The Power In Relationships

The Power in Relationships

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20

I just re-read this scripture this past weekend and saw it in a completely different light. Most of the time when I hear this scripture quoted or think about it, I think of the power of prayer with two or three people. But that is not exactly what this scripture is talking about. This actually has to do with the power that two people have to pray when their relationship is healthy and strong.

How do I know this? Jesus spent the entire portion of Matthew 18 before this trying to teach his disciples how to relate to one another as representatives of the kingdom of God. He talks about not trying to be the greatest or fight for position. He talks about not denying the children who come to him. He talks about how to resolve conflict and then after this scripture, he talks about how many times we should forgive one another. All of this has to do with relationships. It has nothing to do with simply you and a friend praying to God for stuff you want. We have to prioritize relationships over everything else and then, nothing will be impossible.

This is not inconsistent with the rest of scripture. Jesus always talks about how we are supposed to keep our relationship with God and one another in tact. This is how things really get done. Anything is possible when two people can, even in the midst of conflict, work it out and seek God. God will honor your worship of Him as the God of Reconciliation. Jesus’ whole ministry was dedicated to reconciliation. If we can figure out how to get along with each other on earth, then heaven will be open to us and nothing will be impossible.

When you have two people who have problems with one another but are in relationship, what happens? Nothing. Except things being internalized and then one day a major blow up that leads nowhere but destruction. Jesus never said that relationships would be without conflict. But he did say that when we have it, do what we can to make it right because there is more power in agreement then there is in disagreement. Even if you agree not to be in relationship the same way, there is still power in handling it with Jesus in the midst. We don’t have to be disagreeable in disagreement.

All I’m saying is that we need to recognize the power in Rodney King’s famous words, “Can’t we all just get along?” If we can figure that out then Jesus says that we can ask God for anything and He will do it. Anything. When we gather in Jesus name, it means that we gather in a reconciled state. It doesn’t mean a bunch of people who hate each other and can’t figure out how to get along praying. This has less to do with the number of people praying and more to do with the heart of those who do.