WONDERING GURU
Ezekiel 33: 7-9; Romans 13: 8-10; Matthew 18: 15-20
Introduction: God
tells Ezekiel in the first reading to tell the wicked man, that he may be
converted from his ways otherwise he shall die in his iniquity. St. Paul tells
us in the second reading that we should love our neighbour. In
the gospel Jesus says “if two of you shall consent upon earth, concerning
anything whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be done to them by my Father who
is in heaven. For where there are two or
three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”.
When we love our neighbour,
we often come into conflicts. We come across various types of people as our
neighbours. Sometimes we are happy other times we are angry with our
neighbours. My own family member can be
a neighbour with whom I struggle to live my Christian values and faith. So, in
this context today’s readings invite us to recognise the problem and start a
prayer crusade even with just two or three members.
John Maxwell author of
many books says "When confronting a person about a conflict issue, I have
discovered that 50% don’t realize there is a problem. 30% realize there is a
problem but don’t know how to solve it. 20% realize there is a problem but
don’t want to solve it. Notice that 80% of the time there is potential to solve
the conflict." The Bible says “Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the
sun go down on your wrath”. (Eph
4:26). “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to
him” (Prov
18:13). “Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he
will love you” (Prov 9:8). "Successful confrontation usually changes both
people, not just one" writes John Maxwell.
Christians need to manage
the conflict constructively. Matthew 5:25 says “Agree with your adversary
quickly, while you are on the way with him”. "Unsolvable conflict is
almost always because of a wrong attitude…not because of the issue" once again writes John Maxwell. So, when
Christians face difficult situations of any kind we are invited to pray even if
we are only two. Therefore, I have
themed this reflection as “Praying Partners’. It can also be themed as “Prayer
of Agreement”.
WHY THE POWER OF TWO?
Paul and Silas
demonstrated the power of two as they sang in the jail at Philippi. In
response, God sent angels to shake the foundations of that jail. Paul and Silas
walked out of the jail with the keys in one hand and the converts in the other.
They knew the power of two. Jesus sent His disciples out two by two. He gave
them the authority to bind and loose things on this earth, and if they did so,
this would be honoured in heaven through the power of two.
Two signifies: 1. Strength (Ecc. 4:12) 2.
Encouragement (Ecc. 4:10). 3. Success.
(Ecc. 4:9) 4. Defense. (Ecc. 4:11) 5. Added Faith (Mat. 18:19; Rom. 1:17;
Heb. 11:6). 6. Overcomes our limitations (I Cor. 12:21).
"Agree
together" means to have a kind of symphony. In the music world to have a
symphony you must have as someone said: A
Score = Word of God, A Conductor = The Holy Spirit and Musicians/ those who
play the music = You and Me! The Greek word "agree", is
"sumphoneo", the word from which is derived the English word,
"symphony." One of the powerful aspects of a symphony orchestra is
the way such a large number of instrumentalists work together to bring out the
composer’s work. Jesus is teaching us to likewise work together and harmonize
with other Christ followers in our prayer lives. This gives our prayers great
power. Together we achieve the work of our heavenly composer. Christ also
taught us to enter our prayer closets and pray alone. (Mat 6:6) But there are
times when we should seek out others who agree with our prayer requests and
pray with them. Praying with others fine tunes our prayers just like rehearsing
together perfects the work of the symphony.
Conclusion: 2
Chron. 7:14 reads: if my people, who are called by my name, will humble
themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will
I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (NIV).
Prayer is an awesome force. The Prayer of Agreement has the greatest potential
in our world. But for this prayer to be effective there has to be elements of
Conversion. (Mt. 18:1-3, 2 Chron. 7:14), of Humility. (Mt. 18:4, 2 Chron. 7:14)
and of Reconciliation. (Mt. 18:15-18, 2 Chron. 7:14) Only when these elements
are found together can the Prayer of Agreement be made with power.
What area of your life is under attack? Your marriage?
Your children? Your business? Your finances? Your health? Your emotions? Your
relationships? Find a prayer partner and start praying together.
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