Swamped

On that day, when evening had come, Jesus said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:35-41

Loving Creator, source of winds and seas

our planet is washed and renew by you

you clean our air with the mighty winds

and give us abundance from the blue seas.

Our world is stormy and we are swamped

gales of violence blowing on all sides

we tremble for death seems so near by

and we cry in the night for your rescue.

The disciples clung to the ropes and gunwales

hoping and praying to live through the storm

you slept until they woke you up with crying

and you calmed brother wind and sister ocean.

Help us to have faith even when we are swamped

let us trust that you are master of seas and skies

let us live as those who have been rescued again

grateful, joyful and full of your wondrous love. Amen.