Just because we serve the Lord…
” Praying in the Storm “
By Anne Johnston
Mark 4:39 “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
It had been a long day for Jesus and His disciples. Crowds had surrounded them. No doubt they were hungry and tired. When Jesus suggested they get in a ship and go across the lake, they eagerly obeyed. Jesus found a quiet place and lay down to sleep.
Suddenly, without warning, the wind arose, and the boat began to toss around on the waves. Fear filled their hearts. When they realized that Jesus was asleep, they woke him. They had forgotten two important things:
What Jesus had said before they left shore. “Let us pass over to the other side.”
Who was in the boat with them, the One who created the wind?
When we are sailing smoothly on the sea of life, it is easy to be thankful for all the blessings we have received. It is easy to trust the Lord. But when storms arise, we often forget all the times the Lord has been with us and sustained us. But if we have built a strong, consistent prayer life when things are going well, we need not fear when the storms rise. We have an anchor that holds us securely.
Hebrews 6:19 “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.”
Just because we serve the Lord does not mean we will not face stormy times in our lives. There will be times of sickness, times when the doctor’s report hits us hard. There will be times when we will struggle financially. Family and friends will disappoint us and even wound us at times.
That is why it is so important that we build a personal altar. A daily time when we commune with the Lord, praising Him for His blessings, and asking for His guidance in every part of our lives. We study His Word and receive direction from it. When storms come, we are not surprised. We know what Jesus has promised:
Matthew 28:20 “lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
Psalm 9:9-10 “The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
Often in the storm, we do not feel much like praying. That is when we just speak the Name of Jesus, and rest assured that He hears our heart’s cry. The darkest hour is just before dawn. As we take our eyes off the storm and trust in our anchor, peace will fill our souls. He is the Master of the Wind, and He will never forsake us.
Like David we can say: “I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the storm passes by.” Psalm 57:1 NLT
Info from UPCI Ladies Prayer International Newsletter
