanding the discourse in which this statement is made is very important. It is not a blanket statement about generic prayer. Jesus has given His followers authority to discipline, encourage, and rebuke sin amongst each other in order to resolve conflicts and settle disagreements. It is a weighty matter, but the goal is always to achieve unity among the body of believers and to win back an errant brother or sister in restoration of relationship (Matthew 18:15). In that process it might become necessary for two or three concerned believers to lovingly confont, filled with clarity and conviction, the person who sins. In context these two are in mind when it comes to this statement about prayer.

What do the “two” agree upon? Again, the context keeps theirs agreement on a matter of a sin-split relationship. The two agree on either an offense that is being ignored after caring conversation, or they agree that repentance and restoration have taken place. That agreement leads them to ask of God in prayer for the situation.

What does God promise to do? He promises to answer the prayer, either to draw an offending brother or sister to peace, to punish a calloused rejection, or to bless a repentant child of His with unity, love, and restorative grace. It appears that follow-up prayer like this is a necessary step in what is often called “church discipline”. The occasion to go to someone in this way is meant to draw believers together as they seek God’s will, restore a broken relationship, and plead for the gospel to do good work. All of this rests on the forgiveness found only in the gospel. And in answering prayers of such agreement, God gets the glory. Not only then do we agree with each other, but most importantly, we agree with God when we turn it all to Him.