The War of Prayer – Wk 4

The War of Prayer
Enduring Faith
June 27, 2021

1 Peter 5:8
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 

What consumes your mind controls your life.

Matthew 14:22
Immediately Jesus MADE the disciples get into the boat and GO on ahead of him to THE OTHER SIDE, while he dismissed the crowd.

God will take you to places you have not chosen to go in order to produce in you what you were incapable of producing on your own.

Jesus gave zero details, only direction.

Matthew 14:23-25
²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 

Is it possible Jesus’ tardiness was a teaching tool?

Matthew 14:26-29
²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. ²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” ²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹ “Come,” he said.

The “what ifs” work both ways.

“What ifs” can feed our faith or fuel our fear.  

Matthew 14:29
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 

Matthew 14:30-31
30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

What if Jesus’ statement is about distance rather than depth?

Grace fills the gap.

Faith and grace go hand in hand!

1 Peter 5:6-7
⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Homework