Praying Times

But [Peter], seeing that the wind was strong, feared and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30). 

Recently, I preached a message entitled, Whitewater.  My text, Matthew 14:22-33, focused on Jesus walking on the water to meet His disciples who were caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee.   The text highlights Peter walking on the water until he began to fear.  His fears weighted him down like lead.  What did he do?  He prayed.  Charles Spurgeon writes,

Sinking times are praying times with the Lord’s servants. . . .  Heaven’s great harbor of refuge is prayer; thousand of weather- beaten vessels have found a haven there, and the moment a storm comes on, it is wise for us to make for it with all sail. . . .  Short prayers are long enough.  There were but three words in the petition which Peter gasped out, but they were sufficient for his purpose.  Not length but strength is what is important.  A sense of need is a mighty teacher of brevity.  If our prayers had less the tail feathers of pride and more wing they would be all the better. . . .  Our extremities are the Lord’s opportunities. . . .  At the last moment we appeal to our Master, but His swift hand makes up for our delays by instant and effective action.

Are you in a whitewater time?  Pray!  Our Lord will lift you up.