Prayer Tip--Don't be Afraid... Come!
Daily Scripture
Matthew 14:22-33
Right then, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake while he dismissed the crowds. When he sent them away, he went up onto a mountain by himself to pray. Evening came and he was alone. Meanwhile, the boat, fighting a strong headwind, was being battered by the waves and was already far away from land. Very early in the morning he came to his disciples, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified and said, “It’s a ghost!” They were so frightened they screamed.
Just then Jesus spoke to them, “Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” Peter replied, “Lord, if it’s you, order me to come to you on the water.” And Jesus said, “Come.” Then Peter got out of the boat and was walking on the water toward Jesus. But when Peter saw the strong wind, he became frightened. As he began to sink, he shouted, “Lord, rescue me!” Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him, saying, “You man of weak faith! Why did you begin to have doubts?” When they got into the boat, the wind settled down. Then those in the boat worshipped Jesus and said, “You must be God’s Son!”
Prayer Tip
Debbie Dellinger
This week’s sermon and GPS looks at something that often sends us to God in prayer – families! Joseph’s family is estranged and far apart geographically and emotionally. Their relationships have been marked by anger, jealousy, and hearts torn by abandonment and loss. Joseph, and the rest of his family, carry the burden of their own sins, and the sins committed towards them. It’s a big burden.
I know that many of you reading this today can identify with Joseph and his family. God wants to hear it all – what happened, how you feel, what burdens you carry, prayers for healing, prayers for understanding and honest prayers where you admit you are lost in the maze of family dynamics.* God also wants to hear your dreams regarding these relationships, even if you feel that you won’t ever see one of them come true. God most of all wants you to address your own sins where family dynamics are concerned, because your heart can’t really be healed until you do.
God hears our prayers for ourselves and the burdens that our family may have put on us, the hurts that have been handed out, the misunderstanding, the pain we may carry.* God also wants to hear our prayers of confession and requests for forgiveness for things we have said or done. God has promised healing for our spirits, the internal healing that helps us understand others and save ourselves from the pain.
Oh God, who gave us our family, and knows that we sometimes struggle to count that as a blessing, please hear our prayers and help us bring our hurts, anger, and all of our struggles with our family to you in prayer. Show us how to be healers to others, and how to allow You to heal our own hearts. Help us to remember, no matter what is going on in our family, You offer us unconditional love, grace, and healing. Amen.
