The Power of Two or More

by Tracy Gordon

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in Heaven. For where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them.”  —Matthew 18:19-20

May and June are certainly celebratory months, especially for those who have children graduating from high school or college. Just a few years ago I remember sitting in that high school stadium, beaming with pride, waiting for my child’s name to be called and then realizing…I wasn’t only waiting with great anticipation for my child’s name, but for the many names I had been praying for throughout their school years. There were even some children I had faithfully prayed for whom I had never actually met. You see, I had been part of a high school Moms in Prayer group. We met every week to pray for our children, school, teachers, and community. But now what? My child was graduating, which meant that I, too was ‘graduating’ from this amazing group of praying mamas. As He always does, the Lord provided because PLC just happened to have the College Moms small group. I quickly joined this group, and three years later stepped into the leadership role. And now once again I find myself in a new season as my child has graduated from college, which means I am ‘graduating’ from College Moms. It is so bittersweet because leading this group has literally been one of the greatest blessings in my life.

In Matthew 18:19-20, Jesus is trying to instill in His disciples the importance and great value of praying together. He says, “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in Heaven. For where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them.” What I take away from this verse is the POWER that gathering together in prayer holds. I think bestselling author, Stormie Omartian expresses it best when she says, “being a perfect parent doesn’t matter, being a praying parent does. You can tell God everything that is on your heart and how you would like to see Him move in your children’s lives. In prayer, you will be powerfully connected to your adult children, and they will experience the effects of your prayers.” In College Moms, I realized that while God has a perfect plan for our children’s lives, Satan has a plan to destroy them and will use any means possible to do so: drugs, alcohol, rebellion, etc. But, he won’t be able to successfully use any of those things if his power has been dissipated by prayer. I also realized that when the world is messing with our kids, mama bears united in prayer is no joke!

One of the greatest blessings of College Moms is hearing someone else praying out loud for your child. To hear their loving words prayed with conviction over your child is something for which I will be eternally grateful. The things we have witnessed and experienced together through prayer have been nothing short of miraculous. We have seen our children overcome great obstacles and challenges. We have rebuked the stronghold of anxiety and depression and seen our children triumph. Doors have opened where opportunities seemed impossible, and when bad influences were seeking to infiltrate, godly friendships came out of nowhere. Time after time, in every meeting, we have had praise after praise to offer our Heavenly Father! We were literally living what Paul told the Thessalonians, to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

As I watch my children embark on this next season of their lives and start their careers, I am in awe at all of the prayers prayed by faithful moms who loved my children as their own and prayerfully invested in them to help shape them into who God is calling them to be. What a gift! Thank You, Jesus!

Lord, we thank You for the encouragement to gather together in prayer for our children and for showing us the power we receive from You when doing so. Thank You for all the answers to prayer and for being the greatest partner in our parenthood journey. We give You all the thanks, praise, and glory and pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.