Where 2 or 3 are gathered

"Where 2 or 3 are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them"

Have you ever used this verse in a small gathering, or in a prayer meeting? Don't. There is a context for everything, and we sometimes take things out of context for our own comfort.

This verse is the last verse of the section Matthew 18: 15 to 20, which specifically talks about disciplining a sinning brother. To such a brother, we are to have a one on one. When that doesn't work, we are to take 1 or 2 with us. When we take 1, we go as 2, and when we take 2, we go as 3. Ergo, 2 or 3 gather. It goes on to say, that when that doesn't work, the whole church needs to be brought into the picture. The goal of all this is to restore the brother and get him out of his sin.

As the narrative progresses, Verse 18 then gives assurance that, when this process is followed, God is working in it. Verse 19 says "Again" if 2 of you agree on something, it will be done by My Father. Again denotes that it is still talking about the process. And the section concludes with verse 20 saying where 2 or 3 are gathered together in My name, to discipline a brother, I am there in the midst of them.

Not for a prayer meeting, not for a worship service, but to discipline a fallen brother.

Context is very important. Take a text out of context, and all you're left with is 'con'.