Encounter: Disciples in the Storm at Sea

Scripture: Mark 4:36-41 NIV

Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Prayer:

Dear God,

I understand the disciples’ reaction in the storm because it is my story, too. When life gets rocky and I’m hit by waves of chaos or uncertainty, I become afraid. But you were in the boat with them—not just after you calmed the storm, but in the middle of it. You were there. That’s the promise I hold onto. In the middle of a diagnosis, when family crises surge, as financial insecurity swells, you are with me. You, almighty God, are as close to me as you were to the disciples in the boat. I do have faith, and I will hold onto you until the storm subsides.

Amen.

Read all of 40 Days of Prayer at easter.crossings.church.