by Pastor Afolabi Oladele

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank. Genesis 32:24-32

How is your prayer life dear child of God? Jacob being alone, fully spread his fears before God in prayer. While in this state, One in the likeness of a man wrestled with him. When the Spirit helpeth our infirmities, and our earnest and many desires are short of words to utter them, and we are desperate to express same, then prayer is indeed wrestling with God. However tried or discouraged, we shall prevail; and prevailing with Him in prayer, we shall prevail against all enemies that strive with us.

Nothing requires more vigour and unceasing exertion than wrestling. It is an emblem of the true spirit of faith and prayer. Jacob kept his ground; though the struggle continued long, this did not shake his faith, nor silence his prayer – Luke 18:7-8.

Jacob would want the blessing he lightly esteemed preferring to have a bone put out of joint than go away without one. Those who would have the blessing of Christ, must resolve to take no denial. The fervent prayer is the effectual prayer. At such a time as this, we ought so to hold to God in prevailing prayer because He is the only one who has the power to help (Psalm 65:2).

Will you earnestly call upon His name, seeking His help today? He listens and He will answer. Shalom.

Photo by Vladislav Bychkov on Unsplash