April Week 1: Faith in the Midst of Uncertainty
The story of Jesus inviting Peter out to walk on water is one many of us are likely familiar with. Yet, when we read it more carefully and spend time reflecting on the passage, we find that Jesus and Peter’s interaction carries depth that can apply to our current lives.
As we encourage you in prayer this week, we would like to invite you to read the passage and reflect on the following questions in a time of talking with God and listening for His voice. Then continue your prayer time by praying through your uncertainties and anxieties and practice surrendering them to God.
Read the passage:
Matthew 14:22-33
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Reflect:
When Jesus calls Peter out onto the water, we see that he immediately obeys despite the seemingly crazy command Jesus has just asked of Peter. Do you follow Jesus as willingly and as quickly as Peter does in this case?
Peter begins to sink as he focuses on the wind and the waves instead of focusing his eyes on Jesus. What causes you to take your eyes off Jesus?
What is beautiful to me about this story is that Peter, even though he fails to have faith and keep his eyes on Jesus, he still cries out to Jesus for help knowing that Jesus is the only one who can safe him. Even more than that, Jesus IMMEDIATELY reached out to save Peter. He does not rebuke, or let Peter start to drown. He saves Peter despite his little faith and only after catching him does he rebuke him.
Take Time to Pray:
Especially in this time of uncertainty, we have a tendency to take our eyes off Jesus and focus on the winds and the waves. Whether it is fear of contracting COVID-19, giving it to someone we love, the global economy outlook, the loss of beloved community, an accelerated final semester without a graduation to cap off your college career, or even the very real struggle of not being able to buy any toilet paper at the store (I’m out), Jesus is still reaching out to catch you. Take time to pray through these anxieties that you may or may be facing, if you are not facing them, pray through them for those around you. We know that Jesus is with us, and yet the fact remains that these new challenges exist, and they are very real. Ask Jesus for faith to follow him without taking our eyes off of him.
I’ll share my favorite verse; it’s a great one to consider as you pray about these things.
Philippians 4: 6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of Christ which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
In Christ,
Prayer Team