Prayer by the Numbers - "Two" Stands for the Power of Partnership

        In researching what the Word of  God has to tell us about the number "Two", it becomes quickly evident that there is power in partnership. That there are some things that a couple can accomplish that could simply not be achieved alone. There is no better example of this than when a man and woman initiate the powerful partnership of marriage. This summer I saw my two oldest sons married off  in the space of two short weeks. One of the true blessings in the midst of the whirlwind of activity was to see the amazing partnership that exists between each of them and their brides. During the second wedding I had the privilege of reading Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 which quite matter of factly says: "Two are better than one" because of the support and benefit that each can provide one another.
        When it comes to prayer, there is also power in partnership. Christ told His disciples 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. (Matthew 18:19) That is true power! It is power that we may not realize if we labor in prayer alone. Probably most amazing of all is that the Bible teaches that when two believers partner in prayer it actually engages Christ so that the powerful partnership becomes a three cord triage of intercession (Matthew 18:20) that has inseparable (Ecclesiastes 4:12) spiritual strength. There is only one catch. Someone has to initiate a partnership. I remember specifically the joy my sons shared when they "popped the question" to their prospective partner. Should we not have that same joy? Who is that special someone you can partner with today to experience the power of TWO!

Prayer By The Numbers - "One" stands for God

It is quite fitting that the number ONE should represent our God. Interestingly enough, the passage in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:4) that announces ONE time that "The Lord our God is one Lord." is also mentioned only ONE time in the New Testament (Mark 12:29)as well. In both instances; Moses and then Christ Himself, encourage us to "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind." It is clear that our Lord is to be the focus of our life. I can't imagine failing to talk to some one that I love with all my heart, soul and mind. In all the years that my wife and I have been married, I can honestly not remember one full day passing without talking to her. Even when I have been out of town, I have felt that desire to talk to her. There is something therapeutic about just hearing her voice. When it comes to prayer, should that not be the theme of our prayer life? That there is one so special; so dear to us, that we cannot let even one day pass without a conversation with the One who loves us with an "everlasting love." (Jeremiah 31:3)