A painting by Sieger Koder
depicts Peter in the sea.

When Jesus invites Peter
to step out of the boat
and walk on water,
Peter steps out
in good faith.
But the sheer power of the winds
and the heaving waves
cause his faith to falter.

Peter begins to sink
beneath the waves
so that now only his hands
can be seen
as they stretch heavenwards
in a silent cry for help.

A hand reaches down
to clasp Peter’s two hands
in a vice-like grip
and we know
that Peter is now safe.

Lord,
Paul nursed Dolores
through her illness
last year
and is mourning her death
earlier this year.
On top of all this
Paul has been suffering
from relentless back pain
for five long weeks.

Paul is exhausted.

Lord,
please reach down to help Paul
in the same way
that you reached down
to save Peter.
Stretch out
your all-mighty,
all-powerful hand.
Send Paul
the help that he needs
and give to him
a sense of your presence,
a sense of hope
today.

© Claire Murray, 30th July 2019