05/28/2022
Do we find ourselves to be like Jacob as we wrestle with God in our prayers? Do we confront a terrible situation in our lives and pray as if it were our demanding prayer that would force the hand of the Lord to act? In reality it was not the wrestling that won the blessing for Jacob, and it will not be our forceful petitions that will win a blessing for us either. It will be the humble act of faithfully holding onto God. Are we ready to be battered, bruised, and have our hip put out of place in forceful and demanding prayer, only to find God’s answer comes by yielding everything except our faith in Him?
“Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him.”
Genesis 32:26, 29 ESV
When we approach prayer with the belief that we are the owners of the promise then we will most certainly wrestle with God over its outcome. We need to realize that we didn’t force our Father to promise He would hear us, and do the things we pray for, no, we were simply the recipient of that blessing. So it is today, that we will only be blessed when we realize that it is God’s love, and desire to provide for us that causes Him to answer our prayers, not our struggle with Him as we demand that He do our will, and answer as He promised. It is only by our humble act of not letting go, and not claiming the victory for ourselves that will bring His blessing. Only through our yielding and realizing that we are not meant to win the struggle of prayer, but to simply hold onto its promise, and accept whatever the blessing is that follows. Jacob did not know what his blessing would be, and we don’t know how God will ultimately answer us.
“And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.””
Luke 22:41-42 ESV
If Jesus, being the only begotten Son of God, did not demand the promise be fulfilled in His prayers, then who are we to pray as if we can demand God’s action? It is God’s will that our prayers be answered… not ours.
A few years ago I was at the altar in church praying for those who came forward for intercessor prayer, when I heard a man praying loudly near me. He started his prayer with these words “Lord, I demand that you answer this prayer because you promised us you would!” Those words in which this man ordered God to act sent shivers up and down my back as they shocked me in their audacity. Is this how we approach our prayers? Do we attempt to use God’s promise to hear us, and answer our prayers, as a tool by which we can direct, and control Him? Do we forget that His promise was as the result of His will, and His answer is dictated by the same?
“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”
1 John 5:14 ESV
Are we ready to stop wrestling with God in our prayer chairs, and closets? Are we prepared to align our will with His, and ask that He bless us in accordance with His will, and character? Do we trust in His goodness, and love for us? And finally, are we, as His brothers, ready to pray as Jesus prayed?
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”
Romans 8:28-29 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your promise that you will hear our prayers, and that in as much as they conform to your will, you will answer them all. Thank you for the good blessings we receive from you, and the assurance we have in your love, the promise that you will soothe our troubled minds, provide for us, heal us, ease our suffering, relieve our heartaches, and look after us as a perfect and loving father does his children. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God, Father, snd Abba. Praised be your name for transforming us by our faith into the image of your Son Jesus, and for being faithful in Word, and deed, to your promises. Help us Lord to pray, and live within your will; help us to obey you in all your commands, and commandments so that you will be greatly pleased in us. Merciful are you who teaches us to be righteous, and holy, as you are, and amazing is your love and grace that is found in every answered prayer, and blessing we receive from you. Wash us in the blood of your Son Jesus, and remove our haughtiness, and sin, by doing so. Perfect us in Christ, so that on our day of judgement you will find us pleasing, and worthy of eternity in your presence. Jesus we pray that you come quickly, and that this prayer will be the sovereign will of our Father. Holy Father, send your Son again, even as you have sent Him before… not to condemn the world, but to save it. Send Him to raise us up, resurrect us, give us new bodies, take us as His bride, and humbly bring us before you to praise and worship you forevermore.
Now, as we wait on your Son Jesus to return, hear our prayers oh Lord, and let your Holy Spirit direct us in them, change our hearts, and minds, so that in all ways your perfect will is reflected in ours.
“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”
James 4:3 ESV
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
Romans 8:26-27 ESV
Rich Forbes