Prayer and Authority (7) Keys to the Kingdom

Jesus spoke to Peter about the Keys to the Kingdom.

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven;
whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matt 16:19).

Jesus was not giving Peter authority over the church, but was explaining the way that prayer and authority works.

He repeated these words, so they must be important.

I tell you the truth,
whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
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 (Matt 18:18-19).

The additional sentence makes the meaning clear. Two or three people on earth agreeing on something gives the Father in heaven authority to do it. This is the key to the kingdom. We can bind up heaven by failing to pray, as without our authority, God cannot act. On the other hand, by praying correctly, we can release the powers of heaven to work on earth.

In the next verse, Jesus confirms the number of people needed release God’s power on earth.

For where two or three come together in my name,
there am I with them (Matt 18:20).

Two or three people in agreement can give God authority to act. We do not need hundreds of people praying to persuade God. We just need two or three people who agree with what God wants to do. They have sufficient authority on earth to release him to accomplish his purpose. Simeon and Anna had sufficient authority to allow God to send Jesus as messiah. Eli’s agreement with Hannah gave God authority to open Hannah’s womb for Samuel to be born (1 Sam 1:17).