Power of Prayer

Once anxiety takes hold, it slowly tightens its grip; clawing to a point of mental and physical exhaustion. Despair sets in, and somehow intensifies as we dwell. Perhaps anxiety is not merely the lack of air we feel in that moment of desperation, but the lack of hope. What’s difficult is moving from a place of habitual anxiety to a place of habitual invitation towards the Prince of Peace to enter in; especially in the raw of our most exposing meltdowns. When we recognize the need to run to God in these vulnerable moments, and then do so, we are building a muscle of dependence on Him. No matter how weak of a ‘yes’ it is to lean in to Him, it’s still a ‘yes.’ Your small prayer is a welcome mat.

Once the welcome mat is laid, watch what He does. Though the prayer may not be elaborate in dialogue or ornate with long and regal verbiage, it still moves His heart. It shows Him that you desire conversation with your Father. While God already knows every little detail of your life, the conversation is important because it comes from a place of surrender. The focus naturally shifts from worry back to God as you come in weakness to seek His strength. Everything else just becomes far less important compared to the assurance that God gives you.

This is exactly what the disciples experienced in the midst of the storm. As long as their attention and focus were riveted by the storm around them, they failed to recognize the power and authority so near; a power that came from the man asleep on their boat. Jesus attributed their fear and worry to a lack of faith and to a lack of trust in His provision and plan. Sometimes our biggest breakthroughs may not come from a place of deliverance or a miracle, but rather in the midst of the storm itself. When Jesus stepped in, the disciples immediately recognized who He truly was. Even the wind and the waves obeyed Him.

In like manner, the wind and waves of your life must obey. He’s done it before and He’ll do it again, especially as you trust in the power of His name and the command of His voice. Surrendering to Him is an act of faith; a declaration that He is Lord over wind and waves; the calmer of your storms. In a moment of surrender, He simply says “Be still and know that I am God.”

Reflection

Take a moment to lay out a welcome mat and invite the Prince of Peace to give you His perspective on your storm. Ask Jesus for grace to walk in greater levels of trust with Him.