The Biblical Basis of Partnered Prayer
“I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask—in prayer—it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”
Matthew 18:19
(pg. 1 – 40 DPC Book)
Speak It! Believe It! Expect It!
Everything that exists comes from God speaking it into existence.
He spoke, “let there be light” … and there was.
He spoke, “Let us make mankind” … and He did.[1]
God began everything with the awesome power of the spoken word and He beckons you to emulate him through a magnificent gift that is delivered through your lips and the passion in your heart. His promise is in the Bible: “Whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.”[2]
Let’s look at the key words to opening your gift: first, to ask in prayer—through the power of the spoken word; second to believe God is who He says He is, and can do what He says He can do; and third, to expect to receive “whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer.”
How do you assure that your prayer reaches God’s attention?
You speak it!
When you learn to speak it, you hurtle every prayer through time and space directly to the ears of God. Like an arrow placed in the archer’s bow, when you speak it, your prayer gains trajectory and velocity to the Almighty. And when you engage with a partner to pull back on the bow string—to speak it together—the words of your prayer can move heaven and earth!
“The tongue has the power of life and death.”
Proverbs 18:21
Can’t God hear you speaking to Him from inside your head? Of course He can. But the “fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much”[3] and is best communicated to Him with passion and aloud.
The Miracles of Christ Were Spoken into Being
When Jesus looked at the two blind men and said, “Do you believe I can do this?” they replied, “Yes, Lord.”
Jesus then spoke these words, “According to your faith, let it be done.” And, the blind men were healed.[4]
When a great storm alarmed the disciples in the boat, Jesus said, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?”[5] Then He rebuked the winds and the sea … He spoke to them … and they became perfectly calm.
When Jesus came upon two violent demon-possessed men, he spoke to them, saying, “Go”![6] The demons came out, went into the swine, and perished in the sea.
Christ spoke miracles into being.
The Three Keys to Your Prayers Being Answered
The first two keys to unlocking God’s promise to you are: speaking prayer fervently, and believing that God hears your every request. But, the third key is equally essential: expecting your prayer will be answered, sometimes, before you have even finished speaking, or, before your request has come into existence.
The Ancient Scriptures of Isaiah, affirm, “before they call I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”[7]
In Romans we are assured that God “calls into existence things that don’t yet exist.”[8]
Christ confirmed those promises: “whoever … does not doubt in his heart, but believes what God says is going to happen, it will be granted him.”[9]
Therefore, how does effective prayer work? Speak it. Believe it. Expect it!
Jesus reiterates: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”[10]
[1] Gen. 1:26 NIV
[2] Matt 21:22 AKJV
[3] James 5:16 AKJV
[4] Matt 9:27-31 NIV
[5] Matthew 8:26; NASB
[6] Matthew 8:32; NASB
[7] Isaiah 65:24; KJV
[8] Romans 4:17 ISV
[9] Mark 11:23; NASB
[10] Mark 11:24 NIV
