I love corporate prayer.  Few things compare to interceding alongside other believers.  Even since my days of youth I have enjoyed prayer meeting.  Having said, however, there is a Bible passage that is often mistaken for a verse about prayer.

Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” – Matthew 18:19-20

While encouraging group prayer is always a GOOD thing, using this verse to do it omits another very important Biblical instruction: dealing positively with another believer who has sinned against you. A quick reading of the preceding verses in Matthew 18:15-18 clearly reveals the context in which Jesus was speaking.

These verse indicate what a believer is to do when another believer sins against him.  Notice the catalyst for this confrontation – SIN, not disappointment, disagreement, or difference.  When another believer doesn’t measure up to our expectations or does something with which we disagree, then we are called to exercise forbearance and patience, but when the offense is clearly a SIN against us we are instructed to take positive and proactive steps.

First we are to lovingly confront the believer and make him aware of his sin against us.  Hopefully, at that stage reconciliation is achieve and the matter is over.  If not, then the offended believer is to take two or three people to attest to the fact you tried to resolve the issue peaceably.  If that doesn’t work, then it is time to hold the sinful brother accountable to the congregation.

These steps seem incredibly uncomfortable because we so seldom employ them.  Most of the time, we ignore the offense and allow the sinful brother to continue in his sin. Quite often his sins grow increasing egregious, because no one lovingly confronts him.  Still other times, we skip the private first step and we bring a “posse” to the one who has offended us and we attack him in a group setting.  That always creates more hostility rather than fostering reconciliation.

Taking the prescribed Biblical steps honors God, shows respect to fellow believers, and testifies to the Grace of Christ.  It is simply the RIGHT way to do things.  When two brothers in Christ come together when once there was disharmony, the presence of Christ is evident in their union, and the testimony of Christ to the lost world is encouraged.  Sure, it is great to pray together as believers, but it is even greater to come together Biblically when one believer has sinned against another.