From Panic to Prayer

Some people can sleep through anything. I’m not one of them. If I hear one little noise, I’m awake. If a bird chirps, I’m awake. I’m a light sleeper.

Luke’s Gospel tells us that as the disciples battled a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus was sound asleep. Water was coming into the boat as it pitched back and forth. The terrified disciples woke up Jesus, crying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” (Luke 8:24 NLT). Yes, they panicked. But they also prayed. They cried out to the Lord.

When we are in trouble, that’s what we need to do. Faith and worry cannot coexist. One chases out the other. Do you know people who don’t get along? Maybe you want to invite one of them to your house, but you’re hesitant to invite the other. There is always a conflict. Faith and worry are that way. If there is worry, there is no place for faith. Faith is driven out by worry, and worry is driven out by faith.

Philippians 4 tells us, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (verses 6–7 NLT).

I love how the J.B. Phillips translation puts it: “Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus.”

It has been said that if your knees start shaking, kneel on them. When things are scary, pray. Cry out to God.