Recently at a meeting, we had a time of prayer for those who had physical needs for healing as well as other needs. Suddenly, the Spirit of God impressed me that if we were going to pray in Jesus’ name we needed to learn what the prayer of agreement was. I was struck with the idea that all too often we try to get Jesus to agree with what we want to accomplish in prayer and all too seldom ask him what he wants to accomplish. Seeing that two cannot walk together unless they agree, learning what a prayer of agreement was became of paramount importance.

Many times, we never really evaluate, in the light of Scripture, our spiritual traditions or orthodox understandings passed on by others. We simply accept these ideals as gospel and never take the time too truly understand them or probe for their deeper meaning. Such is the case when it comes to agreement in prayer for many of us. As a result, we wonder why someone was not healed or we did not seem to receive our answer to prayer. 

The problem just might be that we were never in agreement with Jesus at all. I believe that when we pray for something in the name of Jesus the Spirit of God cannot do anything that contradicts who Jesus is. Let me give you an example of what I mean. Early in my Christian life, I served in the healing room of a big meeting in Washington, DC. The healing evangelist would explain that there was a difference between a healing and a miracle. His definition left much to be desired and always troubled me. He would say that a miracle was an instant healing and a healing might not be seen for some time never the less we needed to claim our healing and wait patiently for the manifestation.

However, when I look at Scripture I see nothing like that. When Jesus prayed people were healed instantly and a miracle was changing water into wine or walking on water. My point is, the Spirit of God will not and cannot contradict the person of Jesus. He is the same yesterday, today and forever! The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. We seem to be able to rationalize or fabricate interpretations of Scripture that explain why our ministries are not like his. 

I have been a Christian since 1972 and in that time, I believe I have actually prayed a prayer of agreement four or five times. Once at a meeting praying for people in a line for healing, I passed by a blind man. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit told me to go back to the man, take the bottle of anointing oil out of my pocket, anoint the man’s eyes with the oil and say, “In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, receive your sight!” Immediately, the man received his sight and there was great excitement to say the least. 

Once, a similar event took place when I was in Washington, DC. I saw a man on a bicycle get run down by a truck. The paramedics had pronounced him dead. The Holy Spirit spoke to me just as he had done before a told me to go stand in the middle of the crowd that had gathered and to pray for the man to come back to life. I did and immediately he started breathing and regained his heartbeat. When I asked him if he knew Jesus had brought him back from the dead he said yes and gave his life to Jesus.

I have experienced a few more times like the accounts listed above and I believe that is what it means to pray in agreement with Jesus. We simply do what he says when he says exactly as he says and we see immediate results. He is the boss not me. I share in his ministry he does not share in mine. When I agree with whom he is that translates into agreeing prayer. I have been spoiled for anything less. I do not want any other kind of prayer in my life again. 

The issue is how to walk with Jesus in such a way that we can actually live this kind of life. The key is so simple yet difficult to maintain in the culture we live in today. We must free ourselves of the daily distractions that vie for our full attentions and cultivate a lifestyle of sincere devotion to Jesus. I believe that is why the example of a marriage union is used to describe the relationship that should exist between Christ and his church—the bride. No wonder Satan has so aggressively attacked the estate of holy matrimony.

I certainly do not have the exhaustive solution, but I know there is a “more excellent way” than the way we live today. Making excuses for why we do not see results is a poor trade off for a life of devotion to Jesus. My personal prayer is, “Jesus let me love you again with the love we shared when we first met.” Let me walk in agreement with you every minute of every day, no more lukewarm lifestyle for me, please! AMEN.