Nougat 12

Of course, having learned a thing or four from Jesus about prayer yesterday, I was looking at Peter’s two prayers. Before and after he confirmed that it was Jesus. Here’s today’s Holy Nougat

“Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭28‬, ‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Precise Prayer

In Fear, Peter cried out ‘if it’s You, prove it!’, but

In Faith, Peter cried out ‘Help!’

There’s a world of difference between the two prayers; though they were uttered by the same person and mere minutes apart. Let’s revisit the contexts yet again.

Peter and the disciples were headed home from a normally deserted place some distance away, even by boat.

Though they might have been night sailors, they were no match for the sudden storm that broke in on their euphoric experience: the feeding of the 5,000+.

If the night storm was not enough, as the boat tossed a figured appeared atop the waves, and was coming towards them. Their fate was sealed – it had to be the spirit of death and they were terrified!

Screaming and panicked, they heard the figure speak, suggesting that it was Jesus – BUT, Jesus had never done that before. Neither to walk on water or appear suddenly.

Peter put the figure to the test: Prayer 1

Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.

The prayer was direct and Jesus complied

But the storm continued to rage. So although Peter walked on water, the danger was still present. Panicking that the danger was still surrounding him, Peter determined that Jesus needed to help him to safety. “He was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.” Prayer 2

Can you spot the difference?

Do you see what I heard?

Peter’s prayers were very specific. But the first one was not precise. Leaving the others behind, brother Peter climbed out of the boat whilst the storm raged. That was bold faith; but the storm still raged! So much so, it became a distraction on his journey to Jesus. That first prayer was uttered in total apprehension and panic! Rather than ask for the storm to cease; Peter only tried to check Jesus’ creds (credentials and credibility) by testing the spirit and asking to walk on water since he needed his fleece.

I believe that he asked amiss. What do you think?

There are times when we cry out to Jesus in the midst of Life’s Lifing, and we ask Jesus to intervene and then wonder at the results. But siblings, if we specifically ask amiss, especially if there’s a lesson attached to our storm, the storm will remain. When we read a few days ago that Jesus walked towards the disciples, it never once suggested that the storm ceased where He walked.

That is an assurance that Jesus journeys with us in the storm, and even invites us to join Him through the storm. In fact, He’s always with us – storm or not. While it may be less stressful to walk on the water away from the problem; if we don’t ask precisely, our none-specific prayer won’t transform our problems. That’s what James teaches in his epistle – “ … when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.” (‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬).

In the second prayer, Peter was focusing on Jesus when the problem came knocking again. Peter was floundering. But this time his faith was bolstered. While he did not know how to escape the storm on his own, he knew Who would. So Peter uttered a very precise prayer. Lord, [I dunno how You’ll choose to do it; but I know You can. Please do what You must and] save me!

Yes. I heard all that in the cry.

James 5: tells us that the prayer of faith will heal the sick [and rescue a drowning Peter]. For the fervent (ie passionate), effectual (or precise) prayer of the righteous (ie faith–filled!) is transformative! In both instances, Peter was passionate. But and though direct, the first prayer didn’t pinpoint Peter’s precise prayer point. Perhaps resulting from lingering fear; perhaps he was caught up in the moment of proof.

In learning from this moment, we can opt for precise prayers that bask in the presence and seeks practical solutions. What say we?

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May all we seek be found in Christ