Sinking times are praying times for God's people. Peter neglected prayer when he stepped out onto the water. But when he began to sink? Ah, then danger made him a man of prayer. His cry came late, but not too late.

In our hours of physical pain and mental anguish, we find ourselves driven to prayer as naturally as a shipwreck is driven to shore by the waves. The fox runs to its den for protection. The bird flies to the trees for shelter. And the suffering believer? We rush to the mercy seat for safety. Prayer is heaven's great harbor of refuge. Thousands of storm-battered vessels have found shelter there. So when the storms hit, set full sail for that harbor!

Short prayers are long enough. Peter gasped out only three words, but they were enough. Not length but strength is what God desires. Nothing teaches brevity like desperate need. If our prayers had less tail feathers of pride and more wing, they would soar all the higher. Flowery words in prayer are chaff to the wheat. Listen—all the real prayer buried in many a long-winded speech could have been said in three words, just like Peter's.

Our extremities are the Lord's opportunities. The instant a sharp sense of danger forces that desperate cry from our lips, the ear of Jesus hears. And with him, ear and heart go together—his hand does not linger. We may wait until the last possible moment to call on our Master, but his swift hand makes up for our delays by instant and effectual action. Every time.

Are you nearly engulfed by the boisterous waters of affliction? Then lift up your soul to your Savior! Rest assured: he will not let you perish. When we can do nothing, Jesus can do all things. Enlist his powerful aid on your side, and all will be well.