Tag Archives: storms

Help, There’s Water in my Boat!

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562785703Doesn’t it seem to come crashing in all at once? The storms of life, such as, a vehicle breaking down unexpectedly and maybe being laid off your job or even a death of a loved one can set your world in turmoil. Life at times can become very overwhelming to say the least. The Psalmist says in Ps 107:28-29 says, “they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. “NKJV

When God’s people have a right understanding and trust in their Heavenly Father they will cry out to Him in what I call storms of life, with confidence of His leadership. Yet on the other hand, when God’s people or those that have been around church most of their lives, but are shallow in their understanding will be disillusioned and possibly offended at the Lord.

It’s when we begin to look at the waves and wind that our eyes get off of Jesus and fixed on the circumstances around us.        (tweet)

   The disciples were faced with this scenario in Mk 4:37-41, where it says a great storm arose as Jesus and his disciples were traveling across in a fishing boat one evening. Jesus had just finished ministering to the multitudes about growing in the things of God and encouraged His disciples to go to the other side with Him. And wouldn’t you know it, in the midst of their journey arises a great storm. The wind began to blow and the waves beat against the boat, filling it with water. Water in your boat is never good and would make most passengers very uncomfortable. Well, the disciples being concerned came to inform Jesus that they had a major crisis. The story progresses letting us know that they found Him at the stern of the boat sleeping on a pillow. In their dismays they woke Him with fear in their voice, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing? In other words, because Jesus was at peace and

We forget that He is the one that speaks peace to storms and everything becomes calm     (Tweet

comfortably sleeping, they thought He didn’t care whether they perished or not. But Jesus answered their accusations by speaking peace and a calmness to this storm. He then addressed them asking why they were so fearful and had no faith? He was letting them know if they would have really trusted in His guidance there was no reason for fear because He will bring peace to the storm.

More than not, we all fall into that same category as the disciples when in the midst of our storms. Unfortunately, we also at times can get offended at Jesus when we aren’t confident in His leadership. We forget that He is the one that speaks peace to storms and everything becomes calm. Jesus wants us to find the same place of peace in the midst of chaos that the disciples found Him in. Not in a pit of denial but a place of total confidence and trust. He wants you to have peace in the midst of the storms of life. In Isaiah 26:3 we are exhorted that if we keep our eyes on Him, He will keep us in perfect Peace.

It’s when we begin to look at the waves and wind that our eyes get off of Jesus and fixed on the circumstances around us. Peter had great faith in Matt. 14:24-31 when he stepped out of the boat in obedience to the word of Jesus. But it was when he began to focus on the storm that his lack of faith began to sink him.

 

This Place Works Great!

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praying-for-rainDriving to church one Sunday I was so encouraged when a car passed me with the driver in serious prayer. It was obvious to me by her actions and demeanor that she was interceding for the upcoming service. She was transforming her car into a prayer room on the way to her church.

The scripture describes prayer as taking place in many different settings. We see in Matthew 6:6, “… when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” In Luke 6:12, Jesus went out to the mountain to pray. He also prayed at the Garden of Gethsemane (Lk. 22:39) and Peter prayed on the housetop in Acts 10:9.

Susanna Wesley the mother of Charles and John Wesley prayed during the day in her rocking chair. She had nineteen active children and as you can imagine finding time and place for prayer was almost impossible. But, knowing the need and the power of prayer she would sit in her chair placing her apron over her face making it a place of prayer. Her children were instructed never to disturb their mother when she was praying under her apron.

            “The intensity of the storm paled in comparison to those who were bombarding Heaven with cries for revival”   (Tweet) 

There are so many different places of opportunity to nurture your prayer life. Families can pray together at the kitchen table after breakfast or evening dinner. Those in the marketplace can have prayer meetings in their office cubicle or conference room before work. On your commute to work every day turn your car into a holy time of prayer.

Being in Guatemala, in a flimsy tent under a cloudburst, along with hundreds of serious prayer warriors impacted my life to my core. The intensity of the storm paled in comparison to those who were bombarding Heaven with cries for revival. Few were even aware of the storm outside. These hungry hearted believers were not going to allow anything to hinder their prayers. I was reminded of how often, back in the blessed U.S.A., we allow our prayer focus to get off track. Yet here in a remote area of the Guatemalan mountain, these people didn’t even flinch at the raging wind, pounding rain or the flapping tent. It was a glorious time of intense intercession that is seared in my memory.

Our places of prayer should be a place that helps keep our focus on heaven and not those around us. If we are praying so that others can see us and our pride can be stroked, then we have missed the mark and purpose of prayer. Matthew 6:1-6, lets us know if we are looking for man’s approval and praise then we will receive the rewards of man. Wouldn’t we rather have our rewards come from God who sees in secret and rewards us openly? Therefore, wherever you find your place to be, make it a holy place with Him.

The overall view in scripture is that there is no one place to pray that is superior. The only criteria is that we pray in a place and manner that allows us to focus on the Lord. God wants us to spend quality time with Him, wherever that might be on a roof, in a tent or elsewhere. He longs for our undivided attention. Remember prayer is communication with our heavenly Father, whether we are alone or with others, it is talking and conversing with Him.