Context and Background:
Jonah's prayer is found in the Book of Jonah, specifically in chapter 2. Jonah, a prophet of the Lord, was commanded by God to go to the city of Nineveh and preach against its wickedness. However, Jonah attempted to flee from God's presence by boarding a ship bound for Tarshish. In response, God sent a great storm, and Jonah was eventually thrown overboard by the sailors to calm the sea. He was then swallowed by a great fish, where he remained for three days and three nights. It is within the belly of this fish that Jonah offers his prayer to God.

Text of the Prayer:
Jonah's prayer is a heartfelt cry to God, expressing both distress and hope. The prayer is recorded in Jonah 2:1-9 :

1. "From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the LORD his God, saying:
2. 'In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the belly of Sheol I called for help, and You heard my voice.
3. For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current swirled about me. All Your breakers and waves swept over me.
4. At this, I said, "I have been banished from Your sight; yet I will look once more toward Your holy temple."
5. The waters engulfed me to take my life; the watery depths closed around me; the seaweed wrapped around my head.
6. To the roots of the mountains I descended; the earth beneath me barred me in forever! But You raised my life from the pit, O LORD my God!
7. As my life was fading away, I remembered the LORD. My prayer went up to You, to Your holy temple.
8. Those who cling to worthless idols forsake His loving devotion.
9. But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation belongs to the LORD!'"

Theological Significance:
Jonah's prayer is a profound expression of repentance, faith, and thanksgiving. It reflects the themes of God's sovereignty, mercy, and deliverance. Jonah acknowledges God's control over the natural elements and his own circumstances, recognizing that it was God who cast him into the sea. Despite his dire situation, Jonah turns his heart toward God's holy temple, symbolizing a return to faith and hope in God's presence and mercy.

The prayer also highlights the futility of idolatry, as Jonah contrasts the faithfulness of God with the emptiness of false gods. His declaration that "Salvation belongs to the LORD" underscores the central biblical theme that deliverance and redemption are acts of divine grace.

Literary Features:
Jonah's prayer is a poetic composition, rich in imagery and metaphor. The language evokes the chaos and peril of the sea, as well as the depths of despair Jonah experiences. The prayer is structured as a psalm of thanksgiving, a common form in Hebrew poetry, which often includes a cry for help, a recounting of distress, a statement of trust, and a vow of praise.

Application and Reflection:
Jonah's prayer serves as a model for believers in times of distress. It encourages turning to God in prayer, acknowledging His sovereignty, and trusting in His deliverance. The prayer also calls for a heart of gratitude and a commitment to fulfill one's vows to God. Jonah's experience in the belly of the fish is a reminder of God's readiness to hear and respond to the cries of His people, even in the most desperate circumstances.