Sweetest Symphony

Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst. - Matthew 18:19-20

Today I want to talk about the opposite of a private prayer life: public, communal prayer. A whole lot of people, I'm sure, feel perfectly comfortable - or at least more comfortable - praying by themselves in a quiet room. Fewer people ever feel willing or excited to pray out loud in a circle of praying people. But this verse seems to make that discomfort a serious problem: it draws a connection between agreement in communal prayer and answers from God. Jesus basically sets up a promise or formula of sorts: If two or more Christians gather in Christ's name, then He will be present with them, and then God the Father will fulfill their prayers that they agree on. The statement is stunningly direct and forthright. But why would God commit Himself to such a position?

The key, I think, is in that word "agree". In the Greek it's sumphoneo, from which we derive the word symphony. This kind of agreement is no small task - think about what goes into a successful symphony. There has to be a group of instrumentalists playing different instruments, hence the "two or three" people. Next those instruments have to agree upon a song to play, presented here as "gathered in My name" with the purpose to pray. The instruments have to be tuned, meaning the praying people need to be in a good place with God, walking and growing in Him (Ps. 66:18). The instrumentalists must, of course, know how to play the piece - fortunately for us the Holy Spirit helps us when we don't know how to pray (Rom. 8:26). Finally, the instruments need a conductor who will guide them and keep the tempo of the piece - the beauty of Christ coming into our presence as we pray collectively.

A violin solo can haunt the soul and move us quite powerfully. But the sounds and power of a full orchestra playing a symphony cannot be matched in its power to move us, and this ought to be the image in our heads when we gather to pray together. We are playing a symphony for the most High King! If we are conscious of our role in the activity, God promises us powerful results.

Next time you're with a small group of believers, think about these words, and try playing a symphony for God with your prayer time. I firmly believe that your mindset will greatly affect your passion and focus in the time and you'll never want to stop praying ever again!