Friend, before we pray, let's first take a moment to listen to God's word and then we'll pray together.
In Matthew 14: verses 22-27, it says, "Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side while he dismissed the crowds.
And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.
But the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
And in the fourth watch of the night, he came to them walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, "It's a ghost." And they cried out in fear.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart. It is I. Do not be afraid."
Look closely at the order of events because it teaches you how spiritual battles often work.
First, the disciples were in that boat because Jesus told them to go. They were not running from God. They were obeying.
And yet, the wind was against them.
That matters because many people assume hardship always means they did something wrong.
But this passage shows you that you can be in the will of God and still face resistance.
Sometimes the storm is building something deeper in you than comfort can ever build.
Second, the storm began with opposition.
It says the wind was against them.
That is how many seasons start.
You try to move forward but everything pushes back.
You pray but your mind still feels heavy.
You work hard but doors still feel shut.
You love people, but you still get misunderstood.
And the longer you fight through it, the more tired you become.
Third, when Jesus came near, the disciples did not recognize him.
They were afraid of the very one who came to save them. They cried out. They saw his presence and called it a ghost. That is what fear does.
Fear can make you misread God's work.
Fear can make you mistake a divine moment for a disaster.
Fear can make you assume the worst when heaven is actually stepping in.
This is where many believers struggle today.
When God answers, it does not always look like what you imagined.
Sometimes his help looks like change. or looks like pressure that exposes what is weak.
Sometimes it looks like a delay that matures your faith or it looks like a door closing because it was never meant to lead you into life.
But even then, Jesus is still coming toward you. Notice what Jesus says.
He does not first calm the waves. He speaks to their hearts.
Take heart. It is I. Do not be afraid.
He deals with fear before he deals with the storm. Because a storm outside of you is not as dangerous as fear inside of you.
And you need to hear the same words today.
Take heart.
That means you do not let your emotions become your master. It means you choose courage.
Then he says, "It is I."
That means you remember who is with you.
The living Christ. The one who rules over wind and waves. The one who steps on what threatens you. The one who walks on what you cannot control.
That is why 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
A sound mind is a gift from God.
It means you can think clearly again and you do not have to be driven by panic.
Also remember this.
While the disciples were fighting the storm, Jesus was on the mountain in prayer.
They could not see him, but he saw them.
There are moments when you cannot sense God, but His eyes are still on you.
His attention is still on your life.
Psalm 46:1 says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Very present means he is not far away in your hardest moments.
So what do you do when the wind is against you? You hold on to his words.
You let Christ define the moment, not your fear.
You keep obeying even when the journey feels slow. You stay in prayer even when you are tired.
You stay close to scripture because truth strengthens you when feelings cannot.
God's peace can stand guard over your heart. And when you feel like the waters are rising, remember this promise, too.
Isaiah 43:2 says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
You may pass through waters, but you will not be swallowed by them.
You may face rivers, but they will not drown your purpose."
Beloved, the disciples were afraid of the manner in which Jesus came to them. Do not make the same mistake.
The storm you think will ruin you may become the place where you learn Jesus is closer than you ever realized.
Take heart. It is Jesus. Do not be afraid.
Now, let's take a moment to pray together.
🙏🏽
Dear Lord Jesus, I confess that I do not always understand why certain storms come. But I do believe that nothing in my life is outside your care.
You see the full picture when I can only see one moment at a time If it is your will that I walk through this storm, then I ask you to use it for my growth and not for my destruction.
Strengthen my faith so that it does not collapse under pressure.
Teach me to trust you when I cannot trace you.
I pray that this season will refine my heart and remove what does not belong, so that my faith becomes more pure and more pleasing to you.
Your word in 1 Peter 1: verses 6-7 reminds me that trials test my faith and can produce something precious.
So I ask for maturity instead of only asking for escape. I ask for transformation.
Lord, I also pray that this storm will develop godly character within me.
I do not want suffering to make me bitter.
I want it to make me wiser, more humble, more patient, and more dependent on you.
Your word in James 1: verses 2:4 teaches that trials can produce perseverance, and perseverance can shape my life into something complete.
I may not like the process, but I want the fruit that comes from walking with you faithfully.
Holy Spirit, open my eyes so I can recognize the favor that remains over my life even in this difficult season.
Help me not to ignore your blessings just because l am under pressure.
Help me see the ways you are protecting me, guiding me, and sustaining me even when things feel uncertain.
I ask you to help me focus purely on Jesus Christ.
Keep me from becoming obsessed with everything that could go wrong.
Keep me from living in imaginary fear and worst case thoughts.
Instead, fill me with a settled confidence in the God of the ages, the One who was faithful before I was born and will remain faithful long after my storm passes.
Father, I ask you to order my steps in everything I do, wherever I go, and in every decision I must make.
Lead me with your wisdom and not my emotions. Guide me like a shepherd who knows the road and knows the dangers.
Your word in Psalm 23:3 says, "He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Restore my soul, Lord.
Restore my peace.
Restore my clarity.
Restore the parts of me that feel worn out from trying to hold everything together.
Lead me in the right path and let my life bring honor to your name.
Help me to embrace whatever comes my way with faith, knowing that you are greater than any storm or situation I may face.
Your love drives away fear and your presence pushes back darkness.
When I feel anxious, remind me that you have already overcome the world.
Your word in John 16:33 says that in this world I will have trouble but I can take heart because you have overcome the world.
³³ I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
So I choose to take heart today because you are strong and you live within me.
Lord, your word in Romans 8: verses 38-39 says "that neither death nor life, neither angels nor rulers, neither things present nor things to come, nor any power nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. "
Lord, when I feel lonely in this storm, remind me that I am still loved.
When I feel like I am failing, remind me that your love is not based on my perfection.
When I feel scared about tomorrow, remind me that your love has already secured my future.
As I face the storms of life, I ask you for peace.
Teach me how to pray instead of panic and how to worship instead of worry.
Your word in Philippians 4: verses 6 to7 tells me not to be anxious but to bring everything to you in prayer with thanksgiving. And then your peace will guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus.
Let that guarding peace rest over me today, Lord.
Let it protect my thoughts, protect my sleep, protect my emotions, and protect my decisions.
Lord, with your presence, there is security and there is calm for my soul.
With your presence, burdens feel lighter because l am no longer carrying them alone.
Even if the storm does not stop immediately, I believe you can strengthen me to endure.
Your word in second Corinthians 4: verses 8-9 reminds me that I may be hardpressed, but I am not crushed.
I may be perplexed, but not in despair.
I may be struck down, but not destroyed.
Keep me standing, Lord.
Keep me hopeful.
Keep me steady, Father.
Through faith, I declare that you are sovereign and you are in control.
I ask the Holy Spirit to empower me to stand firm, to stand strong, and to keep trusting you when I feel weak.
Comfort me when I falter and correct me when I drift.
When my strength runs low, teach me to wait on you with expectation.
Your word in Isaiah 40:31 says that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Renew my strength, Lord.
Renew my courage.
Thank you for holding me together day after day.
Thank you for every time you carried me when I thought I could not take another step.
Thank you for hearing me every time I call on your name.
Cover me with your blood, Lord Jesus.
Protect my heart, my mind, my home, and protect my future.
I trust you, Jesus.
In your holy name I pray.
Amen.
If this prayer has touched your heart, please say amen as a sign of faith. I pray that every blessing in this prayer is now upon you in the name of Jesus Christ.
May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.
