As Jacob returned home, he knew it was inevitable that he would see his brother Esau. Realizing that Esau might still be vindictive, he offers God an earnest prayer. Notice the elements contained within this prayer.
1. He offered praise.
Gen. 32:9-12 “And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac,”
2. He obeyed the Lord and remembered the promise of His blessings.
“the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:”
3. He displayed repentance and humility.
“I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant;”
4. He asked for protection.
“for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau:”
5. He acknowledged his fears.
“for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.”
6. He claimed God’s promises.
“And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.”
LESSON - The prayers which have been the most impactful to me are the ones offered by people in scripture who were preparing to die. Although Jacob had received promises from God to the contrary, He feared the consequences of his past would return to plague him. These are the conditions upon which Jacob offered us a wonderful outline to follow. Learn to pray as if every prayer will be your last!
~Mike