But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Jesus' walk on water is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible, but upon closer study, I realized I didn’t know it as well as I thought. The general gist of what I knew was this: the disciples are in the midst of the sea during a storm, Jesus approaches them by famously walking on water, and Peter walks out to Jesus but, becoming scared, asks Jesus to save him (which he faithfully does).

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Now, I could have sworn that Peter walked out after Jesus called him into the storm. But it’s actually Peter who posits, “Lord, if it is you…tell me to come to you on the water” (Matt. 14:28).

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I recently heard a pastor describe this moment as Peter’s prayer request, as his ask of God, which makes this situation slightly more interesting. This isn't Jesus' test of Peter's faith, this is Peter's idea. This is his prayer. So, it begs the question: since Jesus himself grants this prayer, why does Peter begin to sink once he becomes scared of the storm? Isn’t Jesus supposed to be strong enough to support us when we’re scared? Aren’t we supposed to hand over our fears so that the Lord of the universe can fill us with his peace? Shouldn’t Peter be kept from sinking, even when—maybe especially when—he becomes fearful?

But prayer is not simply a design to help us ask things of the Lord. Prayer is how we develop and maintain an intimate relationship with Him and his timing, will, and purpose. Prayer is how we stay near to our Father. So, it is no surprise that the moment Peter stops praying, he starts sinking. Identifying Peter’s request as a prayer, a conversation due to his relationship with the Lord, reveals that the timing of Peter's fear is not due to him noticing the storm. Rather, the storm distracts him from praying and from the promise that Jesus made in that prayer when he responded, “Come."

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Prayer does not always keep us from sinking, unfortunately. We know too well that in this life, even in the midst of fervent prayer, Jesus does not grant every request. What does Peter’s story teach us, then, if it doesn't always turn out this way?

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First, it reminds us that we must not let the world distract us from the power of the Lord. The stakes are too high and the waters are too rough for us to take our eyes off of the Giver of Life. Second, it reminds us to call out to the Lord even when—especially when—we become fearful. When Peter begins to sink, he cries, “Lord, save me!” (Matt. 14:30). Even though Peter was quick to turn his attention away from the miracle Jesus had just granted, he was equally quick to return to his prayer life with the Lord. When things in my life become hard, my first reaction is often, "What can I do to get myself out of this? What do I need to do next?" Peter does not spend time asking himself what to do. Instead, he cries to the Father he knows is watching. Jesus isn't distracted by the storm, and Peter knew that when he called, Jesus would answer. Friends, know that Jesus hears you when you call, and he will "immediately," as he did for Peter, reach out his hand to you too (Matt. 14:31).

Lord, help me remember that you perform miracles. Do not let my circumstance draw me from knowing that you are good. I want to reap the blessings promised in Jeremiah 17:7: "Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him." God, provide me with confidence in you. Let my soul be blessed by the ease that is found in knowing that you are immediately with me. While I may have to wait for your timing, I do not have to wait for your presence or a relationship with you. God, show me the places that keep me from trusting you. Please, Lord, deepen my prayer life so that I can be confident in your presence. Love me and lead me, God, to you. Amen.