Fishing with Jesus yields better results. Read Luke 5:4-7. My prayers have changed over the years. When I was 12 years old, I prayed for a new bicycle. I’m sure I ding-donged my parents too. My prayer was answered when I received a 10-speed bicycle. I rode it almost every day for the next four years. I was in the habit of asking God for things. Sometimes I got what I prayed for. Other times I did not. When I became an adult in my early 20’s, I continued to pray for things. I remember feeling frustrated when God did not answer my prayers. I wonder if the night before Peter met Jesus, he asked God for some fish? Peter, identified as Simon in Luke 5, was a fisherman. He fished at night with Andrew, James, and John. That night they came up empty. According to Peter, “We’ve worked all night and haven’t caught any fish.” The next morning Jesus is teaching on the bank of the lake. He instructs Peter to go fishing in deep water. Imagine the frustration. A carpenter turned teacher is giving a fisherman instructions on how to fish. Reluctantly, Peter said, “Because you say so, I will let down my nets.” I’m imagining that in Peter’s mind he would draw up the empty nets for the umpteenth time and say, “See, I told you so.” All night long Peter went fishing without Jesus. At that moment, he followed Jesus’ instructions. Fishing with Jesus yielded so many fish that their nets were about to break and they needed help bringing in the haul. I don’t pray for things as much as I used to. I have discovered that there is a difference between praying for what I want and what Jesus wants. What’s the difference? Results. Now I pray, “Not my will, but yours be done.” Now I pray, “God, what do you want me to do and where do you want me to go?” I do ask God for things like wisdom, courage, compassion, faith, hope, and love in order to more fully accomplish God’s will. The miracle catch of Peter while fishing with Jesus was enough to convince him to commit his life to following Jesus. Do you need a miracle catch in your life? Quit asking God for the things you want and start asking God to give you the things that God wants to give you. You will get better results.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the worker of miracles. I am your servant awaiting your direction. Send me into the deep waters of life so that I may bring the greatest yield for your kingdom.