The Hearer of Prayer

He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. - Mark 4:39

He did not hear the roar of the storm in His sleep, but the moment His disciples cried out for help He woke up.

What a powerful image!

He is never asleep when His people call Him. Amid the craziest circumstances of this world He always hears the smallest cry of prayer. He never too tired to listen to the requests we make in our distress.

We have another illustration of this same quickness to hear our prayer in the hours of Christ's suffering on the cross. His life was ending. His own pain was enormous. Around Him a storm of emotion surged. Many cursed Him. Amid all this hate He was silent. He did not respond to all these insults and curses. Then amid the jeers of the crowd there came a voice of prayer. It came from one of the crosses beside him. It was the heartfelt cry of a soul - “Lord, remember me.”

And in all the turmoil of the hour He heard this feeble request. Despite His own pain He gave instant answer. Do not doubt that this Jesus always hears prayer. His love is always watching, ready to catch the quietest note of distress.

Though He awoke suddenly in the middle of the storm and His disciples fear, Jesus was calm and peaceful. Here we have an illustration of what Christ's peace was, and of what He meant when He said, “My peace I give unto you.” It was thus He moved through all the turbulent scenes of His earthly life. . . and your life too!

“TheVineToday” – WB’s Vineyard Journal