“If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven” (Matt. 18:19 NKJ).
In giving us this promise of answered prayer, Jesus used a musical term. In the original Greek the word translated agree is sumphoneo (soom-fo-neh’-o). It is a compound word. Sum means “with” or “together.” Phoneo is a form of the word phone meaning “sound.”
So sum-phoneo means “to sound together.” It is from this compound word that we get our word symphony. Imagine how symphonic prayer must sound in heaven! Prayers of agreement are melodic. Praying without agreement produces disharmony and discord.
Jesus is encouraging not only the blending of voices, but the harmonizing of wills, hearts, souls, and minds. It is an accomplishment to bring people together to worship the Lord. It is an even greater achievement to get them to sit in silence and receive instruction. The ultimate in church harmony is for everyone to agree or harmonize in prayer and praise.
This verse is the great equalizer. Leaders and followers can agree. New converts and old veteran saints can blend. Rich and poor, educated and uneducated, conspicuous and inconspicuous believers can all pray together in unity, harmony and symphony.
What a joy to know that agreeing in prayer brings desired results. For the sake of answered prayer, we need to set aside personal preferences and harmoniously blend our prayers with others. The symphony of sound moves heaven to action for all of us.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.