Jesus calls us to walk with him. To each one of us he says “come!” StF 250 Jesus calls us! O’er the tumult Prayer Loving God, you remind us over and over in your Word that you are always with us. You tell us not to fear and you draw us close into your Presence. You are the only place we find refuge in the storms that surround us and the only place we can find peace and strength. We ask you for your words of truth and power to strengthen us and we lift our hearts to you. Thank you for your goodness and thank you that you know the journey that we undertake. Forgive us when we ignore your call, when we choose to go our own way, when our attitudes and unkind behaviour and words cause hurt to others and when we are blind to the injustice, suffering and pain experienced by so many in this cruel, unkind world. Help us to open our minds and our hearts and to be beacons of your light and love to others. In the name of your dear son Jesus. Amen Reading. Matthew 14 v 22 -33 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. 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. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 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. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 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?” Hymn StF 629 God of my faith, I offer you my doubt. Message Jesus had been busy feeding the five thousand and caring for them. Afterwards he needed time alone with God his father. So, he sent the crowds away and the disciples off in their boat and went up a mountain to pray. We all need regular contact with God when our lives are at their busiest – time for renewal and rest. Jesus was alone that evening and the disciples got caught up in a terrifying storm, their boat battered by the wind and waves. Our lives are sometimes like that too – peaceful one day and then overwhelmed by problems and difficulties – our personal storms. For the disciples Jesus was there – he came when they needed his calming presence. Perhaps he had realised that the wind had become so violent that they could be in danger. We are told that he walked on the water – however he got there he came with those reassuring words “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Those words are ours to grasp too – during our own “storms” in life Jesus is there just waiting for us to call upon him. Peter was so relieved and excited to see Jesus that his fears left him briefly and he wanted to get across the water to reach him. Jesus invited him to “come” and Peter started the journey before being overwhelmed by his own fears and beginning to sink. Isn’t that a parallel with what happens to us at times? We need to turn to Jesus just as Peter did and have the courage to say “Lord, save me.” The logo of the World Council of Churches is perhaps appropriately of a boat on a stormy sea and this reading reminds us that however small our faith God is with us and ready to uphold us as we go through the challenges of our own lives. Julian of Norwich or Mother Julian Lived in the 14 th century as an “Anchoress” or religious recluse and lived through the Black Death – the pandemic of bubonic plague which killed millions of people around the world. She was critically ill and almost died at the age of 30 but the visions she had at that time led to the strengthening of her faith and her writings which still exist today. One of those says “he did not say, ‘you shall not be tempest tossed; you shall not be work-weary; you shall not be distressed’. But he did say, ‘you shall not be overcome’.” She was acutely aware of God’s love, of his power and of his presence. The RNLI is the United Kingdom’s Sea rescue service, and it will sometimes simply “stand by” and keep watch on a boat or ship in trouble ready to intervene if the situation deteriorates and it is called upon to help. Our God could be said to always be on standby too. In Hebrews 13 v 5 we are told that God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” We do not have to face our troubles alone, but we do need to trust him and call out to him. Have you the courage to put your hand into the hand of God and trust him to “never leave you or forsake you”? Hymn StF 624 Calm me Lord, as you calmed the storm Prayer of Intercession Loving God, There is so much turmoil in this world. We see on the news the storms of war. We pray for those who are caught up in conflicts: for soldiers having to fight for their country; for their families worrying about their safety; for those living in fear of their homes being destroyed. Lord, help everyone to look to you to be their support and guide. We pray for all those caught up in ongoing conflicts in Yemen, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Niger. Help them to find their comfort in you. We pray for those whose livelihood is on the sea. We pray for their safety. We pray for migrants who are travelling in tiny boats across huge seas trying to reach safety and a better way of living. We ask you to bring them safely to shore. We pray for their families who wait anxiously for news of their safety. We pray for the people smugglers too, that you would give them eyes to see that they are dealing with human beings, made in your image, who deserve respect and love. We pray that you will convict them and help them turn away from what they are doing. We pray for those who are living through rough seas now: for those who are suffering with constant pain; those facing difficult diagnoses; those who mourn the loss of a beloved family member or friend; those who are depressed or anxious. Lord, reach out and lift them. Help them to know your presence and reassure them that you will never let them go. Loving God, we think about climate change and it’s effects this summer, so wet in some places, life-threateningly hot in others. We pray for farmers watching their crops ruined by rain, while fire and drought ravages that of others. Help those in power to work together to find solutions to the problems of climate change and bring hope for the future. We pray for all who have taken exams this summer. Give them peace of mind and heart as they await their results and look forward to uncertain futures. Be with them all as they negotiate the storms and calms ahead of them. Loving God, we commit this week to you. Go before us into all the places we expect to be and help us to find you in any new and unexpected places and situations. Help us to listen to your voice. Help us to see all the possibilities that you have in store for us. Lord, when the storms get close: save us, lift us, and help us keep our eyes fixed on you. Thank you for being there for us in all the storms of life. Help us to step out in faith and follow your lead, secure in the knowledge that you are always there to lift us up. Amen Hymn StF 645 Will your anchor hold in the storms of life? Blessing
Peter only knew life as a fisherman. But he got out of the boat and followed you, Lord. Help us to hear your voice, get out of our boats and follow you. In the week ahead, may the world and its problems decrease as you increase in our lives. Keep us focused on your way, looking ahead and trusting you. Amen.
1 Comment
Margaret Squire
13/8/2023 09:29:18 am
Lovely lovely message it did megood tohet
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