Morning Prayer - You Who Wait On The Shore

Jesus,

I come before You with empty hands, just like Your disciples after a long and toilsome night on the Sea of Tiberias. I, too, often return to my old habits, to fishing in waters I think I know.

Peter said, “I’m going out to fish,” and in my heart, I follow him, relying on my own strength, my own experience, and my own plans.

And just like them, I, too, often experience a night with no catch. A night when I strive and struggle, only to find my nets empty in the morning.

It is a feeling of exhaustion and failure, a moment when I realize that by my own power, I can achieve nothing of lasting value.

Lord, Who Awaits Me on the Shore of My Failures

But You are already waiting for me on the shore. You stand there, in the dawn of a new day, though my weary eyes often fail to recognize You.

So many times, I do not recognize You in my daily life. And You ask me a simple, yet loving question: “Children, do you have anything to eat?”

I confess to You my emptiness, my “no.” And then, in my powerlessness, Your word speaks.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:4)

I, too, resist, Lord. I, too, want to tell You that I have already toiled, that I have tried everything. But help me, like Peter, to be able to say:

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” (Luke 5:5)

For when I obey Your word and not my own logic, a miracle happens. The nets fill to the brim, beyond all my expectations.

“When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.” (Luke 5:6)

Come and Eat with Me

When I come to You on the shore, You surprise me. You, Lord, have already prepared a charcoal fire, with bread and fish. You do not wait for my catch to feed me. You already have everything prepared. Your love and care are always one step ahead of my needs. Only then do You invite me to bring some of what You have given me.

And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” (Luke 24:41)

You are truly risen, and You are alive. And You desire to dine with me, to share life with me. You eat with me to confirm Your presence.

“They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.” (Luke 24:42-43)

Thank You for this breakfast on the shore, for this renewal of our relationship. Thank You for calling me back to Yourself after every failure and reminding me of my true calling.