GSN The Agreement Advantage

The Agreement Advantage - Especially for Men

Our Lord has promised to be present in a unique way when people, as few as two or three, join in prayer. Christ is not promising just to show up when we pray. He is promising special guidance and power given only when Christians gather to pray. When two people are impressed to offer the same request, Christ is telling us that, very likely, He Himself has led them to praying that way. We can be sure that God will answer such a prayer. After all, it is His request to the Father as well as ours. This is an assurance we simply cannot have by praying alone.

Other reasons why praying with other individuals is important:

• To bear one another's burdens (Gal 6:2). As you pray, God may give you new insight in how to help further. As talented as we may be, and as much insight as we may have, we still need to submit our abilities to His will and timing in purposeful prayer.

• To build commitment. As people pray for one another, God knits their hearts together. Paul wrote about Epaphras: "He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured" (Col 4:12).

• To encourage one another's faith. The Bible reminds us that life is not a solo expedition: "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together . . . but let us encourage one another" (Heb 10:24–25). There is nothing like praying with other men to give each of us real encouragement. We spiritually stimulate each other's faith. We are emotionally fed by the knowledge that others care about the things we are facing.

• To support in temptation. Whenever I acknowledge a problem to others, I am often surprised to find that several of them have been wrestling with something similar. Paul's words remind us, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Cor. 10:13). One of the ways of escape God has designed is a group of praying men who understand the problem.