"One day, Jesus said to His disciples, 'Let's cross to the other side of the lake.'...As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. The disciples went and woke Him up, shouting, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"
Luke 8:22-24
When the storms of life rush in, pray. Dust covered systems and bloated bureaucracies are no substitute for the power and authority of Jesus. Systems should never overshadow the Savior. Putting your faith in a system to see you through a crisis only leads to disappointment. Trusting in Jesus, in the face of a crisis, sees you through to the other side.
"When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then he asked them, 'Where is your faith?' "
Luke 8:25
Perfunctory prayer is powerless over a crisis. Panicked praying is often a step towards believing prayer. Believing prayer is a powerful weapon of warfare in the hands of a seasoned prayer warrior.
Jesus knows the difference, between going through the motions and the emotion of believing prayer. Speaking His name in panic is not the same as taking it in vain. He can transform genuine panic into genuine faith. Luke records that the disciples of Jesus had witnessed Him perform many miracles. As they rowed from one side of the lake to the other, a storm arose. Fresh from a recent victory over evil, disaster threatened. It always does.
"Master, Master, we're about to drown!"
Let's not get technical here. Prayer is calling on Jesus, in the face of a crisis. Believing prayer is trusting in Jesus, before the crisis is over. The disciples were calmed after the storm, but they were panicked in the middle of it. Believing prayer brings calm in the midst of a crisis, not just at the end of it. He asked.
"Where is your faith?"
Jesus wasn't asking for information. He was delivering a rebuke. He often sends a message in the form of a question. Jesus is the answer. Crises challenge faith. They are designed to bring us to the end of ourselves, and our systems, and to lead us to put our total trust in the Savior. Don't let your support system or your belief system overshadow your Savior. Jesus can be trusted to lead you through what He led you to. Remember, crossing the lake was His idea.
"Let's cross to the other side of the lake."
What Jesus starts, He always finishes. Crises of faith put His finishing touches on His disciples.
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you, will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 1:6
Crises don't build character, they reveal character. Prayer builds character. Believing prayer is the foundation of it. The greater the crisis, the greater the prayer. The greater the crisis, the greater the faith. Jesus is present in the midst of any and every crisis. The purpose of the crisis isn't to shake your faith, but to build it. Believing prayer places confidence in Jesus, not the system. Believing prayer feeds your faith in Jesus, and starves your fear of the crisis. Again, don't let the system or your fear overshadow the Savior. Trust Him.
Seasoned prayer warriors are often storm tossed, but they learn never to launch out on a great adventure, without a word from Jesus. Where He sends you, He goes with you. Believing prayer warriors cross over the lake, only at His command. Believing prayer passes through the crisis, comforted with a sense of His Presence.
NOTE TO SELF: Panic may come when your faith is tested by the storms of life, but through believing prayer, you learn to trust in Jesus. Prayer turns your eyes towards His calm face. This is the key to believing prayer. When Jesus panics, feel free to panic. 'Til then, trust Him. It is always too early to panic, and never too late to pray.
TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!