There is a great story involving Jesus and his disciples that reminds us that even great men and women of God have times of doubt, especially when the storms kick up. Here’s the story from Matthew’s account of Jesus walking on the water and Peter giving it a try.

Matthew 14:28-31
And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

The disciples saw a figure walking on the surface of the water in the middle of the windy night with waves crashing against their boat. They thought it was a ghost. Wouldn’t you have thought the same thing?! They “cried out in fear,” and had we been there, we would have been screaming with them. But what they thought was a “ghost” was Jesus, and he comforted them with these words: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” That’s when Peter replied, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” And Jesus said, “Come.”

Peter stepped out of the boat and started walking on the water, just like Jesus. What would that have been like? He defied nature…until he realized he was defying nature. When the gusty wind and strong waves all around caused doubt, Peter was filled with fear and literally began to sink.

The circumstances around us are normally bigger than the strength within us. The winds of disappointment sting our souls, and the waves of difficult family matters beat us down. Unfulfilled dreams, job loss, mounting bills, grief, and depression crash against us. We take our eyes off Jesus and put them on ourselves, and soon, we feel as if we are drowning, submerged in doubt and fear. Thank God we can always talk with him, but when we are sinking, it’s time to cry out.

Peter’s prayer was short and to the point. He didn’t start with “Dear heavenly Father” or end with “In Jesus’ name. Amen.” There were no Christian clichés. The words came from a doubter whose heart was emptied of faith. But it was directed to the only One who can give us faith. As Peter was going down, he cried out, “Lord, save me.” And Jesus did. And he still does.

Father,
I pray for the person who feels themselves sinking, afraid of going under. I pray that they will feel the firm grasp of your hand pulling them up. Give them a heart filled with faith as they keep their eyes on Jesus. In his name, I pray. Amen.