TEXT: Genesis 32:24-28
"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.'
LEFT ALONE
Jacob was in deep trouble. He was returning home to his brother Esau, whom he cheated of his birthright some years ago. Jacob fled after Esau vowed to kill him. Now, as he journeyed back home, he was worried. His wealth, possessions and trickery were useless. He was desperately in need of help. He sent whatever would be a distraction across the river. He was left alone. Alone with God.
DESPERATE PRAYER
There, he fought the battle of his destiny. He wrestled with his maker. It was a desperate prayer session. He refused to let go until the one who could help him changed his name and sealed his destiny. At Peniel, Jacob became Israel overnight - from a supplanter to a nation. "...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" (Gen 32:28). The Lord will change your story and plant you in the centre of your destiny in Jesus name. Your glory will manifest for all to see in Jesus name. You will prevail this year in Jesus name.
EFFECTUAL, FERVENT PRAYER
Like Jacob we need to make time to be alone with God. We need to find our own Peniel, where we will not be distracted. Jacob was desperate and prayed fervently with great zeal. James 5:16 says: "...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." How desperate are you to accomplish God's will this year? God will answer your prayers in Jesus name.
PREVAILING PRAYER
Jesus was also alone with God as he prayed desperately for strength to accomplish the will of God. It was a titanic tangle with the forces of evil. He prayed so zealously that the Bible says in Luke 22:44: "And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Jesus prevailed and was given a name above all names.
MAKE TIME TO BE ALONE WITH GOD
Like Jacob said, "I will not let thee go except thou bless me." Let this be our cry this year. We need to be alone with God. We need to pray fervently. God is ready to bless us, if we make time to be alone with him. You will prevail in the place of prayer in Jesus name. You will have power with God and man in Jesus name.
PRAYER:
Father, strengthen me and teach my hands to war in the place of prayer in Jesus name.
CONFESSION: I will prevail over every obstacle.
God bless you. Shalom.
