Introduction: Are you ever afraid? How should you pray? Sometimes we “SINK” in despair! Are you sinking in doubt? Peter did.

Look how he responded. But more importantly, take note on how Jesus reacted to his cry.

1. Peter was afraid! (Matt 14:25-30)

“And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.”

When Peter got distracted, he became afraid. He took his eyes off Jesus. Then he sank like a rock! But in that moment of fear, he called upon his Lord. It was a short but to the point prayer. “Lord save me”!

We can pray the same way.

2. Jesus heard his heart cry and rescued him! (Matt 14:31)

“And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”

Our Lord heard Peter’s cry and immediately saved him! 

By the way, the word “doubt” is διστάζω,(dis-tad’-zo), which means to waver or to hesitate.

In other words, evidently Peter was preoccupied by looking in two different directions. One minute, his eyes are on Jesus. The next minute he is overtaken with fear because of the size of the waves and the howling of the wind. Do you ever listen or watch the news and start to sink?

Do circumstances ever get you down? 

Conclusion: Praise our Lord because He can not only walk on the water but He can also calm the storm. If you are sinking today, cry out to Jesus! He will save you.