What if this storm we’re experiencing is His doing?

Praying the Right Prayer in the Eye of the Storm – Part 2

Before you begin make sure you’ve completed the previous prayer-workout, click this link:
“Part 1 – Introduction to Praying the Right Prayer in the Eye of the Storm”

There’s a famous story about Jesus and His disciples on a boat during a terrible storm. Jesus was asleep while His disciples were fearful for their lives and trying to navigate their boat through a severe storm. Listen to this. Jesus had no fear because He was asleep. The storm that impacted the disciples didn’t impact Him. Listen closely. Normal thinking would have you ask the question why was there a storm in the first place since Jesus was onboard? Uncommon thinking would say that the storm came on purpose, His purpose. 
It wasn’t until the disciples made Jesus aware of the problem they faced that He did something, and the problem wasn’t the storm. Let’s take a look so you can see and maybe see why praying against COVID19, your pandemic, isn’t the real prayer, but a thirty-thousand-foot prayer problem. 

Before I give you this.

[Pray This]
Lord, open my eyes so I might see what is really in front of me. Open my mind so that I mind gain new understanding. And open my heart, that I might apply it in my life.

Remember this is an exercise in prayer. At any point you feel like talking to God, do so that’s what this is all about. If you have thoughts or questions to ask Him, do so. 

What I’m about to show you is powerful, important, impacting, and uncommon. This will make all the difference. Don’t hear what I’m not saying. I’m not in any way saying don’t pray about COVID19 or the epidemic you’re experiencing. I’m only opening your eyes to “the what” you should be praying for more so than COVID19 or a general epidemic. Let me show you what I mean.

The storm came upon the disciples as they were crossing the lake. The storm in this case would represent COVID19, your epidemic. This being the case you’d think that the disciples would have asked Jesus to do something about the storm (COVID19), but they did not. Let me show you what they said instead.

The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” – bible.com/bible/116/MAT.8.25.NLT

“Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke Him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”  – bible.com/bible/116/MRK.4.38.NLT

They didn’t want to drown. They were facing a situation where drowning was their biggest concern not the storm. In the same way, this is what we must do. They said “Lord, save us from drowning.” They went to Jesus with the real problem they were facing. As a result of their prayer, Jesus calmed the storm (COVID19). 

What I’m saying to you is find the things that are being impacted by the storm and pray for that. You see I’ve not been directly impacted by COVID19 sickness, but my work environment has changed. Pray for the Lord to save your job and the job of your coworkers.

[Pray This]
Lord, I’ve been praying for You to remove the storm when I should also have been praying over the areas in which I’ve been directly impacted. Therefore…
I pray for You to restore the church services of our church. As we consider returning, make it safe for us.
I see fear in the eyes of those who are shopping at the local grocery stores. I pray for the people who shop there so they can have food to eat. I pray they no longer have to be scared when they simply go to the store.
I pray for my parents who are labeled “at risk”, they still have to travel and get out. Life hasn’t stopped for them and I’m asking You to keep them safe. [insert your own situations here.]
Lord, I hate bothering You will You’re resting (asleep), but we’re drowning, don’t You care? We’re waiting on You to calm our storms in Your name.

How has COVID19 or your disaster directly impacted you? This is the prayer you should pray. Maybe COVID19 or equivalent disaster isn’t your main concern; it’s okay. Pray your prayer; it’s’ the only one that matters.

The main question you should ask is what’s the point of this storm. Why is this storm happening to me? For the disciples it was not enough that Jesus was in the boat with them. Maybe it’s not enough just to have Him in your life and never make your request known. Jesus was right there the whole time the storm occurred (COVID19 ravaged the land), but it wasn’t until He was addressed, waken from His sleep, that He moved to resolve their request. (After hearing that you gotta feel like praying.) 

[Pray This]
Lord Jesus,
Why is this storm happening to me? [call out your problem] I won’t remain in my state of fright or fear like most do. I realize You’re riding in the boat with me as I experience this storm. Unlike the rest I’m going to wake You up. I’m going to cry out to You for help. I’m going to ask you “don’t You care” that I’m going through this? I’m inviting You into my situation and circumstance so that You might quiet my storm. In Your name!

If you’d like to continue with the next prayer-workout, click this link:
“Part 3 – What if my prayer is for something that’s not a problem?”