Lilleshall

This week dozens of Sports Chaplains met at the National Sports Centre, Lilleshall. This is annually a truly inspirational conference with some great insights into the world of sport and faith.

For example we heard about one English Football Club where, after the Manager's team talk the players are offered the chance to go to another quiet room for prayer which includes meditating on a verse of the Bible.

So, of the 11 players plus substitutes, how many - in deeply secular 21st century Europe -might be found in the prayer room?

Up to ten.

Or to put it another way; a rather higher proportion that most churches manage at their prayer meetings!

Now if they were at FC Barcelona, they'd even have a proper chapel . . .