“The disciples got into a boat, and set out across the lake for Capernaum. By now, it was dark, and a strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed three miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water, and they were terrified. But he said to them, “It is I. Don’t be afraid.” They they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore.”

 

Often that is the case. There is a very simple solution to a seemingly insoluble problem, and when we ask Jesus, over many days or weeks sometimes, it presents itself.

 

Taking Jesus into our boat, as the Psalmist describes, was the turning point for people in their troubles.  Terrible things happened, then they cried out to the Lord in their distress, and things changed.

The missing secret ingredient in problem-solving is prayer.

I am running a small business, and as Bill Johnson mentions in his book “Dreaming with God” it’s amazing how precise and brilliant the instructions God gives you can be when you cry aloud to him in your distress.

And in other areas of life. Friendships, let’s say. It’s often most effective to keep one’s eyes open for open doors and God’s plans rather than to rush ahead, squandering one’s limited energy. See the patterns, see who wants to be friends with you; see who you want to be friends with; see what dots God is connecting. That will be far more effective than simply rushing ahead.

Sometimes, we go through a difficult time because God is working on our character. At other times,  however, we are forfeiting grace and wisdom because we have not prayed. When we ask Christ, he shows us the solution.

 O what peace we often forfeit,

 O what needless pain we bear,

 All because we do not carry  

   Everything to God in prayer.