Jonah's Prayer from the Fish

Illustration of Jonah's Prayer from the Fish

Jonah uttered this prayer while trapped in the belly of the great fish after being thrown overboard during a storm that arose when he attempted to flee God's command to preach to Nineveh. In the prayer recorded in Jonah chapter 2, the prophet expresses thanksgiving for divine deliverance from drowning and renews his commitment to obey and proclaim God's word. This episode underscores key biblical themes of repentance, God's sovereignty over creation and human plans, and the possibility of second chances following disobedience. The account also serves as an Old Testament parallel to resurrection motifs referenced later in the New Testament.

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Details

Category
Distress
Prayed by
Jonah

Key Passages

The Prayer

Jonah 2:1-9

T1hen Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fishโ€™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 heardest my voice. 3 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. 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 for ever: 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.

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Did You Know?

1

Jonah prayed from inside the fish. one of the most unusual prayer settings in Scripture.

2

His prayer is full of quotations from the Psalms. Even in the belly of the fish, he turned to Scripture.

3

God heard him and commanded the fish to vomit him onto dry land. Prayer from the depths was answered.