Jonah: Big Fish, Bigger GodIsampula

Rock bottom prayers

Have you ever hit rock bottom? Like when people are telling you what you said at the party but you can’t remember a word of it? Or when you are Googling “divorce lawyers in my area” for the very first time? Or when you think for the first time about why you do what you do and wonder how many of your “good works” have been fueled by bad motives?

Here’s the tricky part: When you hit rock bottom, reaching out to the Most High God is hard. As much as you need God, sometimes you don’t run to him because you feel so far from God. You wonder if he wants anything to do with you. You wonder if he’s even listening. You’re disgusted with yourself, so wouldn’t a holy God who hates sin be even more disgusted? Why bother to ask him for help?

If that’s you, I want to tell you that God responds to rock-bottom prayers. Even if it’s your fault that you’re there, God responds to rock-bottom prayers. Even when you’re that low, God will respond from on high. Here’s the proof: “From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God” (Jonah 2:1). Jonah, the rebellious, runaway prophet, prayed . . . and God answered!

There is no place, no matter how low, that is too far from the ears of God. Call out to him! Cry out for mercy! The God who loves the world, including those who’ve hit rock bottom, has promised to listen.