Jonah
In Jonah, we see three types of prayers
The “Running from God Prayer”
Marked with little to no communication with God. Jonah 1:4-6
Jonah 1:4-6, 1:10
Jonah 1:4-6, Jonah 1:10 NIV84
Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us, and we will not perish.” This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.)
The “Thank You for Saving Me Prayer”.
Marked with promises to God, thanksgiving, and prayer. Jonah 2:1-9
Jonah 2:1-2, 2:8-9
Jonah 2:1-2, Jonah 2:8-9 NIV84
From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry. “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord.”
The “Self-Centered Prayer”
Marked with blame, personal requests, whining, and an absolute love of one’s self. Jonah 4:1-3
Jonah 4:1-3
Jonah 4:1-3 NIV84
But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”
Question
What is healthy prayer?
Sermon Notes
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