…I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice, For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple (Jonah 2:2-4).
This is so inspiring! Imagine the content of Jonah’s prayer, despite being in such a distressing situation: A great fish had swallowed him up, after he disobeyed God’s instruction to go to Nineveh and proclaim His Word. In the belly of the fish, he refused to give up; instead, he prophesied his victory. He declared, “I will look again toward thy holy temple!”
This is a prophetic prayer, and it’s important for God’s people to pray this way, where you speak the will of God into being by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Observe further, Jonah’s prophetic utterances from the belly of the fish: “They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD” (Jonah 2:8-9).
You may read this and think, “Oh, well, Jonah said this after he came out from the fish’s belly;” no. He spoke those words while still in the belly of the fish. He knew that looking at the circumstances would make him forsake the mercies of God. He had come to realize that God is a deliverer and a rescuer, so he refused to dwell on his predicament. Therefore, while still in trouble, Jonah began to thank God for delivering him. He was a prophet of God who understood the Word of God. He knew that God calls things that be not as though they were (Romans 4:17). Don’t ever be moved by the unpleasantness of your present circumstances; don’t observe negative symptoms of lack or ill-health; prophesy your victory. Proclaim the Word. Begin to worship God in the midst of any seemingly hopeless situation you may find yourself in. Declare that you have overcome; thank Him for your deliverance and victory.
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the Word of life in my mouth. I declare in the Name of Jesus that your Word is prevailing in my life, finances business and health, and in all that concerns me. I walk in continual victory, in Jesus’ Name.Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
Romans 4:17
Living Bible (TLB)
17 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say that God made Abraham the father of many nations. God will accept all people in every nation who trust God as Abraham did. And this promise is from God himself, who makes the dead live again and speaks of future events with as much certainty as though they were already past.
Mark 11:23
Living Bible (TLB)
22-23 In reply Jesus said to the disciples, “If you only have faith in God—this is the absolute truth—you can say to this Mount of Olives, ‘Rise up and fall into the Mediterranean,’ and your command will be obeyed. All that’s required is that you really believe and have no doubt!
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1 Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 12:22-48 Judges 9
2 Year Bible Reading Plan: Romans 9:1-3 Psalm 116-117
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