Matthew 6:14: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
In order for our prayers to be answered we must realize the great importance of unity. The devil does all he can to hinder our prayers. First of all, he tries every trick in the book to stop us from praying. Then, if he can’t stop us praying, he tries to find a way to hinder our prayers from being answered.
One of his strategies is to get us into disunity with one another. Disunity pours buckets of cold water on our prayers, no matter how artfully they may be crafted, how fervently they may be spoken, or how long they may be said.
Effective prayer must be in the spirit of agreement. Jesus says in Matthew 18:19 states: “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” However, this powerful statement concerning united agreement in prayer must be seen in the context of the preceding verses (v. 15-17) where everything possible is done to restore broken fellowship with anyone and everyone who has trespassed against us.
In Matthew 5:21-26 Jesus speaks very strongly against all who angrily speak hatred and unloving words against their brothers and sisters in the Lord. Verse 24 exhorts us: “Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; FIRST be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”
We must earnestly make things right between each other before expecting God to accept our prayers, praises, or anything we seek to offer Him.
To be continued.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell