Note 3 at Mt. 14:28: It is important to analyze Peter's statement. Peter was overwhelmed when he saw Jesus walking on the water and he wanted to do the same. While there is nothing really wrong with his desire, the request he put before Jesus was totally wrong. He didn't ask the Lord if he wanted him to walk on the water or if his faith was up to it. Instead he said, "If it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water." What was Jesus going to say, "It isn't me. Don't come."?

There are no other examples in the Word of God where someone walked on the water. Jesus had a definite reason for walking on the water; however, Peter simply wanted to see if he could do it. God will permit us to do things that are not His perfect will for us (Ps. 106:15; Rom. 12:2).

Many times we hinder our own prayers by the way we ask things of God. We say, "Do you want me to do (a) or (b)?" The Lord may not want us to do either of the choices. We should offer a third choice--(c) none of the above. We should trust God's wisdom and let Him even select the options.

If Peter had phrased his statement to Jesus differently, Jesus might have answered him differently.