John 21: Friends, haven’t you any fish?

Scripture 

John 21:1–14 (NIV)

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.

“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”
When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.

When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” 

None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

Scripture Reflection
After a long, fruitless night, the disciples were tired, empty-handed, and perhaps confused about their future. Into that moment, the risen Jesus appeared on the shore with a simple yet challenging word: “Throw your net on the right side of the boat.” Their obedience led to a miraculous, overflowing catch, far beyond what they could accomplish in their own effort.

This moment reminds us that the risen Jesus still calls His followers to trust Him, even when past labors have seemed futile. His presence, His guidance, and His power can turn emptiness into abundance. Revival so often begins when the church, weary from striving, listens afresh to Jesus and obeys — even in unlikely ways — and discovers that He alone provides the harvest.

For those longing for awakening in New England, this passage is an invitation to listen for Jesus’ voice again, to cast the net where He directs, and to believe He still intends to fill those nets with a miraculous catch of souls.

Praying it UP / IN / OUT

UP: Worship Jesus as the Lord of the harvest, the risen Savior who provides abundantly beyond our efforts. Praise Him for His wisdom, faithfulness, and miraculous provision.

IN: Ask God to help you listen for His direction, especially in places where you feel exhausted or unsuccessful. Pray for fresh trust to obey His word, even if it defies your expectations or experience.

OUT: Pray that the church in New England would hear the voice of Jesus and courageously cast the net again, trusting Him to bring in a great harvest of people longing to know Him. Intercede for bold, obedient steps of faith in evangelism and witness.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,

The Great Fisher of Men. Thank You that You still stand on the shore, calling us to trust You even after fruitless seasons. You know where the fish are, and You invite us to follow Your voice.

Teach us to listen. Give us courage to cast the net again wherever You send us. Multiply our obedience into a great catch that will glorify You and transform lives.

We pray for Your church across New England: that we would not give up, that we would hear Your voice, and that we would see the nets filled with people brought into Your kingdom.

Prepare us to put out the nets one more time, at your word, and prepare for the catch. 

Amen.