June 24

The Hearer of Prayer

Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. — Mark 4:39 BSB

Though the storm raged, Jesus didn’t wake at the roar of the wind and waves. But the moment His disciples called for help, He woke immediately. What a revelation of His heart! He never sleeps when His people call out to Him. Amid the wildest tumults of this world, He hears even the faintest cry of prayer. He is never too weary to listen to the supplications of the distressed.

We see another example of this during Jesus’ crucifixion. Though He was in unimaginable agony, and a storm of hatred and mockery surrounded Him, He remained silent. He didn’t respond to the insults hurled at Him. But amid the jeers and derision, a single voice of prayer broke through. It came from the thief on the cross beside Him—a humble cry: “Lord, remember me.” And even in the midst of His own suffering, Jesus immediately responded to that prayer. Don’t doubt that He always hears prayer. His love is always alert, ready to hear the faintest plea for help.

Though the storm was fierce and sudden, Jesus awoke calm and peaceful. Dean Trench once said, “It is such cases as these—sudden, unexpected terror met without a moment’s preparation—that test a man’s spirit, showing the strength and purity of his character.” Here we see a glimpse of what Christ’s peace is like. It is the peace He offers to us: “My peace I give unto you.” This is the peace that sustained Him through all the turbulence of His earthly life, and it is the peace He offers to sustain us as well.