White Flag Prayer

There’s been much said about flags lately, so it brought to mind the white flag that represents surrender.  There are certain times when we are called to surrender.  Have you ever prayed a desperate prayer – one from the gut of despair?

You may have experienced times when you cry out and feel you must not have been heard. Maybe like Jonah, when his prayerful echo bounced off the stomach walls of a great fish. I’m sure he would have waved a white flag of surrender if one floated by.

It’s likely you know the story of Jonah, but enough to believe it? It may sound like a whale of a tale to some, but in a little over 1300 God-breathed words, it tells a true story of a man who really lived, where he lived, and how God used his life in that place during that time.

The only thing outrageous about it is God’s grace.

Jonah’s story of reluctance, rebellion, repentance and restoration assures us that God is eager to save anyone, even His own obstinate prophet.

There must be a little of Jonah inside all of us. When God says go east, we go west – it never turns out well. Disobedience swallows us whole and brings unwanted interruptions into our lives.

Beneath the waves, Jonah lost all hope. He was completely helpless, beyond his limited power, unless God did something. Something.

You may be in a dark place where life isn’t turning out well – a relationship has gone sour, bills pile higher than pay checks, sickness has come to stay, and a porch light remains shining while waiting for a prodigal to return.  We all have something. Something.

A white flag prayer of surrender to a listening God can bring deliverance when we believe there is no place too deep that He cannot reach and rescue.

I believe this.

When my life was almost gone, I remembered the Lord. I prayed to You and You heard my prayers in Your Holy Temple. Jonah 2:7