A Prayer from the Depths
“Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly.” Jonah 2:1
The Lord Jesus Christ told His disciples that when they prayed, they should go to their room, shut the door, and pray to their Father in secret. Jonah could not quite manage that; he was in a fish’s belly! But while the place of prayer was unique, the prayer itself could have been prayed anywhere on earth at any time.
When Jonah prayed, he was in a desperate situation. Physically he seemed lost in the belly of the fish. He felt as if the mountains were standing on top of him and the earth had closed and bolted its doors against him. He said, ‘Out of the belly of hell cried I. . . . I am cast out of thy sight’ (v. 2, 4). Unparalleled loneliness and despair must have gripped the prophet’s heart.
In this seemingly hopeless situation, Jonah prayed. He prayed at the best possible time, for when there are no props left, that is the time to look to God. He prayed in the best possible way, for he looked towards God’s holy temple, the place of sacrifice and reconciliation. In prayer, Jonah used the best possible arguments, for he kept quoting the Word of God, particularly the book of Psalms. And Jonah’s prayer was answered: verse 10 tells us that ‘the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.’
Whenever you find yourself in a hopeless position, when it seems that all is lost beyond hope of recovery, you must pray. The devil will tell you it is no time to pray; God’s Word shows you otherwise. Pray, quoting God’s Word to Him; pray in the best possible way, looking to the Saviour who died for sinners and made reconciliation for them at Calvary. ‘Men ought always to pray and not to faint.’ (Luke 18:1).
Quote: “The angel fetched Peter out of prison, but it was prayer that fetched the angel.” – Thomas Watson.
Daily devotions are from the book “Eagle’s Wings” published by the Free Presbyterian Church. © Free Presbyterian Church 1991- All Rights Reserved.
The Lord's Day Services
Sunday, August 29, 2021
11:00 a.m. Morning Worship – Pastor Saunders
5:50 p.m. Pre-service Prayer
6:30 p.m. Evening Worship – Pastor Saunders
Weekly Announcements
Wednesday, September 1st
7:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer
Note: There will be a brief meeting for the Sunday School staff after the Prayer meeting.
Advanced Announcements
Sunday, September 5th
11:00 a.m. Morning Worship – Pastor Saunders
Communion Service following the morning worship
5:50 p.m. Pre-Service Prayer
6:30 p.m. Evening Worship – Pastor Saunders
Wednesday, September 8th
7:30 p.m. Bible Study and Prayer
Whitefield Christian Schools
We give thanks to God for allowing Whitefield’s doors to open and welcome students on September 7th. Please pray for the staff, students and families, asking the Lord to pilot, protect and provide in every aspect of this ministry.
Whitefield’s motto text: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4
Behind the Wall
Behind the Wall is a ministry of the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church. We aim to assist parents by reinforcing the Gospel message being taught at home to their children. Each episode contains a Bible story, scripture memorization, and a children’s song. Please pray for this ministry, that God will use it for His glory.
A ten-week mini-series on the 10 Commandments will be available each week during the summer. A new lesson will be uploaded at 2:00 p.m. each Sunday. You can view new and archived episodes by clicking here.
The Shorter Catechism
A: The sixth commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own life,1 or the life of our neighbour unjustly,2 or whatsoever tendeth thereunto.3
1. Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm. (Acts 16:28a).
2. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed. (Genesis 9:6a).
3. If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? (Proverbs 24:11-12a).
The Children's Catechism - History
Q24: Why did the people try to build the tower of Babel?
A: To make them a name, and keep them from being scattered.
