Jesus was walking by the sea of Galilee,
When He saw two brothers, casting a net into the sea.
Andrew was the name of one of the brothers,
And Simon, now called Peter, was the name of the other.

Jesus called to the two, while walking by the sea;
I will make you fishers of men, come after me.
At once they left their nets.  They didn’t hesitate,
Or worry it would make them, for a meeting late.

Jesus kept on walking, by that Galilean sea.
He saw brothers James and John, sons of Zebedee.
They were in a boat, mending their torn nets.
He called to them, they didn’t stop to complain or fret.
Seeking to follow Jesus, out of the boat they went.
To follow the Lord, they seemed quite intent.

Dear Jesus, may we follow You, like these fishermen devout.
May we drop what we are doing, when to us You call out.
May we hear Your voice above the din and rattling clatter.
May we have ears to listen, quickly drop what doesn’t matter.

Drop things that keep us from You, and from Your holy will.
We know this may not be easy, but a long trudge uphill.
Yet through You, we can do all things, for You are omniscient.
And if we rest in Your will, Your grace will be sufficient.
In our weakness You are strong.  In Your will we are protected.
And it is by our weakness that Your power is perfected.

We pray for grace on loved ones now immersed in so much strife.
They’ve dropped nets, that they were mending, to follow a disordered life.
Call to them now dear Jesus, like you called to the sons of Zebedee.
Grant to them the grace they need, that they may be set free.

Help them now to follow You, abandon selfishness,
Transform them from slaves of sin, to slaves of righteousness.
May they be quick to follow.  With sin, may they grow hugely bored.
May all seek to do Your holy will, our Maker and our Lord.

(Based on Mark 1:14-20)