Be a Water-Walker

About three o’clock in the morning Jesus went out to them, walking on the water.

Matthew 14:25

Jesus, man/God of miracles, a miracle in and of himself; he healed the sick, cast out demons, saved our souls. Big, important stuff. Matthew records an incident that is miraculous, but not often considered in the same category. And yet it is a pivotal moment for many huge reasons. Also for one that seems insignificant because it’s something most of us are blessed to be able to do each day: he walked. Yes, on water. The fact that ‘he went out to them, walking’ is relatable.

So why is this such a big deal? Sure, we can’t stroll across a lake. But this walk of Jesus’ showed many things: his power over the storm, his appeal to Peter, and his revelation to the disciples who then recognized him as the Son of God.

Peter also walked. Verse 29: Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came to Jesus. This disciple suspended disbelief long enough to join Jesus on the surface of the lake. Now there are two men walking toward one another across storm-tossed waves. Very dramatic. Even though Peter took his focus off Jesus and put it onto fear, it opened his eyes in other ways.

Pray Americas, SEAPC’s prayer walking initiative to seek revival in the United States, involves, well, walking and praying. Instead of a lake, it will be taking place across the storm-tossed turbulence that is America in 2020. Waves of fear, unrest, and division are affecting so many—believers and non-believers alike—as one nation under God becomes one nation under siege.

What is needed? A dramatic miracle to calm the wind and the waves. What is required? That our eyes remain fixed on Jesus. It’s not our walking that will change anything on its own. It’s not even our praying. It is God hearing our prayers from heaven and intervening in the storm.

It helps with Scripture to read what comes before and after a key verse. Matthew prefaced this scene as Jesus went away by himself to pray. He ends it with Jesus healing all who touched him. There is a correlation between prayer, action, and healing. Those same principles can be applied today to prayer walking.

This nation-wide effort will be epic, as every county in every state participates. It has been an outreach already forged in hours of fervent prayer by the SEAPC team. Alone and together, they have sought God’s will during this unsettled hour. After hearing God’s voice, it is time to take action.

The action involved is three-fold. Pray. Walk. Pray.

Pray about your individual role. Ask the Lord of the harvest to identify workers. Is he sending you?

Walk through your state, county, parish, or borough.

Pray as you walk: for the land under your feet, for your state and its representatives, for the nation and national representatives, for renewed nationwide commitment to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Healing begins by reaching out. When Peter left the boat, he walked effortlessly on the water because he focused on Jesus. Only when he stopped seeking his Savior did he falter and almost drown. He had the faith to reach for Jesus once again by crying out, “Lord, save me!” When Jesus landed on the shore, people brought all their sick to him. They reached out on behalf of others. All who touched him were healed.

During Pray Americas, those who have absolute faith in Jesus’ ability to do the impossible will be walking and praying. God hears prayers, including intercessory prayer for others and for situations. He longs to have a relationship with every person on earth. There is not a single soul he wants to see perish. None. But we have to do our part.

Storms are not calmed without an outside influence. Distracted people are not saved from drowning. Those who can’t do it for themselves require concerned others to step in and do the asking.

Jesus walked across a tempestuous expanse to Peter. One to one. But the culmination of the walk on water was a walk to the cross followed by a walk out of the tomb. One for all. The One who calmed the seas can calm the land as well. America does not have to be splintered in the gusts. It can, instead, be put back together through faith, hope, love—and the simple act of prayer. We may not be actually walking on water, but prayer will keep our nation afloat.

Be a water-walker.  Cry out to Jesus.  See revival.