Prayer Focus-Commitment of Jonah

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Focus, we take a look at the prayer of commitment from Jonah.

For a time, Jonah tried to run away from God’s preaching assignment in Nineveh, but through a storm, ended up in the belly of a big fish. That is when Jonah expressed his change of heart in this prayer, found in Jonah 2:7 to 9.

“When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed, I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’

Jonah was given a second chance to follow through on his assignment. When we lose our way, a conversation with God can bring us back to our senses and into the flow of God’s will for our lives.

The prayer of commitment from Jonah is worth examining for a faith-focused life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com