By Rod Masteller, President Louisiana Baptist Convention
The most powerful force on earth is united prayer.
[img_assist|nid=6139|title=Dr. Rod Masteller Louisiana Baptist Convention President|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=61|height=100]Matthew 18:19 (NIV) says that where there is agreement, God will move. “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.” He will give us what we ask for. Across the state there are thousands, perhaps even millions of people who could be saved if Louisiana Baptists came together in great unity of prayer.
In this same chapter, in verses 15-17 (NIV), Jesus teaches that before there can be unity in prayer and answered prayer, there must be reconciliation with our brothers. “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
In this passage Jesus also teaches that if a brother sins against us, we should go to him, not to win an argument, but to win a brother. We need to be honest, loving and determined to make things right. In other words, we must say in our hearts, I WILL GO by the Holy Spirit and make things right. If he doesn’t listen, then we take someone with us.
I truly believe that one of the main reasons that God isn’t powerfully moving among us is because we have grudges or aught against our brothers. I am convinced if we obey Matthew 18:15-17, verses 18-19 cannot become a reality.
I believe very strongly that if we as pastors and we as leaders of our churches make things right with each other, there could be real united prayer – and therefore, true revival. If we do this, we could see miracles take place with thousands of people being saved and becoming disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Bible says in Acts 12:5 (NIV) “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” God released the chains from Peter and opened the doors and set him free. Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) says, Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.“ When we cry out to God boldly, with confidence, for His grace and mercy, He will come through.
I pray that this year, 2010, would be a year that we are able to pray together with great unity and great power because we have made things right with each other. We must want Him and His power on us more than we want our own way.
My prayer is that we will apply the truths of Matthew 18 to our own personal lives, in our families, in our churches and in our state convention. May a genuine, powerful movement of God take place with Louisiana Baptists.