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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 18:19 - 18:20
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_18:19-20
19"Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. 20For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."
Mat_18:19 "if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask" This is a third class conditional sentence, which meant potential future action. The context relates this promise to church discipline and our treatment of other believers.
Mat_18:19 This verse must be taken in the context of God's will being revealed by the Spirit from Mat_18:18. Believers are only promised answers under certain spiritual circumstances. The worst thing that could happen to most modern believers is that God answer their selfish, materialistic prayers.
The Bible presents a paradoxical view on prayer. Some passages speak of its unlimited scope and promise of answers (cf. Mat_18:19; Joh_14:13-14; Joh_15:7; Joh_15:16; Joh_16:23). Other passages speak of prayer being limited by
1. our persistence (cf. Mat_7:7-8; Luk_11:5-13; Luk_18:1-8)
2. our attitude (cf. Mat_21:22; Mar_11:23-24; Luk_18:9-14; Jas_1:6-7; Jas_4:1-10)
3. the will of God (cf. 1Jn_3:22; 1Jn_5:14-15)
Theologically believers agree that
1. God is affected by His children's prayers
2. the greatest gift is not the answer but the fellowship with the Father
3. all prayer is answered
4. prayer does change our lives and the lives of those we pray for
However, when all is said and done, there is still "mystery" in prayer. It is best summed up by the truth that God has chosen in His sovereignty to limit Himself to the prayers of His children. We have not because we asked not or asked amiss.
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Mat_18:20 The number mentioned is the same as Mat_18:16. This could be a husband and wife (family setting) or two or more believers (worship or disciple setting). However, it may be implied (i.e., an application) that when believers meet to pray Jesus is there (i.e., Mat_28:20)!
▣ "in My name" See Special Topic following.
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