URGENT PRAYING

At Jesus’ invitation, Peter stepped out of the fishing boat and onto the stormy waves. “Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ ” (Matthew 14:29–30). Peter cried out with urgency. If Jesus hadn’t saved him immediately, Peter would have drowned. So, Peter “cried out” in prayer!

Most of us have found ourselves between a rock and a hard place. That is exactly where the recently emancipated Israelites were. As Pharoah’s army approached from the west, the fear-filled Hebrews could see their dust boiling up in the desert. To the east, they could see the vast waters of the Red Sea. They couldn’t go forward, and they couldn’t go back… they were between a rock and a hard place! 

“The Israelites were terrified and cried out to the Lord for help” (Exodus 14:10). This prayer was urgent! Like Peter, they would certainly perish if God didn’t come to their rescue. Israel “cried out to the Lord!”

Through Moses, God spoke words of great comfort. “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation that he will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you must be quiet” (Exodus 14:13-14).

Do we pray with urgency? Do we cry out to the Lord our God, knowing that without His aid and assistance, we will surely perish?

“Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation … The Lord will fight for you.”

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).