For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. Matt 18:20 (NKJV)
The verses both before and after Matt 18:20 speak about forgiveness. If there is anything that would bring separation between people it would be unforgiveness. We are brought together with Christ by His forgiveness of our sins. Imagine if God did not extend forgiveness to us… There would be no relationship. In between these verses on forgiveness, we see a verse about gathering together.
I have heard this verse prayed and quoted and used as a kind-of prayer chant over the years. Like a secret prayer weapon – ‘if we want to see something happen, get a couple of people together and pray…' I agree – prayer is awesome and praying with others is awesome, but the heart of this verse isn’t a mathematical equation: more people praying, more powerful prayer… It's about unity, community, togetherness, agreement, shoulder to shoulder. “No man is an island”… Yet we live alone in so many aspects of our lives. Not sharing who we really are with people – our hopes and dreams, concerns and fears. We try to get by and make it on our own, without help.
Ecc 4:9-12 (paraphrased) says “Two are better than one… For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls for he has no one to help him up… Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” It's the power of community, together, sharing, agreeing…
When we gather together and live in unity with one another under the banner of Christ’s love, we reflect the heart of God and he can’t help but be involved. Don’t do life alone. We were designed and created for relationship. Community. After all, when you strip everything away – jobs, bank accounts, achievements, failures… All we have is each other and the space between us.
So… yes, pray together, it's powerful. But do more than that… Believe together, declare God’s promises together, forgive one another, be kind, reach out, be involved in whatever way God has designed you. Don't shrink back, but gather together…
