The Storm Held Back: God's Power
We had one chance. I had found inexpensive tickets to fly up to visit my daughter in New Hampshire. It was a quick trip, so we only had a sliver of time to go hiking in the White Mountains. We both looked forward to reconnecting and making memories. However, the forecast predicted thunderstorms throughout the one day we could hike. Still, we prayed.
It wasn’t an elaborate prayer, just sincere: “Lord, You command the wind and the waves. Would You hold back the storm so we can enjoy this time together?” Then something beautiful happened. As we hiked to the summit of Hedgehog Mountain, we could hear the thunder echoing off the mountains around us, but the storm clouds never came our way. We hiked in peace that afternoon, surrounded by an occasional mist of rain that cooled us from the humidity. God’s presence felt close, as if He had joined us on the trail.
Psalm 107:29 tells us, “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.” (NIV) This verse doesn’t just describe a moment at sea, it also reflects God’s character. He has power over nature, over chaos, over anything that threatens peace.
Not only is He powerful, He’s also deeply personal. James 5:16 (NIV) reminds us, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Our prayers, even ones about weather during a small window of time, matter to God. He listens, and He responds. He chooses how to answer, but He delights in being invited in.
When we pray, we’re not just offering words into the air. We’re speaking to the same God who spoke the world into existence. And sometimes, He speaks back by calming the storm, not just around us, but within us, as well.
Our hike could have easily been washed out. Instead, it became a moment of grace with a reminder that God sees, hears, and cares about the little things in our lives. The rain held off, and we held on to something even more lasting: a shared memory of the power of prayer and a deepened trust in God’s presence. Whether the skies are blue or the clouds are thick, we can walk forward with this truth: God has power over the storm, and He listens when we pray.
Questions for Reflection:
- When have you seen God calm a “storm” in your life physically or spiritually?
- Do you pray about the little things, or only the big ones? Why?
