Agreeing together in prayer is a prayer practice Jesus teaches about in the Bible that brings special power to group prayer when two or more people pray in one accord.

Definition of agreeing in prayer

Agreeing in prayer isn’t simply approving of what someone is saying. It means that you actively align your heart, mind and spirit with others with the intent of praying God’s will, presence and intervention into a situation.

This prayer practice runs on the power of two or more praying together. Because it involves more than one person, it expands beyond our individual spiritual insights so we can collectively see more clearly what God is doing and what he wants to do. And because of this promised spiritual empowerment, we can agree on it together in prayer.

What the Bible says about agreeing in prayer

This prayer practice is found In Matthew 18:19 where Jesus says, “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.” (NIV version)

Two people agreeing on a matter also parallels an ancient legal requirement. According to Jewish law, two witnesses were the legal minimum for settling disputes. Jesus talks about this in John 8 :17 when he says to the Jewish leaders, “In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid.” (NIV)

What is needed to agree in prayer

For agreeing in prayer to work, there’s a list of specific things needed.

Faith and knowledge of who Jesus is

Agreeing in prayer can only be done by those who personally know who Jesus is and understand his mission and ministry here on earth.

In Matthew 18:20 Jesus goes on to say, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (NIV)

The inclusion of the phrase “together in my name” explains that agreeing in prayer is aligning with the character, works, truth, teachings and deeds of Jesus. This verse invites us to explore how the Holy Spirit is leading us to pray with purpose, clarity and agreement that spans both earth and heaven.

Praying in agreement isn’t a magic formula that guarantee that we’ll get exactly what we think we need or want. Instead, it means we are putting it into Jesus’ hands confident we will get an answer that goes beyond our current view of how to fix things.

Something specific to ask God for

Agreeing in prayer is activated when we ask God for something. This is called intercession, which means praying on behalf of someone else, or supplication which means praying for something you need.

God wants and expects us to ask. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.” (NIV)

This request has to be clearly communicated to everyone. Typically, one person in the group prays out loud while the others listen and agree.

Two or more people praying together

By definition, agreement requires at the very least two people to create a meeting of the minds. Therefore, this prayer practice involves group prayer as opposed to personal, private prayer.

When two or more of us pray together, that combination somehow expands our individual spiritual insights in such a way that we can collectively see more clearly what God is doing and what he wants to do.

More people together create more collaboration, more collective wisdom, more discernment and more faith. More gifts of the Holy Spirit are activated. There’s greater knowledge of the Scripture. And there’s increased strength for engaging in spiritual warfare when we stand together.

Agreement among the people praying

The final thing you need to do this prayer practice is for all of those praying to agree. The word agree means we’re of the same opinion on a matter, we concur or we’re in harmony with it.

Scholars tell us that the original Biblical word in the text translated as “agree” means to be completely in one mind and accord. It has musical connotations, like a choir with individual voices blended in chorus together. We are speaking to God in one voice, mind and spirit.

Techniques of agreeing together in prayer

Agreement may be silent, audible or expressed with a physical gesture.

How to silently agree in prayer

Agreeing silently in prayer requires attention and intentionality on the part of group members who are listening to someone pray. Too often those who sit silently during prayer let their thoughts wander away from what’s being said.

When silently agreeing, focus your whole attention on what is being said. A good way to actively listen is to use your own emotions, experiences and knowledge of God to connect you with the prayer.

A technique I sometimes use is picturing what someone is praying in my mind. As an example, recently our minister was praying that our world leaders would be peacemakers. I pictured a specific world leader I’d seen on the news the night before and placed them into that moment of prayer.

She further prayed for the safety and freedom of all families around the world. I pictured a man and a woman and several children sitting contentedly in front of their home.

Another silent agreement technique is to mentally say something about the prayer, such as, “Yes, God. We really need peacemakers.” Or you might silently affirm with a Scripture, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Matthew 5:9 NIV)

How to audibly agree in prayer

In many prayer groups, audible prayers of agreement are used. The main difference between such groups is the level of sound that’s customary.

Whispered prayers of agreement

Some groups use a “whispered response” format, where members whisper short agreements such as: “Yes, Lord.” “Thank you Jesus.” “Please God.”

These expressions of agreement also vary in intensity. As an example, a prayer for general peace might bring a soft “amen.” A prayer for a specific person in imminent danger might bring a stronger emotional agreement that goes a little above a whisper such as “Save them, Lord!”

Just as the intensity can vary, so can the length of the expression of agreement. Longer agreements sometimes repeat a phrase of the sentence just prayed aloud by the speaker. Or they may be a completely new sentence that compliments what has been said.

And finally, audible prayers of agreement don’t always have to be expressed in words. They could be other sounds such as a sigh or a groan or even a quiet laugh.

Out loud prayers of agreement

Groups that do out loud prayers of agreement use the same response techniques as silent and whispered prayer. The main difference is that the volume of the corporate prayers of agreement is increased. This leads to a livelier, revival-type feel to a prayer meeting.

How to agree in prayer using gestures

Engaging our bodies to express prayers of agreement is an often overlooked way to join in the prayers of the person praying out loud.

Examples of physical expressions of agreement would be standing up out of your chair as someone prays, kneeling, raising your hands upward, pressing your hands tightly together in prayer. You might bow down. Cry. Nod or shake your head. Make a fist.

My Personal experiences with prayers of agreement

In the intercessory prayer group I lead, agreeing in prayer is a vital part of our prayer time together. We never have actually talked about how the group will do prayers of agreement. Instead, each person has naturally developed their own way of doing it.

A number of us like to use whispered prayers of agreement. Others prefer being silent and listening. Whenever I’m praying for something out loud, I find it very helpful and encouraging to hear a few other people voicing a “yes Lord.” Their response helps me be more aware of what is striking a chord with those around me.

I also have found it useful to engage in gestures of agreement during our prayer group. I might put my open hands in my lap to show I’m raising the prayer I’m hearing up to God. Or I might bow my back down lower in agreement of the intensity of the need.

While writing this article, I became aware that I probably could improve my attention to and participation in praying in agreement at church during the pastoral prayer time. The next Sunday during the pastoral prayer, I paid closer attention to what the minister was saying instead of putting my mind on autopilot and taking a mental break.