A fresh view concerning the things we ask

In most occations, we would think that prayers should be sheer in spirit because prayers are spiritual matters. However, this morning a fresh idea came in. Prayers should also involve our whole beings.

"Again, truly I say to you that if two of you are in harmony on earth concerning any matter for which they ask, it will be done for them from my Father who is in the heavens" (Matt. 18:19)

"These all continued steadfastly with one accord in prayer..."(Acts 1:14)

Many bible readers have endeavoured in exploring the secrets of our prayers get answered. Of course, the general concepts will be we have to pray the Father's heart and so on. I'm not forsaking this idea, but rather, I would like to add something more concerning our prayers get answered.

In harmony and with one accord

With the help of the ministry, "one accord" is not an easy thing. In Greek, "one accord" means to have the same mind. Wait, people all have different dispositions and even views concerning one thing. It is even obvious in academia. No matter what you say or do, there is always some opinions which are against you. If the condition of our prayers get answered is to have the same mind, I doubt there will be any prayers get answered? Having said that, there is still a way to "tune up" our mind.

What the worldly people do to tune up? 

Even the worldly people know, if a company wants to earn money and have a good atmosphere (in harmony), the same vision and value are essential. What companies do are to impose the positive impression concerning the company on their employees and treat them with humanity and welfare.

What Christians do to tune up? 

Today I will only emphasis the two very points of tuning up our mind. First, as what companies do to tune up the employees' vision, we have the same goal and the same calling. Second, we have the same life which transforms us to the same image of God.

Therefore, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Jesus. (Hebrews 3:1)

I pursue toward the goal for the prize to which God in Christ Jesus has called me upward. (Philippians 3:14)

We indeed have the same goal, which is the very heavenly calling itself. However, we also need to receive "staff training" by reading the Word of God, and by talking to our heavenly boss so more of the visions can be infused into us to think the same thing with our mind. I would quote the corresponding footnote of "called" in Philippians 3:14 in the recovery version bible to explain what the goal and the calling really are. 

"To be called upward is for the obtaining of the prize to which God has called us from above, from the heavens. This heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1) corresponds with the heavenly commonwealth in v. 20. It is not an earthly calling like that given to the children of Israel in the flesh. This upward calling is to take possession of Christ, whereas the earthly calling to the children of Israel was to take possession of the physical land."

Then, we have the same nationality and life. 

For our commonwealth exists in the heavens, from which also we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will transfigure the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of His glory, according to His operation by which He is able even to subject all things to Himself. (Philippians 3:20-21)

Because those whom He foreknew, He also predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brothers; (Romans 8:29)

I appreciate as Christians, there is an operation that He is able to subject all things to Himself. It can also be applied to our rebellious nature, the nature which hinder us to have the same mind with Him and with other saints. In addition, according to His promise, we will be conformed to the image of His Son. This conformation starts from our spirit, expands to our soul, and finally our body will be redeemed. This divine "tune up" is what we should experience everyday in order to be with the same mind with other saints in our locality. 

Conclusion

Back to the original topic, we realise that the prayers get answered need our whole being involved. Prayers are not simply a matter of spirit, but also involve our being. Our very being often refers our soul. I would love to conclude what I've enjoyed and explored by the apostle's exhortation. 

I exhort Euodias, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same thing in the Lord. (Philippians 4:2)

Make my joy full, that you think the same thing, having the same love, joined in soul, thinking the one thing, (Philippians 4:2)