DAY 18

Identity and Authority of the Church

Matthew 18:18–20 (NKJV/NASB sense)
“Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

As the Church, our identity is not that of a social club, but of a body empowered with supernatural authority delegated by Christ. In Matthew 18, Jesus reveals that our voice on earth resounds in heaven, but this authority is not a universal right; it requires alignment with the Kingdom of God.

First, recognize that authority is not for the rebellious, manipulative, seditious, self-willed, or insubordinate. God does not endorse division or selfishness; He seeks humble hearts that build up, not tear down. Our true identity emerges when we submit to Him and to one another in love.

Second, authority is for those who come into agreement. You can operate in it by declaring what is written in the Word: “You say what you say because it is written.” God backs it up; His truth activates the angels of heaven to minister on your behalf. This is where the power of binding and loosing comes in:

To bind is to forbid: Declare to the devil, “You have no place; I deny you entry into my life, family, or finances.”
To loose is to permit: Use your authority for blessing, opening the heavens and loosing healing, deliverance, and salvation over your entire family.

This is not done in isolation: you must come into agreement with your brother or sister. The heavens open through the power of agreement; this is not for lone rangers. Imagine a covenant prayer for family salvation: bind and forbid the devil from interfering in your home, finances, or relationships. Make a mutual commitment: “Watch my back, and I’ll watch yours.” In that covenant, angels are activated by the Father’s command, and the storehouses of heaven are opened in prosperity.

We are called to cast sickness out of homes and families, but we must do so believing and acting in the Name of Jesus (Mark 16:17). Finally, this agreement and covenant produce momentum and leaps into the supernatural: “Ask anything and you will receive it.” Where two or three gather in His name, He is in the midst, amplifying our faith toward miracles.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, I declare my identity as part of Your empowered Church. I renounce all rebellion, manipulation, and discord in my heart, and I choose the path of covenant and unity. I come into agreement with my brothers and sisters: we bind every work of the enemy in our lives, families, and finances; we forbid him a place and deny him authority. We loose blessing, open the heavens, and allow healing, deliverance, and salvation for all who belong to us. Activate Your angels to watch our backs and open the storehouses of prosperity. Believing Your Word, we ask anything in agreement, and we receive it by faith. Where we gather, You are in our midst. Amen.

Action of the Day:
Today, contact a brother or sister in Christ and make a brief prayer covenant (5–10 minutes by phone or in person). Agree together to bind a specific barrier of the enemy (such as illness in a family member or financial stagnation) and loose blessing in its place. Declare Matthew 18:19 together and write down what God shows you. Share the testimony tomorrow to see supernatural momentum in action. Walk in your authority!