Nothing will bring us closer to the Lord than being in the belly of a fish. When we experience intense suffering, the best thing we can do is to pour out our hearts to God. In today’s devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef examines the prayer Jonah uttered while in the belly of the great fish.
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[00:00:00] You are listening to MY Devotional, the Daily Devotional from Dr. Michael Youssef and Leading The Way. Praying the Word by Dr. Michael Youssef When we study the book of Jonah, we often focus on the miraculous journey he experienced inside a giant fish.
[00:00:20] Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah chapter 1 verse 17. Yet the more remarkable story is the transformation we see within Jonah through his model prayer during that underwater voyage.
[00:00:41] Nothing brings us closer to the Lord than being in the belly of a fish. When we experience intense suffering, the best thing we can do is pour out our hearts to God. Read Jonah chapter 2 when you get a few moments and ask this question.
[00:00:58] Why is Jonah's prayer an example for us? Well the reason is because Jonah is praying the Scripture. Many of the words he uses comes from Psalms. Jonah 2 9 says, but I, with the shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good.
[00:01:18] I will say salvation comes from the Lord. Now compare this with Psalm 96 1 through 2. Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord all the earth, sing to the Lord, praise his name, proclaim his salvation day after day.
[00:01:36] Psalm chapter 30 verse 3 also echoes throughout Jonah's prayer as he says, From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help and you listen to my cry, but you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit.
[00:01:51] Psalm 33 says, you Lord brought me up from the realm of the dead. You spared me from going down to the pit. If you're having trouble finding the words, do as Jonah did and rely on the very word of God to direct your tongue. Let's pray together.
[00:02:11] Father, we pray that when we go through times of suffering that you'll help us turn to you into your word, teach us to pray the Scripture like Jonah did. We pray this in the name of Jesus, amen.
[00:02:25] To take a deeper dive into today's devotional topic, check the show notes for links to additional resources and while you're there, subscribe to the My devotional podcast so you never miss an episode. My devotional is a ministry of leading the way with Dr. Michael Yusse.
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