I posted this prayer on my Light for the Journey Facebook page last week and its popularity inspired me to repost it here. The painting is by Malaysian artist Hanna Cheriyan Varghese, whom I met at Overseas Ministry Study Center several years ago. I was saddened to hear that she died not long after of cancer.
I love this painting which so wonderfully speaks of the peace that Jesus brings us in the midst of all the storms that wash over us. Though the prayer was not written to go with the painting for me it is a perfect match, reminding me that when we regularly find that place of inner retreat with God we are able to weather all the storms life throws at us.
Read through the prayer above and sit quietly in the presence of God looking at the painting. Read Luke 8:23-35 several times and allow God to speak to you. Are there places in your life where you are allowing the storms to swamp you? Are there places that you need to release your cares and worries to God? Write your own prayer out of your reflections.
As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.
The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”
The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”