From the desk of Pastor Ben
Behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.”     (Matthew 8:24-25) ESV

Growing up in Pennsylvania, we had a lot of snow in the winter. One day, I was driving and got caught in a major snowstorm. I clutched my steering wheel so tightly my hands ached. Cars and trucks surrounded me as I drove on a traffic-filled highway. Suddenly, I hit some black ice, and my car started sliding. I tried to steer, but I had no control of the direction my car was going. A big truck was on my left but, thankfully, I was sliding to the right. I remember thinking, “Jesus, help!” — it was all I could think. Miraculously, no vehicles smashed into me. When I finally drove out of the worst of the storm, relief washed over me.
In crisis situations, sometimes, all we can manage is a desperate plea for help. The disciples had a life-threatening experience on the Sea of Galilee one day. They were in the middle of the lake, with Jesus sound asleep, when a massive storm rolled in. The huge waves toddled their little wooden boat like driftwood, and water gushed into it. They cried out to Jesus, “Help, we are perishing!” He awoke, spoke, and the winds calmed immediately. The storm I drove through didn’t instantly dissipate, but I drove through it, asking Jesus for help the entire way. He kept me safe.
In the midst of a crisis and chaos, many of us today would not use the words “Help me; I’m perishing,” but we would simply cry “Help.” Whatever words you use to pray urgently, things happen in heaven and earth when you call on Jesus. He will calm your storm. Don’t hesitate to ask Him for help.

Faith Step:     Are you in a storm? Write your version of a “Jesus, help me,” prayer and trust in the calm to come.