"Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."

When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the sea. He intended to pass them by. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, 'Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.' Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed. Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. Mark 6:47- 56 (NRSV)

This scenario reminds me of a former church of which I was once a member. This church had a lot of problems in it and the people seemed rather helpless and fearful. I asked others to join me in praying for the church but only 3 people [one at a time] joined with me. This was discouraging but yet on the other hand, hearing from God each time we prayed really encouraged me. Each week I and the other person prayed, and God would reveal a part of his plan for the church. So when that plan was put into action before my and the other person's eyes, we were prepared and not caught off guard. Meanwhile, the rest of the church [which never joined us in prayer] were always caught off guard and always so fearful. I bolded the one verse above because that reminded me of the peoples' reaction at that church.

God told me and the other person his plans, not because we were super saints, etc but because we took the time to pray and become intimate with God. He rewarded our time with him by sharing what was on his heart. This gave me a lot of stability in the midst of the storm at that church.