Yokefellows

''Again, l 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'' Matthew 18:19.

Here we find the special promise spoken by Jesus for any two believers who will agree to covenant in prayer together. Notice that Jesus says "if'' any two. There are obvious key conditions, together with the promise, that will release the power of God in this kind of prayer-commitment:

THERE IS UNITY

God has always placed particular emphasis on Christian unity - oneness both in mind and spirit (John 17:20-23; Acts 2:44-47; 4:32). Though just a small, simple step in the expression of unity, covenanting together with another Christian to believe for something opens all the possibilities of answered prayer.

Prayer-partnership provides some very real advantages:

ENCOURAGEMENT

One can generate faith in the other, and together there is encouragement to be bold and to "fight the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12).
"Two are better than one, because they have good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend will help him up . . . '' Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.
PROTECTION

The other believer can help in discernment and guidance in relation to God's will. One can check or bear witness to what the other is sensing from the Lord. Whenever anyone is willing to pray, the enemy will often try to attack him in some way, or distract him from God's will. But with two, there is another to discern the enemy's attack, and thus help.

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken" Ecclesiastes 4:12.

Just as two oxen yoked together share the burden and produce more work, so it is with yokefellows-in-prayer. And if one ox is young and untrained, it will be yoked with a more mature ox, so that the older beast will guide and train the younger. In the same way, if one prayer-partner is a young Christian who has not yet had much experience in finding the mind of the Lord in prayer, the older Christian can help train him and steer him as they pray together.

THERE IS AGREEMENT

" . . . if two of you on earth AGREE . . . ''

This means that the two people must be in complete harmony. In prayer and worship, God always stresses the importance of people having their relationships with others in right order (Matthew 5:23-24).

The two must agree that what they are bringing to God in prayer is in line with His will (1 John 5:14-15). In this the Holy Spirit helps also.

" . . . We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, BECAUSE THE SPIRIT INTERCEDES FOR THE SAINTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH GOD'S WILL" Romans 8:26-27.

THERE IS UNLIMITED SCOPE

" . . . if two . . . agree about ANYTHING you ask for . . . "

There obviously must be agreement about all that is brought to the Lord in prayer together, but in this phrase the Lord indicates the vastness and scope of the invitation. ANYTHING! That includes the needs as well as the aspirations of life. Nothing is too small and nothing is too great (Mark 9:23).

THERE IS ACTION

'' . . . about anything you ASK for . . . ''

James 4:2 says: "You do not have because you do not ask God". It would appear from this statement that not enough people actually get around to ''asking" in prayer. When we begin to understand the magnitude of the authority that's been placed at our disposal, we can put that authority into action, and ASK! (see John 14:14).

THERE IS THE ANSWER

What happens when two praying Christians agree together? Jesus said: "It will be done for you by my Father in heaven".

"And it shall come to pass that before they call, l will answer; and while they are yet speaking I will hear" Isaiah 65:24 (KJV).

PRACTICAL PRAYER-PARTNERSHIP

There is nothing better to improve a relationship between two people than if those two will pray together. A husband and wife can become prayer-partners; so can brothers and sisters, a parent and child, or two friends. The partnership can even be extended to include three or more yokefellows, as long as each is in relationship and agreement with the others. A whole family can form a prayer-partnership together. "Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, together make a symphony) about - anything and everything - whatever they shall ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven. FOR WHEREVER TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED (drawn together as My followers) IN (into) MY NAME, there I AM in the midst of them [Exodus 3:14]" Matthew 18:19-20 (Amp).

EXAMPLES IN THE BIBLE

The principle of yokefellows was very strong in the early Church, not just in prayer, but in ministry as well. This was never a friendship to the exclusion of others, but was support in prayer and ministry, and a sharing of the burden.

The sending of the disciples (Mark 6:7-13).
Peter and John (Acts 3:1-4:23).
Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:2; 14:1).
Barnabas and Mark (Acts 15:39) .
Paul and Silas (Acts 15:40).

"About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that . . . at once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose . . . '' Acts 16:25-26.

"Now unto him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen'' Ephesians 3:20-21.

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