I heard the statement, “Let’s touch and agree,” so much when I was growing up.

A hand outstretched, reaching for another hand.

At least two people join together in agreement to make a request to God.

One day, I read the scripture for myself, and I was changed.

Matthew 18:19-20 (King James Version): “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven”. (Emphasis mine)

The scripture says, if we agree AS TOUCHING, not touch and agree.

That distinction changed everything for me.

Now, I’m fine with people saying touch and agree if you want to. However, there are a couple of things to consider.

1. I now see this verse as “Let’s pray as if we are already touching the thing we are asking for,” instead of “Let’s hold hands and ask for something and hope it comes to pass.”

I don’t know about you, but I think of it more like a thank you in advance prayer instead of a hope you will prayer.

2. I’m not a Bible scholar. I’m unsure why this scripture was placed here. It comes right after a story about reconciliation and verses about binding and loosing. I don’t know if that is what the prayer was supposed to be about. I also think this wasn’t a blanket prayer. It doesn’t mean you get everything you ask for just because you agree with someone else.

Can you imagine if we got everything we prayed for?

I don’t believe these verses are about us asking for all-the-things and receiving them.

But I do believe they show what can happen when we align with others in faith to petition heaven on a matter here on earth.

Both touch and agree, and agree as touching hinge on unity and agreement in faith.

What I’m saying is, agreement isn’t about physical touch—it’s about posture. It’s about aligning our hearts, our faith, and our expectations with heaven before we ever see the answer on earth. When we agree as touching, we’re not hoping God might respond; we’re trusting that He already has. It invites us to pray from faith, not fear, and from unity, not desperation.

May we agree as touching while we touch and agree. 🙂