Learning to Pray with Jacob
Christians must learn to pray effective prayers. Jesus tells us as much in the Sermon on the Mount. First he rebukes the heathen, who assume that their wordiness is what makes prayer effective. Then he provides a model for truly effective prayer.
I found a similarly concise model for effective prayer as I recently studied Genesis 32. This ‘model’ is especially helpful for us when we find ourselves in difficulties, seeking God’s mercy in trials. The prayer is only four verses long, but contains all the elements of an effective prayer:
“(9) And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,’ (10) I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. (11) Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children. (12) But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’” (Genesis 32:9-12)
> Address God in relationship. Jacob begins by referencing his relationship to GOd. He refers to the ‘God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac.’ By subtly referencing God’s covenant with Abraham, and the promise through Isaac, Jacob reminds God that he is in the line of men who have God’s promise. God’s children may similarly remind Him that they stand in a special relationship to Him.
> Remind God of the promise. The patriarch then reminds God that he is acting in accordance with God’s promises: “O lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and your kindred, that I may do you good.’” Jacob is not saying this to boast in his own obedience, but only to remind God of the promises. Nor is it wrong for him (or us!) to reference obedience to God’s Word. Shouldn’t we expect, and beg, God to take care of us when we are obeying him?
> Acknowledge personal unworthiness. Jacob confesses his own unworthiness: “I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant.” Jacob clarifies that he deserves nothing. Anything given to him is by grace. He humbles himself before the Almighty.
> Recount God’s faithfulness. He recounts how God has been faithful to him: “with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps.” It’s good to take the time to remember God’s faithfulness to us. This honors him and encourages our faith.
> Bring the request. Jacob presents his request: “Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children.” God delights when his children bring their troubles to him. He wants to hear about our needs, so that he can do us good and receive glory by providing.
> Remind God of the covenant. Jacob previously reminded God of the promise specific to this situation, but now he reminds God of the covenant, the big-picture promise into which this specific situation fits. “But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’” By keeping his promise in this specific situation, God will fulfill his big-picture commitment to the covenant that he gave his people. Here is a secret of successful pray-ers in the Bible: they remind God of his Word. They argue with him to keep his promises and to be faithful to his covenant. This is the sort of ‘arguing’ that God wants you to do in your prayer!
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