(Matthew 18:18 KJV) Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Re-Energizing Your Prayer Life.” As we enter into the third week of this series I feel like we are still just scratching the surface. While prayer can be so rewarding, it can also be completely frustrating when you feel like your prayers are not producing any results. The Father wants us to pray, but He has not signed up to give us whatever we want, or whatever we come up with. The Father has signed up to give us whatever we ask for that lines up with His will.
Jesus taught that we, as humans, with God-given rights on this planet, would be able to exercise authority by binding (preventing) and loosing (permitting) things to happen and that God Himself would respond to whatever we bind or loose. Jesus said this in Matthew chapters 16 and 18. The traditional King James Version (KJV) of these verses are somewhat confusing. The KJV of Matthew 16:19 reads, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” The KJV of Matthew 18:18 reads, “Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” If that is all you read are these verses, without any context, then it sounds like heaven will respond to whatever we say in prayer or otherwise.
Let’s seek understanding. The Amplified translation of Matthew 18:18 says: “Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be what is already permitted in heaven.” This translation sheds more light on what Jesus was actually teaching. Jesus was not putting pressure on heaven to respond to our will, but rather on us to learn what heaven’s will already is and to pray that! We can’t force God to do something against His will. We are required to learn God’s way of doing things so we can ask for things that line up with His will. Jesus went on to say, “Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may 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” (see verses 18-20 AMP). In context, when Jesus said that heaven will respond to whatever we ask, He meant when we ask for things that are in line with God’s will.
So what does this mean to you today? Two things:
1. Praying God’s will is the key. You can never force God to do anything, especially not something that is contrary to His will. But when your prayers line up with His will you experience supernatural results.
2. We have a responsibility to bind (prevent) and loose (permit). When things are happening in your life that you don’t like, you must ask yourself the question, “Have I prayed about this?” God is not going to force His will on you. He will gladly operate in your life when You cooperate with Him. But you have the responsibility to permit and prevent things from happening with your prayers. God will back you when you pray in accordance with His will! Powerful things happen when two (or more) believers come together, in agreement, and pray the will of God. Heaven responds when believers on earth make valid requests. Stop accepting everything that happens and get heaven involved in your life today!
Closing Confession: Father, I am learning the importance of prayer. I now see why many of my past prayers were not fulfilled. I will stop simply praying my will and I will bend my will to align with Your will. As my will aligns with You will, then I can pray my will, because it will also be Your will. And when I pray in accordance with Your will, You and the angels in heaven will respond, because it will be what You want to happen in my life. I have a responsibility to bind and loose, to prevent and permit, and I will fulfill my responsibility from now on. No longer will I just accept everything that happens to my family or me. I will actively engage You and heaven to operate in my life daily! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
