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. (Jonah 2:2)
How bad do things have to get before we turn to prayer? Read the story of Jonah, he let things get really bad.
Fearful to preach in Nineveh-No mention of prayer.
Flees to foreign land-No mention of prayer.
Hops a boat that meets up with a storm-no prayer.
Sailors fear destruction and ask him to pray-no prayer.
The sea gets rougher and rougher-no prayer.
Thrown overboard and swallowed by a great fish-finally Jonah prays the words quoted above. Jonah prays and rescue comes. Could Jonah’s story have gone easier if he’d turned to prayer earlier.
Could our stories go easier if we would only turn to prayer earlier? How bad do things have to get before we turn to prayer? Pray first, pray often-God is present with us, God is listening.
Lord God thank you that you hear and answer my prayer. In all circumstances you are present with me, help me feel your nearness and your guidance. Amen