"Bless Me, Or I Will Not Let You Go."

In Genesis 32:22-32, we read about a mysterious wrestling match in the middle of the night between Jacob and a “Man” who was apparently God himself (perhaps the pre-incarnate Christ; Jesus before the manger). I cannot unpack the details of the story here, but Jacob’s attitude is very instructive for us in the matter of prayer.

 Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!”

But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (Genesis 32:26)

At first pass we might be tempted to think Jacob’s attitude is a bit arrogant or presumptuous toward this “God-man.” But isn’t the Lord pleased when we cling to Him for the purpose of obtaining what only He can provide? Jacob wanted the blessing of God. In the context of this passage the blessing Jacob seeks is very likely protection from the wrath of his brother Esau, whom he feared wanted to kill him.

What kind of blessings do you seek from God and with what kind of passion do you seek them? Jacob was passionately crying out to God, wrestling with Him in prayer, because he believed his very life depended on receiving this blessing. I like that. I want to come to the place where I pray like my life depends on it, because in reality does.

If Jacob really was crying out for God’s blessing of protection, I’m good with that. I need protection. Most of the time we consider ourselves “blessed” when God protects us, meets our material needs, our financial needs, our occupational needs, our relational needs, and certainly our health needs. You know... please heal Aunt Martha’s heart condition, give me a better job, save my brother’s marriage and please help my son get through High School. This type of subject matter for prayer has its place, it’s certainly necessary, and God’s answers are a great blessing to our lives. But should prayer of this nature make up the bulk of our time before the throne of God?

What is really on my heart is to challenge us all, as children of an Awesome God, to spend the greater part of our time in prayer wrestling with Him for greater blessings. Let’s write out prayer lists of a different nature.

The following is a sample of the kinds of things I want to cry out to the Lord to bless me with:

 

Prayer List:

 

*Lord, help me truly understand that You are all I need, and in laying down my life for Your glory I will find life as it is meant to be.

*Lord, bless me with the grace to “lift up my eyes” and see this world the way you see it. Break my heart with the things that break yours and thrill my heart with the things you love.
       
 *Lord, deliver me from fearing men and their opinions more than I fear you and your truth. “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)

*Lord, bless me with the ability to love, understand, retain and apply what your Spirit teaches me from your Word, which is truth. (“Open my eyes that I might see wonderful things in your word.”)

*Lord, create in me a tender heart, full of compassion for others, especially those who do not know you, the only true God.

*Bless me with sons and daughters (natural and spiritual) who know you, walk with you, and fulfill your calling for their lives.

*Bless me with fruitful ministry that I may hear you say on that Great Day, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

*Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (Psalm 139:23-24)

So, let us be challenged by the life and death passion with which Jacob wrestled with God for his blessing. And, let us examine the nature of our prayer life. May we take hold of God for the greater blessings of conformity into His image and the grace to produce fruit for His glory.