For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
Deep inside the belly of the great fish, in the dark, Jonah does the one thing he should have done all along — he prays.
Today's Story
Remember Jonah? He ran from God, got thrown into the stormy sea, and was swallowed by a great big fish. Now here he was — inside the fish, soaking wet, in the dark, for three days and three nights.
And in that dark, scary place, Jonah finally prayed. “I called out to You, Lord, from deep in my trouble,” he prayed, “and You heard me. The waves rolled over me. I sank down, down, down. I thought I was finished. But You brought my life up from the deep!”
Jonah remembered who God was. “When my life was slipping away, I remembered You, Lord, and my prayer came to You.” Even at the very bottom, God heard him. Even after running away, God didn't let him go.
And Jonah made a promise: “I will say thank You. I will keep my word. Rescue comes from the Lord!”
Then God spoke to the fish, and the fish spit Jonah out — right onto dry land. Jonah was free, alive, and given a second chance, all because he turned back to God and prayed.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- Jonah prayed from the darkest, scariest place. Is there anywhere too dark or too far for God to hear you? (No!)
- Jonah remembered God when his life was slipping away. What helps YOU remember God when things are hard?
- God gave Jonah a second chance. Have you ever been thankful for a second chance?