Surprising Prayers

Surprising Prayers

Prayer is a hot topic today. Since 9-11, when terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center, millions of people have subscribed to a weekly e-mail letter devoted to prayer for the President of the United States and the war on terrorism. The top three books on the Christian nonfiction bestseller list are about prayer, and a small inspirational book, The Prayer Of Jabez, has been on that same list for two years. And churches in America are beginning to experience renewed interest in prayer meetings.

While preparing this issue, I was surprised by how much Jonah’s short, prophetic book tells us about prayer. In fact, the centerpiece of each of its four chapters is a prayer that reveals something significant about communicating with God.

First, in spite of what some think, God apparently does hear and respond to the prayers of heathens. After the sailors “each cried out to his own god” unsuccessfully, “they cried to the Lord ... and the raging sea grew calm” (Jon. 1:5, 14).

Second, even though some say otherwise, God apparently also responds to the prayers of disobedient believers, even when they recite memorized prayers written by someone else. From inside the big fish, Jonah’s whole prayer was from the Psalms: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and He answered me” (2:2; Ps. 18:6).

Third, even though some, like Jonah, wish He wouldn’t do it, God does respond to the prayers of a “wicked” people who in fearful repentance “call urgently on God ... and give up their evil ways and their violence” (3:8-9). Finally, even though some can’t believe it, God wants to hear from his disobedient, disgruntled and depressed servants who openly complain about things that really bother them. Surprisingly, the book ends in the middle of their conversation, suggesting that it continues.

And these thoughts on prayer are just the beginning. To learn more about the Book of Jonah, read this month’s three Feature articles.

By Larry Ondrejack