'I hold onto God's promises' - the Christian faith of Bukayo Saka
By Emma Fowle 9 July 2021.CT.
Ahead of the Euro 2020 final on Sunday, we take a look at the Christian faith of Bukayo Saka, one of the new breed of England players better known for their hard work and decency than off-the-pitch antics
Bukayo Saka’s star is definitely in the ascendancy. After topping off his Arsenal season by winning player of the year, the 19 year old midfielder has put in some stellar performances at Euro 2020, winning man of the match in England’s 1-0 victory over Czech Republic. When he pulled on his England shirt to face Denmark in the semi-finals, he became the youngest Englishman to ever start a match at the semi-final stage or later of a major tournament. But as he faces up to the pressure of the first England final since 1966, what part will his faith play in helping him navigate his ever-growing fame and the pressures that come with it?
Saka grew up in West London and was raised in a Christian home. He still lives with his parents and brother, and says his family regularly pray for his success. He attended The Edward Betham Church of England Primary School, which has a strong Christian ethos.
MY FAITH IS CONSTANTLY BEING EXERCISED
Last year, as part of a Year Five topic ‘Do fame and Christian faith go together?’ Saka wrote to pupils at his old school about the role that faith has played in his life. He said: “I grew up in a Christian family who believe strongly in God. This always made me curious to get to know God more and I have done so by reading my Bible a lot and going to church a lot over the years. My faith is constantly being exercised when I’m put in different situations or I play in big football matches such as my England debut.”
“I hold onto God’s promises such as the scripture ‘Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours’. So before every game I ask God to help me play well, help my team and try to score a goal or assist a goal and he answers my prayers so this is why I point to the sky to thank him.”
.jpeg)