²³ Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. ²⁴ Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

²⁶ Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.

²⁷ The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”

Matthew 8:23-27

Dear God, I’m convicted this morning that I haven’t prayed intentionally enough lately. I have a friend who had a mild stroke a couple of weeks ago. I prayed for him and his family initially, but I haven’t prayed for him enough lately. I have a young man who is special to me, and he has a hard life. I’ve thought about him a lot, but I haven’t prayed for him enough. There is a host of others–too many for me to count–for whom I haven’t prayed intentionally enough.

It makes me wonder if I really (and I mean really) believe in the power of prayer. In your power to intervene and move the needle in someone’s life. I see this story from Matthew about you calming the storm, and the disciples just left asking, “Who is this man?” It’s like they’re asking, “What have we gotten ourselves into with him, and what is the limit of what he can do?”

Father, I look at my stroke victim friend and ask that you please move to solve the myriad of problems facing him. Healing. His wife’s health. Limited financial resources. Limited family able to help. Please use this pain in all of their lives. I know he has a grandson who has issues. I know there are other things facing them as a family. I know he has responsibilities in the community. I know there are a lot of people who depend upon him. While you are healing him, while you are strengthening him, please make this pain count for your plan and your glory in a lot of lives and the community. For the young man I know, his situation seems so awful to me. Help him, Father. Help his family. Help him to grow. Use the pain for your glory. I have so many people running through my head right now. My children. My wife. My family. The couples my wife and I have done pre-marital counseling with. our priest, my coworkers and volunteers, our patients and clients, our political leaders here and in the rest of the world, Oh, God, please be powerful. Calm the storm. And if it is not your will to calm the storm. If there is destruction you need to happen, give us peace and comfort as we sail into it. All for your glory. All for your plan.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen