When Two Or Three Gather Together In My Name

There is a great debate today about numbers. Churches have endless debates and policies and plans to try and increase the number together week by week. There are those who are depressed by what they see happening. Others are not surprised and say it reflects the world we live in. If Jesus is asked the ideal number for coming together it is two or three. Where two or three gathers together in his name he is there with them. This is not an empowering word for us. It tells us it is not about mass gatherings. It is not about the ever-increasing roll of honour marking success and failure between churches. It is about hearts that are faithful and lives committed to following the Lord. There heaven itself gathers. There the Lord himself surrounds them with love and power. There the kingdom breaks into the world and makes a difference. The scriptures constantly remind us of the power of small which comes a force for change.

This week once more at the Hospital where I am a health care chaplain, a few people gathered in the Multi-Faith Room. We hold a short service on Monday afternoons. Other times people sit there and gain some peace. As it is in the hospital it must serve people of all faiths or none.  Members of staff or visitors from the Muslim Faith Pray on the pray mats provided. One of my volunteers Shangzi, who is a Budhist meditates before she goes on the ward. And a group of Sikh ladies meet once a month on Friday in this room for prayers of healing for inpatients, outpatients and their families. They meet just before the Muslim Friday prayers.

There are lots of people with no faith or some faith who sit in the Multi Faith Room at the hospital. It is open 24/7. Those who use it might be waiting to go to the outpatients or they might be coming to see a friend, a loved one or relative on one of the  wards. We have a prayer request book and the other day a female who regularly visits this quiet space wrote, "It is so nice to have a place like this where I can sit and soak in a peaceful atmosphere".

After the service one of the patients who came told me that she finds it hard to pray on the ward or to read. But she said that those 20 minutes in this space helped her to pray and feel the presence of God. Jesus tells us the kingdom of heaven is in us and around us. She went away contented and she said she felt an inner peace. The message today is not about numbers it's about being faithful as a few. Numbers clearly don't matter to Jesus. What matters to him is an open heart. A heart that is ready to help and care for others.

So, has we heard the word of Jesus we can be encouraged that it is not about numbers but about being faithful. Being of one heart and mind and united in faith, provides the tools God can work with. Two or three united in Jesus can move mountains.