Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
Matthew 14:25-32
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Can you imagine the thrill Peter must have felt as he stepped out of that boat and onto the water to walk toward Jesus? He had seen the impossible, but now he was doing it—walking on the water.
And not just water, but walking atop the very waves that had threatened to toss their boat in the night. His eyes were fixed on Jesus, and his faith propelled him forward.
But then, something changed. The wind picked up, the waves crashed harder, and fear crept in.
As many of us do, Peter took his eyes off Jesus and began focusing on his circumstances. And in that instant, doubt overwhelmed him. He began to sink into the dark, raging water.
In that moment of fear and desperation, Peter cried out just three little words: “Lord, save me!”
And Jesus did.
Immediately, Jesus reached out and caught him, lifting him back to safety.
The Lord didn’t require a long, eloquent prayer. He didn’t need the perfect words. All it took was a simple cry for help. Lord save me! And Jesus was there.
Maybe you feel like Peter today. The circumstances of life swirl around you like wind and rain. The weight of your struggles feels heavy, and you find yourself sinking under it all. Health, work, family, relationships, finances… I don’t know what circumstances have you worried and are distracting you from Jesus.
But just like Peter, Jesus doesn’t require much. If you simply cry out three little words, “Lord, save me!” Jesus will be there.
That’s the beauty of grace. We don’t need to have everything figured out. We don’t need the perfect prayer, the right words, or a life that’s fully in order. We just need to recognize our need for Him and call out to him with our heart and voice. That’s all it takes.
No matter what you are facing today, whether it’s fear, doubt, or the weight of life’s challenges, remember that Jesus is always near. If the storm is raging and your faith feels small, just call out to Him. “Lord, save me.”
And He will.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus and the opportunity to follow you. As you experienced yourself, life can be difficult at times. No matter my situation in life, may my posture be always the same, “Lord, save me!”