The word agree Jesus uses in Matthew 18:19 can also be translated “to harmonize or to make a symphony.” A symphony is composed of many instruments which, when played together, seem to be a single voice. If you’ve ever heard a symphony, you know that when the individual instruments are tuning up, each one playing separately from the other, it’s not much to hear. But when the conductor raises his baton and all those instruments begin to harmonize, the sound they make is tremendously powerful. The same thing is true in prayer. Believers agreeing together in the Holy Spirit are a powerful, unstoppable force. That’s why Satan fights Christian families. That’s why he doesn’t want men and women unified in marriage. He wants us fighting and fussing all the time because he knows it will hinder our prayers (1 Peter 3:7). Anytime you fail to get results from the prayer of agreement, run a harmony check. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you if you’re in strife with your spouse (or anyone else). Then follow the instructions in Mark 11:25 where Jesus tells us, “When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you.” It is not sufficient for you and your spouse simply to agree on the particular issue you are praying about. You must also be in harmony in other areas as well. So run a harmony check!

: 1 Peter 3:7-12

© 1999 Kenneth Copeland Ministries. All rights reserved.