Let’s begin our examination of Jonah’s prayer in chapter two this morning. He is in an unusual place, to be sure, but his prayer is sincere, heartfelt, and, most likely, smelly! He is somewhere safe — and he is grateful that God has spared his life from drowning.
Jonah prays “to the Lord his God.” This was a deeper prayer than the sincere one offered by the pagan sailors in chapter one. Jonah knew “the Lord his God” and he speaks with the One who rescued him.
Several truths jump out at me as I look at this prayer:
(1) Jonah prayed when he was distressed (v. 2). That’s a great time to pray!
(2) Jonah recognized that GOD was behind the sailors’ action in tossing him overboard: “You hurled me into the depths”; “all your waves and breakers swept over me” (v. 3).
(3) Jonah sensed that he was “banished” from the Lord’s sight, but he found hope in looking towards God’s holy temple (v. 4).
(4) Jonah realized (as he sailed through the air and plunged into the ocean’s depths) that his life was over. Engulfing waters and straggling seaweed were certain to bring an end to his renegade days (v. 5). (to be continued)
My prayer: “Lord of the sea and the ocean depths — Remind me that YOU are the Creator and that creation listens to You and does Your will. Help me, as a creature made in Your image, to do the same! In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Dr. Larry Dixon
larrydixon.wordpress.com 