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

This amazing promise from Jesus is quoted fairly often, but with very little understanding, I think. In the first place, we have a very shallow concept of what “in Jesus’ Name” means. It’s not at all just a matter of tacking words onto a prayer, it’s living, acting, and speaking in harmony with who Jesus is. It is true that there are degrees of that, and no one is perfect on this earth, but I dare say that there are church meetings where Jesus isn’t present at all, however much His Name might be mentioned. At the same time, two or three people might get together informally but simply out of a love for each other that springs from their common love of Christ, and He is there in glory. The flip side of that is that when we aren’t focused on Him we often aren’t aware of His presence, even when He is there. Two people might be sitting next to each other at the same meeting and one be having sweet fellowship with the Lord and the other wondering when that interminable meeting is ever going to be over. It is only when we progress to the point of true fellowship in Christ, with the Lord and with each other, that the unity mentioned in verse 19 is possible. Lots of people try to claim verse 19 as a blank check, so to speak, without seeking the unity that it explicitly requires. God is not stingy, but neither does He give us what we’re not ready for. This goes back to what Jesus said so famously in Matthew 6:33, that when our priorities are right, we have absolutely nothing to worry about.

I can’t say that I’ve experienced this very often, but I have a strong feeling it’s something the Lord wants me to walk in much more frequently. When the Lord has given us John 14:12 as our verse for the year, this is bound to be part of it. I have experienced a time of fellowship with the Lord so sweet that He told me to ask for anything, and the salvation of a particular individual was all that came to mind. I asked, and they were indeed saved shortly after. However, the unity spoken of here is something I’m not sure I have experienced, and I certainly want to. I’ve been in meetings, small and large, where the presence of the Lord was palpable, but I don’t remember asking for things in unity in those meetings. I need to seek the Lord’s appointments for such meetings, to ask in harmony with His Name so that His kingdom may be established on this earth, for His glory.

Father, this is heady stuff. I’ve desired breakthrough in this nation, as did my parents before me, and I believe You are saying the time is upon us. You are allowing circumstances around the world that are causing Your Church to wake up. May we indeed arise and shine, reflecting Your glory, so that Your Name may be hallowed as Your kingdom comes and Your will is done. Thank You. Hallelujah!