In this recycled era of 'anything goes' because 'it's all a blur' temporary trends have remained a constant.. even (and perhaps especially) among ministries.. trends viewed in retrospect however are often disturbing to those who once partook.. 'I can't believe I ever wore.. bellbottoms.. platforms.. black eyeliner.. jelly shoes..' etc.

One of the disturbing trends currently circulating through ministries involves a line in Matthew 18:19 which states '..if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven'.

This line is used often in prayers for others in a way that indicates to the person for whom the prayer is being said that 'I'm praying for you - and you and I both agree that you should have that financial breakthrough.. new car.. better job.. etc. therefore our Father will definitely provide it to you'.

That may be a nice thought with good intentions and probably goes over well on 24-hour prayer lines.. but what exactly is the case - who exactly are the 'two' in agreement.. and what exactly about their agreement constitutes the will of our Father in Heaven?

Examining the line in context..

19: 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.

20: For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

It's important to note here that Yahushua is addressing His disciples.. people who believed on Him.. people 'gathered together in His name'. One could say '..if two [gathered together in Yahushua's name] agree on earth.. it shall be done..'

But there is a strong indication from ministries these days that essentially any 'two people' can agree on earth concerning anything they ask.. and therefore guarantee it will be delivered to them.

It is an idea that utilizes scripture but changes the intended meaning.. and it comes off sounding more like an occult incantation than it does a humbled supplication.. hence of course its popularity.

One might argue that it only applies if the two doing the asking are gathered together in Messiah's name.. for example one believer and one non-believer can assemble but the request wouldn't be granted because there is only one believer doing the asking.. but we know from Matthew 6:6 that this is not the case..

'..when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.'

We know our Father in Heaven has rewarded us openly many times for those prayers we have asked of Him by ourselves in secret.

So then.. who are the 'two' in 19.. and who are the 'two or three' in verse 20.. and why is Yahushua making plurality an issue when we know that even our individual silent prayers to the Father in Him are answered?

The simple answer is that the first person in all three equations must be the Holy Spirit.

'But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send(1) in My name(2), He(3) shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you(4).' John 14:26

We see in this verse 4 basic things..
1: The Holy Spirit is sent from our Father in Heaven
2: The Holy Spirit is sent in Yahushua's name
3: The Holy Spirit is referred to as 'He'
4: The Holy Spirit confirms Yahushua

The Holy Spirit is commonly known as a 'person'.. and regarded as one in scripture.. an example being that the Holy Spirit can and has been 'grieved'..
Isaiah 63:10 '..they rebelled, and vexed His Holy Spirit'
'vexed' in this verse is the Hebrew 'atsab' which means 'grieved'.
Ephesians 4:30 '..grieve not the Holy Spirit of Yahuwah'

The Holy Spirit also dwells within His believers:
Isaiah 63:11 '..where is He that put His Holy Spirit within them?'
Luke 11:13 '..how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?'

The Holy Spirit is the person abiding in each believer on Yahushua.. It is specifically Yahuwah's Holy Spirit which He has given to those who are His in Messiah.. 1Thessalonians 4:8 '..Yahuwah, who has also given us His Holy Spirit'

It is Yahuwah's own Holy Spirit and therefore is only in complete agreement with Him.. the same way Yahushua 'the express image' [Hebrews 1:3] of Yahuwah is likewise only in complete agreement with Him..

In other words.. '..there are Three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these Three are One'. 1John 5:7

To agree with the Holy Spirit is to agree with the Father and the Word [Yahushua is the Word John 1:14].. Our individual spirit should be in agreement with His Holy Spirit.. regardless of the number of the assembly and not just when we pray but always.

The 'magic charm' idea that two people can agree on earth concerning anything they ask and it will be done for them is dangerous..

It asserts an idea that removes the Holy Spirit, and thus the Father and the Word [Yahushua], from the equation by implying that 'the two in agreement' is constituted simply by two individuals - when in fact the 'two' is comprised of the Holy Spirit + the spirit of the believer.

Ministries these days sadly are rife with prosperity doctrines.. seed-sowing.. church-planting and so much more that leaves out our Savior.. it's good to remember the promise we have been given as believers on Him '..for He has said I will never leave you, nor forsake you' and we know even when we are by ourselves we are never alone.. and that our prayers - even if solitary - which are in agreement with His Holy Spirit will certainly be given us by our Father in Heaven.

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