Edition 59
Island
Last Edition Recap
How have you applied the last edition to your life?
Opening Prayer
Lord, in a busy world we often feel alone and disorientated—remind us that we always have you, and grow our faith. Amen.
Introduction
Two friends were sailing when a violent storm dragged their yacht thousands of miles off course and slammed it onto a reef. They survived, washing ashore on a small deserted island without supplies. After exploring, they realised the island’s resources couldn’t sustain both men. They fought over food and water, eventually agreeing to stay on opposite sides of the island.
As resources dwindled, the first man fell to his knees and prayed for water. Shortly after, it rained—but only on his side of the island. He prayed for food. Miraculously, a container floated ashore on his side. He prayed for rescue. Immediately, a ship appeared and saved him.
The captain sailed to the other side to rescue the second man, but found only a skeleton—he’d died long ago.
Years later, the survivor stood before God and asked, “Why did you answer my prayers but not my friend’s? Did he not pray?” God answered, “I answered both your prayers. You prayed for water, food, and rescue. Your friend also prayed—he asked me to answer all of your prayers.”
You may feel marooned and abandoned in this world, but you don’t know who is praying for you. In that, you are never alone.
Chat Point 1
What can we learn from this story about self-focus versus selflessness?
Spiritually, what does a deserted island symbolise to you—isolation, testing, vulnerability?
Emotionally, which of the two characters can you most relate to, and why does that resonate with you?
Do you know of all the people who pray for you, and how does the possibility of hidden intercessors affect you?
Have you ever prayed for someone else’s needs rather than your own, and what motivated that choice?
Read
Psalm 65, Psalm 20 , Mark 12:30-31 , Matthew 5:43-45
Key Focus
- Psalm 65:2 – “You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.”
- Psalm 20:4 – “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”
Chat Point 2
What stood out for you whilst reading these passages?
Does God answer prayer—can you share specific prayers God has answered for you?
What does Psalm 65 reveal about God’s character and his relationship to those who pray?
According to Mark 12:30-31 and Matthew 5:43-45, what is the command regarding our neighbours and enemies, and what are we supposed to do practically?
What does the story of the friends marooned on the island combined with these scripture readings teach us about God, about humanity, and about ourselves?
Final Thought
The second man’s skeleton held a profound secret: whilst the first man prayed selfishly for his own survival, the second man spent his final days interceding for his friend. He prayed that God would answer all of his companion’s prayers. And God honoured that selfless intercession.
Psalm 65:2 declares, “You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.” God answers prayer. But sometimes he answers prayers you didn’t even know were being prayed on your behalf.
Mark 12:30-31 commands us to love God and love our neighbour as ourselves. Matthew 5:43-45 extends this further: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” The second man embodied this perfectly—even in his own desperate situation, he prayed for his companion’s deliverance rather than his own.
You may feel alone and abandoned in this world, like being marooned on an island. But one thing is certain: you don’t know who is praying for you. Perhaps a parent, a friend, a stranger God placed in your path. Their prayers are ascending to the God who answers prayer, and you’re benefiting from intercession you’ll never know about until eternity.
Conversely, whose name should you write down today? Who needs you to pray selflessly for them whilst they’re stranded on their own island?
In the economy of prayer, you are never alone.
My Action
What key insight or learning from this session resonates most with me, and what do I sense God is inviting me to do in response?
Shared Prayer
What are your prayer requests?
Closing Prayer
READ Psalm 20 as closing prayer
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In-Between Chats: Personal Reflection
Is it possible that someone is praying for you right now and you don’t know about it—how does that possibility make you feel, and how might it change your perspective on feeling alone?
Write down the names of people you need to pray for this week—not their needs, but the people themselves—then commit to praying for them selflessly, even if it costs you something.
What does the story of the friends marooned on the island teach you about God, about humanity, and about yourself—and what will you do differently this week because of it?
Edition Writer: Rev Kevin Zondagh
Methodist Minister, Personal Development Specialist, Life Coach, Relationship Coach and Executive Coach. Founder and Owner of Exemplar Coaching Pty Ltd and CoffeeChatConnect. "We should have the desire to custom design the only life we have. After-all, we buy designer everything. How much more should we Live by Design, not by default?"