Collect for Trinity 4
2 Corinthians 6: 1 – 13
Mark 4: 35 – 41
The Bible contains lots of references to storms – the drowning of Pharaoh’s army, Noah’s flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Jonah trying to escape God’s request, the disciples on the Sea of Galilee, Paul’s shipwreck off Malta, and the prophecy in Revelation of the storm that announces Jesus’ second coming.
But there are other types of storms – not physical ones at sea, but storms in our lives. Paul certainly had his, as he is not shy of telling us: ‘afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labours, sleepless nights, hunger’. Often all at once – ‘When sorrows come, they come not as single spies, but in battalions’, as said Shakespeare’s Claudius.
But Paul treated both hardship and comfort alike, rising above them through the grace of God. The disciples were experiencing a gale that would barely compare to the storm they would experience in Christ’s Passion – but they, and we, are also taught to trust and to rise above whatever happens, to fulfil our commandment to love irrespective of the cost. He is at our side, and we can smile at whatever storms may come.
It wasn’t only the wind and sea that will obey Him – the whole of heaven and earth will kneel before Him as Lord.
Previous Posts
Praying Together March 29th 2026
These things are worth meditation and thought, as we enter this Holy Week – but the even more important question that we can only answer for ourselves, is embodied in twelve straightforward words written by Charles Wesley.
How can it be, That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Praying Together 22 March 2026
“Lazarus, come out.” He calls Lazarus by name. Even death cannot triumph, and so it is with sin. There is no depth or distance to which human being can go that can prevent them from hearing that call. It is up to them to choose to accept or deny it.
Praying Together 15th March 2026
Simeon, though, didn’t just hear about the Messiah being incarnate in the child – he also knew that the child’s destiny would involve pain and suffering in order to fulfil His mission. And Mary knew too. The consolation of Israel – of the world – would cost her the life of her child.
Praying Together 8th March 2026
And in turn, we are challenged to become messengers ourselves, however unsuitable or ill-equipped we might feel.
Praying Together 22nd February 2026
If we are to appreciate the gentleness of a lamb, we need to know its opposite. If we are to understand what safety is, we need also to experience the possibility of danger.
Praying Together 15th February 2026
Perhaps, when we pray, we need to remember it is the Jesus on the Mountain to whom we address our prayers, the one whose face shines like the sun and transfigures our faces as we radiate in His light.
Praying Together February 8th 2026
Is Jesus suggesting, not to eat and drink? And is he saying we should not wear clothes but go naked?
How unrealistic is this, and how depressing – we need to eat and drink, and we need clothing.
Praying Together February 1st 2026
Christ’s words are given to all His people in the face of the difficulties we ourselves face in life. We claim them and are assured of Blessing. And that is all we need.
Praying Together January 25th 2026
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Praying Together 18th January 2026
In prayer, we ask: Who is God calling to come and use their specific individual gifts to continue to build His Kingdom in the future?
His reply is clear.
“You”, He says.
Praying Together 11 January 2026
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
Praying Together 21st December 2025
Joseph’s example is one of love, human reaction, vocation and ultimate obedience to his Creator. So we rightly celebrate both Mary and Joseph as the chosen parents of the Christ-child. But we must also remember that they were ordinary people with human emotions who lived extraordinary lives.