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 10th August 2025
And while we think of the things we value most, do we remember that we are of such value to God, that His Son was prepared to go into the flames for us?
Praying Together 27th July 2025
In a word, it is all prayer, a rich sequence, choreographed in different moments of gathering, praise, listening and communion.
Praying Together 20th July 2025
Jesus comes to us in many ways and with many faces. Are we aware we may ‘entertain Angels without knowing it?
Praying Together 13th July 2025
May we never miss meeting your gaze,
in the eyes of our sibling, the stranger.
Praying Together 6th July 2025
Always remember that ‘success’ is simply doing His will – it’s not necessarily achieving the outcome we would ourselves consider to be ‘successful’. Leave that definition with Him.
Praying Together 29th June 2025
Jesus is looking for commitment. Absolute, unconditional, commitment. When I think of what that means, I’m always minded of Martina Navratilova’s remark: “The difference between involvement and commitment is like ham and eggs. The chicken is involved; the pig is committed.”
Praying Together 22nd June 2025
As Christians, may we never regard mercy and compassion towards others as weakness, naivety or gullibility, but display the traits which demonstrate that we follow a Saviour who came to rescue those left behind.
Praying Together 15th June 2025
You couldn’t fly a kite inside a church building –for the Kite to fly you’d have to go into the windy street outside. Where does that place the need for the Spirit to act?
Praying Together 8 June 2025
Of all the strange things happening on the Day of Pentecost, perhaps the most puzzling is when God appears to have second thoughts. In Genesis 11, He makes it difficult for people to understand each other’s language
Praying Together 1st June 2025
The song by Mary Black, ‘Bless the Road’, while written as from a parent whose child is leaving home alone for the first time – maybe first day at primary school, going to college, beginning an independent life – always puts me in mind of the thoughts and blessing of Jesus as He prays for His disciples before His Ascension.
Praying Together 25th May 2025
‘Peace I give to you… do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.’
His peace is not remote and only there at the end of things – His Peace is with us now.
Praying Together 18th May 2025
So the commandment is a challenge. To love those who betray you. Those who jeer. Those who wield the whips embedded with flint, hammer in the nails, pierce your side.