Prayer Places

“From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord.” Jonah 2:1



Prayers for help have risen from many places—foxholes, delivery rooms, and math class, to name a few, but perhaps the least likely location might still be the belly of a whale. However, the slim chance of the spot didn’t curb the passion of the plea. “From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.” This was no ordinary, perfunctory prayer. No oft-repeated platitudes were offered. No “religious-sounding so I will sound religious” phrases were articulated. This prayer was not fake or formal but was the most bona-fide bellow for help God had heard in a while—and certainly in Jonah’s history.


“In my distress I called to the Lord…from the depths of the grave I called for help”(Jonah 2:2). As he sank to the “roots of the mountains,” with water at his throat and seaweed wrapped around his head(Jonah 2:5), Jonah’s prayer rose to heaven, and God heard. “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry…You brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God.”


We should always pray(“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thess. 5:17), but often we opt for other alternatives. So much around us distracts us and deceives us into thinking that we don’t need God’s help or that we don’t need to heed God’s Word. Out of habit (and the hope of appearing holy), we still send up the usual comments of gratitude and occasional requests to get what we want. As long as all is smooth sailing, our prayers tend to stay rather shallow. Sometimes it takes the depths of the sea to reach the depths of our souls.


So when you find yourself sinking, feeling like you’re about to drown and about to die, don’t hesitate to call to the Lord. In grace, He won’t close His ears because you’ve been complacent but will hear and will help.


Prayers from the belly come straight from the heart, but don’t wait until you’re in deep to pray with depth.


You need God on top of the water, too.