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Yesterday I referenced the scripture passage from  Matthew 14:22-33, to illustrate the impact seeing through spiritual eyes has on our faith. Peter was able to walk on water as long as he saw Jesus and not the surrounding chaos. Today I look again at that passage to see the power we have in prayer to find our way out of over whelming circumstances.

Matthew 14: ²² Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. ²³ After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. ²⁴ But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind wascontrary. ²⁵ And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”²⁸ Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” ²⁹ And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹ Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. ³³ And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!” 

Did you see the powerful prayer Peter offered to be delivered? "Lord save me". In those three words Peter said all that was needed. He acknowledged who Jesus is, Lord. Then he acknowledged his present need, save me. Jesus didn't need to know the history of the circumstances that brought Peter to this place of need. He was there. Jesus doesn't need to know the details of the circumstances that have brought you to your place of need. Jesus was there all along. Peter didn't give Jesus instruction on the best way to save him. He simply cried out to Jesus and trusted Him.

Sometimes we tend to think that when we pray, whether for our own circumstances or some one elses, that we need to give a lot of detail about the history of the situation. Consider the instruction we have about prayer in Phillipians.

Philippians 4:6-7New American Standard Bible (NASB)

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We are encouraged here to make our requests known. God doesn't need our version of the history of the circumstance. He was an eye witness. The only information that we may need to include about the history of the circumstance would be our recognition of where we went wrong, asking forgiveness and repenting. No farther explanation is necessary.

Likewise, we need to remember when we pray that God doesn't need instruction or suggestions on how to get us or others out of our circumstance. Remember the simplicity of Peter's request, "save me". Thy will be done. This submission to the will of God though is not an acceptance that we should expect the worst. In all things the will of God is best. His desire is to  - do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, Ephsians 3:20. Again it's simply that God doesn't need our opinion or suggestions. So if we want to make a suggestion regarding the outcome of a circumstance, I suggest that we make from God's word. There is power in praying God's word into and over life circumstances.

The final part that we need to remember as we pray is who or what needs to be changed. It's not God or His plan that needs changing. It's us. That's the true power of prayer, that we are changed. Spending time in the presence of and in conversation with the almighty, omnipotent,  God of creation will change us. Strongholds will be broken through our nearness to God.

Today as you pray, as you go through your day and new needs and circumstances arise, remember Peter's simple but powerful prayer. "Lord save me"