Collect for Trinity 12
Romans 12: 1-8
Matthew 16: 13-20
The spectacular landscape of South West Kerry is framed by the way that rock, over many hundreds of thousands of years, has been eroded by water, moved by earthquake, smoothed by slow-moving glaciers and weakened by weather. We pick up a tiny pebble, and tell our children stories of how it used to be a huge boulder. The mountains are moving still, and the skyline changes constantly.
The rock on which Christ’s Church is built, however, is changeless. It weathers all the storms that the world sets against it, and will always stand firm. How? Through us. The rock on which the church was to be founded was Peter’s confession of Jesus as Messiah. His faith, and the strength of the Spirit, began an unstoppable witness to the Gospel. Over the years, there have been many assaults upon it – some intentional, some insidious, some selfish, some merely through apathy. But still it stands, preserved by the light of burning martyrs through the ages.
And today, our faith and our openness to the Spirit’s guidance echo Peter’s confession. We are part of the rock, and generations yet unborn will know peace and freedom through our witness. The gates of Hell stand no chance, no matter with what weapons Satan uses to defend them.
We pray together:
Heavenly Father – we can only imagine Peter’s reaction when Jesus asks Him the question. There will have been a silence – the disciples are looking at each other, willing someone else to answer. They know that this is the pivotal moment of their lives. Deep in their heart, they do believe – but to say the word out loud means commitment to accepting the consequence, whatever that may be, whatever dangers will be faced. In the end, it is Peter, once again, who takes the step that faith demands. Thousands since that day have proclaimed the same. And so do I. Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ. I pray that my faith will be as strong as rock, and upon that stone, may your church continue being built. Amen.
Previous Posts
Pray Together 19th July 2026
We define hope as ‘to want something to happen or to be true, and have a good reason to think that it might’.
Praying Together 12th July 2026
But the real task to which godparents promise is to ensure that the newly-baptised are supported in their Christian growth, by prayer, advice and example.
Praying Together 5th July 2026
We obey His command, but not as slaves – instead, he invites us to be willing servants, alongside the freedom to always ask and reason together with Him as we choose our actions. Therein lies the path to Wisdom, and in God’s Wisdom lies gentleness, humility and rest for our souls.
Praying Together 21st June 2026
‘You are of more value than many sparrows.’
Yes perhaps we are – but that doesn’t mean that sparrows have no value at all.
Praying Together 31st May 2026
Throughout the world, greeting one another with a kiss is a standard way of greeting – once, twice or more (four times in some regions of of France.) In our less demonstrative culture, we perhaps tend to ‘Share the peace’ by means of a nod, wave, handshake a hug or sometimes even a kiss itself in order to respect what we understand as the boundaries of a person’s ‘personal space’.
Praying Together 17th May 2026
‘Somethin’s comin’, don’t know what it is, but it is gonna be great’
Praying Together 10th May 2026
This week I offer a report of our Archbishop John’s Introductory address to this week’s General Synod. It speaks for itself. I wish certain political leaders would read it too.
Praying Together 26th April 2026
Fortunately, God’s love is not restricted to those who do good. He sent His only Son to save sinners – whoever they may be, whatever they may have done wrong.
Praying Together April 19th 2026
Judgement is not restricted to either believers or non-believers – but All people
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.
Praying Together Easter Sunday 2026
A Reflection provided by the Revd. Barbara Irrgang-Buckley for the First Sunday of Easter
Praying Together – A Thought for Good Friday 2026
Through our tears as we stand at the foot of the Cross and witness His Crucifixion on this Good Friday, we have the privilege of looking beyond the day unto a day of joy as we are assured of His life – then, today and tomorrow. We leave our past behind as we walk away from Golgotha, the place of the skull.