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Day 2 Jonah 2:1 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly, 2 And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heard my voice. 3 For thou had 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. 4 Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. 5 The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. 6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me forever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God. 7 When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. 8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. 9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD. 10 And the LORD spoke unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land. There are many tales about whales swallowing people, the most popular being about Pinochio. However, we all know it’s a children’s story, and not based on any kind of fact. Where do stories like that come from? They come from the story of Jonah, a true story about how God saved a man from death, by having a fish, whale, swallow him. Jonah was three days and nights praying to God, and God heard his prayer of repentance, and the fish vomited Jonah onto dry land. As Christians, you know the power of prayer. You know that when things look their ultimate worst, and you don’t think anything more could happen, God is working on your behalf to bring you out of the worst situation of your life. It could feel like you’re in the belly of a fish, as Jonah was. It could feel like your life is over, as Jonah thought his was. However, as long as he was alive, Jonah prayed, and that is what you do too. You don’t give up until God answers your prayer. You will never know the power of answered prayer if you give up before God answers you. Do you have a situation in your life that can only be answered by prayer? Don’t give up! God is working on your behalf to bring about your miracle. However, Satan is working just as hard to make you believe you will never get any answer to your prayer. He does his best to convince you God does not hear you. Don’t let any outside forces dissuade you from the truth. The truth is God does hear your prayer and is working on your behalf. You will see the fruit of your prayer, if you don’t give up. Jonah never gave up, and the fish vomited him out on dry ground. Let’s pray: Father, help me focus on you, knowing you will answer my prayer. Many times, it feels like I’m in the belly of a fish, and life just caves in on me. Help me know you hear me and will answer. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 15 March 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay