Praying Together 12th April 2026

Let’s talk about Peter, the ‘Rock’ on which Christ’s Church is built.

Seriously, would you have chosen him? Surely, one of the other Disciples would be the most highly qualified.

Thomas – the rationalist, who requested and received hard proof

John Mark – a young man to appeal to the young

John – the one whom Jesus loved, also offering theological understanding

Matthew – to explain to his own people, the Jews, that Messiah has come

Luke – the educated reporter bringing the stories together

Surely all the above are candidates to be the foundation on which the Church is to be built– but Peter?

Simon Peter – weak of will (even if momentarily), impulsive, a tendency toward vacillation and doubt, headstrong, somewhat overestimating his own capability. Walks on water – temporarily; denies he Knows Jesus when under pressure; jumps fully clothed into the sea; cuts off Malthus’ ear in the Garden of Gethsemane. But – and this is much more important – despite all the times he acts before his brain catches up, he is not afraid to proclaim his faith in public. And he doesn’t care who knows it.

“But what about you?” Jesus asked the disciples. “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Saint Peter – embarrassingly human, with human fallibilities – but in faith, prepared to accept them and be forgiven for the things he gets wrong, whether intentional or unintentional. And it is this that makes him the right choice on which to found a worldwide church full of people who share the same weaknesses and faults, a church which accepts the imperfection of humanity but loves it nonetheless – even to the point of atoning self-sacrifice.

Of all the Apostles, Peter the flawed man is the natural leader. Over the next few weeks, we shall look closely at his first letter in the New Testament, which describes the real-world Christian life. If you would like to prepare, the readings are:

12 April 1 Peter 1.3-9

19 April 1 Peter 1.17-23

26 April 1 Peter 2.19-25

3 May 1 Peter 2.2-10

10 May 1 Peter 3.13-22

17 May 1 Peter 4.12- 5:11

1 Peter 1: 3-9
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Key points:
v.4 – an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. We are given the gift of an indestructible inheritance of hope through Jesus the Christ. It is up to us whether we choose to accept it.
v.5 – through faith. It is faith that shields us now and in the future
v.6 – you greatly rejoice Because we have faith, we are capable of enduring whatever lies before us in this earthly life
v.7 – when Jesus Christ is revealed. When He comes, your endurance will be rewarded and your faith will be proven.
v.8 – even though you do not see him now, you believe. Hebrews 11:1 ‘Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.’
v.9 – the salvation of your souls. Despite our mistakes and weaknesses, like Peter, we are saved through the unconditional love God shows us through His son, Jesus the Christ.