Daily Devotions – Trust God in prayer – Jacob

Daily Devotions – Trust God in prayer – Jacob

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

 

Genesis 32:22-29 (NIV)
Jacob Wrestles With God
22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. 28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” 29 Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.

 

Identify God’s pleasure in those who serve God and trust Him in prayer.  How did God answer? (In the text or in what follows)

Lord, prayer is not always straight forward. Sometimes it seems, like Jacob, that we have to wrestle with You. It can be costly in terms of time and energy. Jacob was determined and trusted that You would bless him and You did. Help me to be as determined so that my weaknesses and vulnerabilities do not stop me from laying my requests at Your feet and trusting You to use me. I know that You often use weaknesses more than strengths to do Your will so help me not be discouraged. You have said that Your power is made perfect in weakness, but I need to put my total trust in You. Transform my life and my attitude through my prayer and bring me Your power through my weakness. Thank You that You are a God who answers prayer. In Your precious name, Amen