Mad at God: A Study of the Book of Jonah Week 2: Desperate Prayers Message Summary: Jonah’s best moment happened in the worst place. Surrounded by God knows-what-digestive fluids, he confessed his desperation and praised the Lord’s salvation. The same thing happens to us. Sometimes we have to hit bottom to realize our constant need for God and the grace that reaches us in our lowest places. ✦ Jonah 1:15,17 — Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm…Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. ✦ How do you respond to desperate times? ✦ 4 Typical Responses: 1. Some people blame themselves. 2. Some people blame others. 3. Some people blame God. 4. Some people P.U.S.H. (Pray Until Something Happens) ✦ Jonah 2:1 — From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. ✦ Jonah 2:2 — He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. ✦ Jonah 2:3-7 — You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. 4 I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’ 5 The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. 6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit. 7 “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. ✦ God responds to rock-bottom prayers. ✦ Jonah 2:8 — “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. ✦ Jonah 2:9 — But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’” ✦ Jonah 2:10 — And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. ✦ Two Big Takeaways: 1. God’s discipline always has a loving purpose. Hebrews 12:10b-11 — …but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 2. God is generous with grace. Psalm 103:8-12 — The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Planting Jesus Roots GATHER — Agree/Disagree: When life gets really messy, most people run from God and his people instead of running to God and his people. GROUP — Jonah prayed about “worthless idols,” that is, temporary things that try to become more important to us than God himself. Discuss with a friend which idols you are most likely to want, love, trust in, and/or fear losing more than God. GROW — Reread Jonah’s prayer from Jonah 2:2-9. What did Jonah believe about God? List at least five things. GIVE — Summers can be a challenging time for our service teams. If you are able to volunteer, please let Amna know by emailing her at amna.tasior@922ministries.com. GO — Do you know someone who thinks that the church would burn down if they showed up? Next week is the perfect message for them to hear. Homework: Jonah 3 (Hashtags: prayer, suffering, hope)