Trinity 11
Collect
O God, you demonstrate your almighty power most clearly in showing mercy and pity: Mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace, that we, seeking to obey your commandments, may receive your gracious promises, and be allowed to share your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ephesians 4: 25-5:2
John 6: 35, 41-51
How to win Olympic Gold:
Eat. Be aware of your food, where it comes from, what it contains. Optimise your diet. Eat noting that doesn’t help your fitness.
Train. Realise the unique gifts you have been given and aim to develop them through understanding how to grow and refine those gifts.
Practice. Even though we often hear the phrase ‘Practice makes perfect, it doesn’t. Only perfect practice makes perfect. Have a schedule, have a purpose and a target. It may demand sacrifices, it will undoubtedly hurt. Rise above the barriers and focus on the finish line.
Act. Unless the above is applied in the critical moments when it matters, it will have been a waste of time. Be ready always for the sound of the starting pistol.
Recover. Sometimes you will win the race, many times you will not. When you fail, pick yourself up, dust yourself down, and start all over again.
How to win the Gold medal for being the special. unique person God created:
Eat. I am the bread of life, says Jesus. Unless you eat of this bread, you shall not have life within you. John 6:35
Train. Read your Bible and use commentaries to assist understanding. Listen to teachers and others who have gone before. Pray. 2 Timothy 3:16
Practice. Exercise a spiritual discipline, and try to identify God’s call and seek the Spirit’s guidance. Matthew 7:7
Act. Serve. Put your words into action. James 1:22-25
Recover. Take your failures and your sins to the foot of the Cross – and leave them there! Matthew 11:28-29
An athlete’s prayer
God, let me play well but fairly.
Help me to learn something that matters
once the game is over.
Let competition make me strong but never hostile.
Always let me help my opponent up.
Never catch me rejoicing in the adversity of others.
If I know victory, allow me to be happy; if I am denied, keep me from envy.
Remind me that sports are just games.
If through my behaviour I set an example,
let it be a good one.
Previous Posts
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If we are to appreciate the gentleness of a lamb, we need to know its opposite. If we are to understand what safety is, we need also to experience the possibility of danger.
Praying Together 15th February 2026
Perhaps, when we pray, we need to remember it is the Jesus on the Mountain to whom we address our prayers, the one whose face shines like the sun and transfigures our faces as we radiate in His light.
Praying Together February 8th 2026
Is Jesus suggesting, not to eat and drink? And is he saying we should not wear clothes but go naked?
How unrealistic is this, and how depressing – we need to eat and drink, and we need clothing.
Praying Together February 1st 2026
Christ’s words are given to all His people in the face of the difficulties we ourselves face in life. We claim them and are assured of Blessing. And that is all we need.
Praying Together January 25th 2026
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Praying Together 18th January 2026
In prayer, we ask: Who is God calling to come and use their specific individual gifts to continue to build His Kingdom in the future?
His reply is clear.
“You”, He says.
Praying Together 11 January 2026
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
Praying Together 21st December 2025
Joseph’s example is one of love, human reaction, vocation and ultimate obedience to his Creator. So we rightly celebrate both Mary and Joseph as the chosen parents of the Christ-child. But we must also remember that they were ordinary people with human emotions who lived extraordinary lives.
Praying Together December 7th 2025
By your grace we have the gift of the Scriptures. With the help your grace, may we listen deeply to what you want to say to each one of us. May we know your gifts of endurance, encouragement and hope, so that not only our lips but also our lives may be a song in praise of your mercy.
Praying Together November 30th November 2025
The significance of the Themes and Candles we light during the Advent Season.
Praying Together 23rd November 2025
We celebrate the beginning of the story in Advent – but before we do, it is equally important to celebrate the final act of Coronation. The Gospel proclaims that Jesus is King.
Praying Together 16th November 2025
In ways, the Christian Journey is like a race – a Marathon, not a sprint. The key is endurance, Jesus says. There will be mountains to climb, tears and heartache in the depths of your soul, and it will sometimes feel like it’s impossible to carry on. But the world will continue, and end only in God’s good time.