I called out of my distress to the Lord, and He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice.

                                                                                                               Jonah 2:2 

So Jonah has been delivered from the depths of the sea and certain death. But now he will spend the next three days in the belly of the great fish. So what did Jonah do with that time? The answer to that question is that he prayed. That’s right. He spent this time talking to God. And where does Jonah begin in this divine conversation? He begins by worshiping God and thanking Him for His deliverance. “ I called out in distress and God answered me. I cried for help and God heard my voice.” This is the testimony of a man running from God and the calling on his life. This is the heart of a man who chose to do the most important thing any of us can do in the midst of failure and disobedience…pray!

As believers, we have the distinct privilege of talking to the Creator of the universe in any situation, at any time. When we fail, we often feel distant from God and perhaps we find ourselves being reluctant to converse with Him. But it is in times of failure and disobedience that we find running toward God the key to our being victorious. We don’t have to be in the belly of a great fish. As Christians, we have tremendous promises in scripture regarding prayer. Here are four of them:

1. There is great reward in private prayer.

But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 

                                                                                                                     Matthew 6:6 

There is a time to pray with other believers. There certainly isn’t anything wrong with corporate prayer. However, Jesus teaches us that the prayers that are rewarded are those prayed in secret. Spending time with God is the most rewarding thing any of us can ever do. Prayer is a private conversation that we have with our Creator and Savior. It requires no one else’s approval. It doesn’t depend on a formula or ritual, it simply is sharing our heart with the One who loves us. Neglecting time spent with God can result in spiritual atrophy. Just as we prioritize spending time with those we love, we must also prioritize our time with God. In this is great reward.

2. We are to come before God with boldness and confidence.

 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He (God) carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 

                                                                                                       Ephesians 3:11-12 

Jesus understands us (Hebrews 4:14-16). He has walked this road yet without sin. It comes as no surprise to God when we fail. We must make sure that our failures, shortcomings, and weaknesses do not hinder our drive to confidently come to God in prayer. Our confidence comes through faith. Our boldness through the assurance that Jesus has already accomplished what is necessary to have fellowship with God. When we shrink back from this amazing truth, we are the ones who lose. We must not allow anything to cause our confidence in God to wane. By faith, approach the throne of grace with confidence.

3. We must pray in faith.

But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

                                                                                                                       James 1:6 

If there was ever a truth from scripture that needs to be proclaimed to the church unapologetically, it is this one. Jesus teaches us to pray believing (Mark 11:24). We are to live in the reality that nothing is impossible for us who believe (Mark 9:23). We need to understand the greatness of God’s power toward those of us who believe (Ephesians 1:19). And James echoes these same truths when he instructs us that as we pray, “we must ask in faith without any doubting.” We must go to God privately, confidently, and with the assurance that what we ask, we already have. We can either be like the waves, driven and tossed around or we can boldly access our God and Savior. The choice is ours.

4. Our prayers are powerful and effective. 

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 

                                                                                    James 5:16b 

Finally, we are assured that, as believers, our prayers are effective. It is unfortunate that many seem to think that prayer is just a formality that we go through, believing that God is left unchanged by it. But that wasn’t true for Moses when he prayed for the people of Israel (Exodus 32:14). Nor was it true for Hezekiah who asked for additional time and received it (Isaiah 38:4-6). And it’s not true for us as believers. James tells us that the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. Given that we are the righteousness of Christ and that our righteousness comes by faith, all of our prayers should be considered powerful and effective. Prayer can and does change things. We should believe nothing less.

Jonah spent his time in the belly of the great fish talking to God. What about us? Are we spending regular, quality time enjoying the presence of the Lord? There is great benefit for those who do!