Faith Daily | 3 August 2021

PRAYER of the DAY - PENTECOST APBA p568

Almighty God,

whose beloved Son for our sake

willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross:

give us courage and patience

to take up our cross daily and follow him;

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Matthew 14: 22-36

22Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. 25And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” 28Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

34When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35After the people of that place recognized him, they sent word throughout the region and brought all who were sick to him, 36and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by: Rosemary Bruton

Jesus has just fed over 5000 hungry people and talking to them about the Kingdom of God. He has also just received the news that his beloved disciple and cousin John has been beheaded by Herod. After dismissing the crowd and directing his disciples into the boat, he retreats to the mountain to pray. My reading of this passage suggests that Jesus spent most of the night praying, on his own to His Father.

We can’t do ministry, we can’t do real Christianity without withdrawing and finding that quiet place to be refreshed, repowered and guided by our Father in Heaven. Take the hurt, take the need for direction, the people you care about, the people you are concerned about, your ministry, take it to the Lord in prayer.

I believe it would have been between 3am and 6am (according to the Roman division of the night), Jesus being so full of power from praying, went out onto the water to his friends. It is interesting to consider the miracles that Jesus performs on the water. He commands the wind and the waves to be quiet and still. He delivers a bounty of fish for his friends and then he walks effortlessly on what is impossible to walk on, water. Power over his creation.

What tremendous power do we have access to as people of faith? There is nothing that we cannot do without God. I do believe when we offer up our fears, what challenges us, to God our Father, there is nothing that he will not do for us. Amen!

FINAL PRAYER: Celtic Blessing

May the road rise to mee you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face\may the rains fall softy upon your fields.

Until we meet again

May God hold you in the hollow of his hand. Amen.