Powerful Prayers and God's Heart

 

    Jonah 2:1-10  reads, Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’ The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God. When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!” And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.

    In this passage, one of the things that we can see is the heart of a God who not only listens to prayers but is also deeply involved in answering them. I want us to explore three main points about God's answering heart: His power, His desire, and His wisdom.

1. God's Power to Answer Prayers

    There's no better place to start than acknowledging God's immense power. In Jonah's story, we see God's power time and time again. He created the storm, he created the fish, and he commanded the fish to spit Jonah up. He did all of this and still retained Jonah's life. It shows us God's sovereign power over all creation. Psalm 33:9 affirms this by saying, "For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm." Our God, who created the heavens and the earth with a word, certainly has the power to answer our prayers.

    Consider the story of George Müller, a Christian evangelist known for his faith and prayer. George Müller cared for thousands of orphans and never asked for financial support directly. Instead, he prayed, and God consistently provided for all their needs. George Muller put his faith in the power of God to provide for all his needs and we can as well. Such testimonies remind us of God's omnipotence in responding to our prayers. 

2. God's Desire to Answer Prayers

    Jonah's cry from the depths and God's immediate response is a testament to His desire to intervene in human affairs and bring about transformation. Not only does God have the power to answer our payers, but he has a desire to do it. It's one thing to know that God has the ability to answer our prayers, but it is even greater in knowing that God desires to do it!  In Ezekiel 33:11, God declares, "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live." This verse encapsulates God's earnest desire to see lives changed for the better.

   Just look at the life of Corrie ten Boom, the Dutch watchmaker who, along with her family, helped many Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust during World War II. Her courageous faith and prayers led to miraculous protections and provisions. Corrie's story shows how deeply God wants to be involved in our lives and answer our heartfelt cries. This is even more true when what we are praying for is inline with God's will.

3. God's Wisdom to Answer Prayers

    God's wisdom is evident in His plan for Jonah. While Jonah might have doubted the process, God's wisdom was guiding the way for a greater purpose. I am sure that Jonah would have never came up with the idea of being swallowed by a fish. Yet God's great wisdom is far beyond our own. Sometimes the path that we might take, is not the path that God desires to take. God not only has the power to answers our prayers, and the desire to do it, but He has the wisdom to carry those answers out. He can answer our prayers in ways that we might find impossible or supernatural, yet that is who God is! Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Some of you may have heard of a woman by the name of Joni Eareckson Tada, a quadriplegic woman who has inspired millions through her ministry. Though she prayed for healing, God’s wisdom led her to a different kind of healing—one that involved spiritual growth and a powerful ministry that has touched countless lives. 

Applying These Truths to Our Daily Lives

·        Trust in His Power: When facing challenges, remember that the God who answers prayers has limitless power. Start each day by committing your needs to Him, confident in His ability to provide.

·        Embrace His Desire: Know that God wants to hear from you and and answering your prayers. Make prayer a daily habit, sharing your heart with Him and seeking His guidance and intervention.

·        Seek His Wisdom: Be open to God's answers, even if they come in unexpected ways. Trust that His wisdom far surpasses our own understanding, and be patient as His plans unfold.

In conclusion, let’s be encouraged by Jonah’s story and the countless examples of God’s faithfulness. Our prayers are heard by a powerful, loving, and wise God who delights in answering them. So what are you waiting for go to God in prayer!