LORD, SAVE ME

February 8th, 2026
by CRAIG HUDGINS

Lord, Save Me

Matthew 14:22–31

Matthew chapter 14 is where we’re going to be today.

The Bible says in verse 22, “And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.” After sending the crowd away, Jesus went up into a mountain apart to pray. When the evening was come, He was there alone.

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves, for the wind was contrary.

Then in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

When the disciples saw Him walking on the water, they were troubled and said, “It is a spirit.” They cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.”

Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.”

And Jesus said, “Come.”

Peter came down out of the ship and walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, “Lord, save me.”

Last week, I really enjoyed preaching from the story of the prodigal son, especially focusing on just three words—“and kissed him.” There was so much love and meaning wrapped up in that moment. Not in what the father said, but in what he did.

When I preach, I enjoy preaching the heart of the passage—the obvious truths, the main ideas—but I also like to look for the overlooked words. Sometimes it’s a phrase, sometimes just a few words tucked into the text that we almost read past.

This week, my attention was drawn to another short phrase—three simple words found in verse 30: “Lord, save me.”

A Sufficient Prayer

This is a familiar story, and Peter is doing what Peter always does—something dramatic. He’s bold. He’s out there. He’s willing to step up when nobody else will.

The storm comes. The ship is tossed. They see someone walking on the water. Peter says, “Lord, if it’s you, let me walk on the water.” And Jesus says, “Come.”

Peter steps out, and the Bible says he walked on water.

We give Peter a hard time because he sank—but let’s not forget, he walked on water. None of the other disciples did. How far he walked, we don’t know. But he walked.

Then he saw the wind. He became afraid. He began to sink. And he prayed one of the quickest prayers ever prayed: “Lord, save me.”

That prayer said everything that needed to be said.

He knew who he was talking to.
He knew what he needed.
And he knew why he was praying.

Sometimes we overthink prayer. We think it has to be long or eloquent. But the power of prayer is not in the length—it’s in the heart. Peter didn’t change his posture or his tone. He didn’t list the attributes of God. He just cried out what mattered most.

And that was enough.

A Brief Prayer

This prayer was not only sufficient—it was brief.

There are people who can pray and it feels like they’ve stepped into the throne room of heaven. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But there are times when a short prayer will do.

When someone stops short in front of you—“Lord, help me.”
When you stand up too fast—“Lord, help me.”
When the bills are due and the money’s not there—“Lord, provide.”

Peter was going under. All he could get out was, “Lord, save me.”

God hears those prayers.

Moms, keep whispering those prayers for your children.
Dads, keep praying for your families.
Teachers, keep praying over the kids you teach.

Short prayers still reach heaven.

A Prayer to the Right One

Peter didn’t cry out to the other disciples. He didn’t ask someone to throw him a rope. He prayed directly to the One who could save him.

His prayer was right—biblically and theologically. There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

If you want answers, pray to the One who answers prayer.

You can talk to me. I’ll pray with you. But don’t skip over Him. Take it straight to Jesus. Peter didn’t have time to ask someone else—he just prayed.

“Lord, save me.”