Turning from Tarshish
04/09/21 – 04/20/21

Praying Your Way Out
By Michael Youssef, Ph D. 04/18/21
Read Jonah 1:17-2:10. Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the fish is honest and genuine. He doesn’t try to cover up his past failures; instead, he acknowledges his circumstances and seeks to restore his relationship with God. In repentance, Jonah desires to once again worship and serve God. “I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple'” (Jonah 2:4).
Jonah also shows us how to fill our prayers with praise for God, no matter the circumstances. It is easy to praise God when we have received a blessing or when things are going well, but it is often a struggle to praise and thank God when we are surrounded by a dark storm. Yet, praising God in the midst of tough times is the secret to victory.
Even when we don’t feel thankful for the circumstances, we can praise God for who He is as our sovereign, almighty Creator.
Prayer: Father, help me remember to praise You, even when I am in the middle of a storm. You are worthy of all my praise, no matter my circumstances. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11).