Prayers

Let’s just cut to the chase. When our house is on fire, most people will begin to pray. Everyone sooner or later needs help. The Bible makes it clear that God is available always, everywhere, and for everyone. There are no prayers too big or small. We all struggle with anxiety and worry. It’s a natural result of being human. Life can throw us a curveball. Insecurities begin to bubble up around us. We’re not Jesus.

The key is how we handle anxious moments. The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6 - “Don’t

worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

God wants to help. He is there for us. Big and small prayers matter to God. Not just desperate prayers when in danger; everyday sort of events too. Even though we are sometimes caught off guard, God is never surprised. Trust God for everything, big and small.

This weekend at Journey Church Cynthiana we’re diving into the Bible once again for a little guidance and support. Our series takes a look at the desperate prayer of Jonah, inside the belly of the big fish. Sometimes, people like us find ourselves at the bottom of the deep blue sea.    

“1 Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from inside the fish. 2 He said, ‘I cried out to the LORD in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the world of the dead, and LORD, you heard me!’ ” Jonah 2:1-2 NLT

Jonah reassures us our God, who is BIG and always busy doing good, never fails us. He answers our distress call from the deepest, darkest places on earth. When we’re having a really bad day, we need relief. Our friends may tell us, “I’m thinking of you today.” This is nice to know, what we really need are friends praying for us, and with us.

God hears everything, knows everything, and is everywhere. God answers prayers; often in the worst imaginable life situations. Never give up on God. I say this often and find it true for all of us: God is seldom early, but never late. Whatever the hardship, pray until God makes it clear His will for our human situation.

God often uses our weird circumstances for deepening our faith. God is still working, even while our pain is really bad. Because of disobedience to God, Jonah is in a tight spot. Jonah is thrown overboard by his friends; swallowed by a big fish. After 3 days and nights in the fish belly, God takes action.

When Jonah was near death, God caused the fish to vomit Jonah onshore. After the God encounter in the belly of a fish, Jonah has his turn-around moment. God gives the reluctant prophet another chance to GO where I send you!

Join us this weekend, as we explore Jonah chapter 2. God gives Jonah his second chance to GO - obey, do what I said.

Big and small prayers, God is with us. God answered JONAH’S BIG PRAYER. What’s the biggest prayer you’ve ever prayed? Give me a call. I’ll buy coffee. I would love to hear what BIG prayer God answered for you!

Go God.