Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of that fish – a perfect metaphor for hitting rock bottom in life. It was there that Jonah was able to reflect on his choices. His prayer is recorded for us in Jonah chapter 2, and it’s an example of how we should pray when our choices leave us in a dark place. Let's break it down into three steps.
Step 1: Admit
The first step is to admit the trouble you’re in. This might seem obvious, but it’s a classic move for troublemakers in every generation. Even the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous start with an admission: “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.”
It’s not clear why Jonah suddenly got honest about his situation. Maybe it was the nagging sense of guilt that follows disobedience. Perhaps it was the panic that comes with a near-death experience. Or possibly Jonah was simply claustrophobic. Whatever the case, he prayed:
Jonah 2:2-6 He said, “I cried out to the LORD in my great trouble.... I called to you from the land of the dead... I sank beneath the waves.... I sank down to the very roots of the mountains...."
Jonah took an inventory, and he acknowledged that he was in a dark place. He got specific, and he even wrote it down. He was done with denial, and that was the beginning of his victor
Jonah 2:3- "You threw me into the ocean depths.... buried beneath your wild and stormy waves. Then I said, ‘O LORD, you have driven me from your presence.'"
Jonah knew that the storm was the catalyst for God’s hand of discipline. And instead of railing against God for it, he simply acknowledged it. He knew that God was treating him like a son, and he deserved what was coming to him.
Sometimes God has no choice but to discipline us. It’s never fun, but it's always for our good. For some people, rock bottom is the only place they’ll look up – and admit the trouble they’re in.
Step 2: Affirm
The second step in our rock-bottom prayer is to affirm who God is – and that he’s able to save. The twelve steps say it like this: “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” For a Christian that “Power” has a name – the Lord. Jonah knew it too:
“I cried out to the LORD in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and LORD, you heard me! ... I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O LORD my God, snatched me from the jaws of death!"
Jonah affirms three things about God in his prayer: “he answered me,” “he heard me,” and he “snatched me from the jaws of death!” Jonah’s “great trouble” caused him to run toward God instead of running away from him.
Take a careful look at Jonah 2 and here’s what you’ll find: Jonah never mentions the fish in his prayer. Instead, he mentions “Sheol” – the Hebrew place of the dead. Surely Jonah expected to drown when he was thrown overboard into the raging sea. Down he sank, and then everything went black.
Here’s the point: we’re not always aware of God’s rescue plan, even when we’re right in the middle of it.
Step 3: Align
The final step that Jonah models for us is to align ourselves with God’s plan. Remember: Jonah got into this mess because of his misalignment at the beginning of the story. He rejected God’s calling on his life and ran in the opposite direction. Now, at rock bottom, he finally makes the right choice:
Jonah 2:7-9 "As my life was slipping away, I remembered the LORD. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple. Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies. But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the LORD alone.”
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