Matthew 14:14 When he came ashore (expecting to be alone) there was a great crowd already waiting for him. When he saw them, his heart went out to them, and he healed those who lacked strength.
I find it very challenging that Jesus, wanting to be alone to process the devastating news of John the Baptist’s violent death, can somehow set that aside, and be present to the needs of those who have gone out of their way to be with him. I get grumpy or irritable under lots of pressure and then insist on my ‘blob’ time. As with an over-tired youngster fighting sleep, lots of ‘blob’ time is not the answer. Jesus seems to handle stress a lot better than I do.
He does good therapy on those who need it, then he turns to his disciples with the challenge to feed the crowd, and feed them well. It’s not just a quick bite – there will be more than enough to fill empty tummies.
Do your own prayer experiment.
The way Jesus prays is very instructive. He takes what is there (five loaves and two fish), holds them out, looks up to see his Father in heaven, gives thanks, then passes them on to the disciples to hand out. That is a good way for us to pray. We hold out what we have (don’t obsess on what you don’t have), we ‘see’ Jesus with us, and we consciously give thanks.
If nothing happens inside you or around you, try it again, especially the ‘seeing’ Jesus part.
So here is the prayer pattern.
- Hold out what you have.
- Picture Jesus. See yourself there in his presence.
- Give thanks. Maybe add some other words saying how it is for you, or for the ones you are concerned about.
- Respond and follow any instructions that Jesus gives you.
