Wrestling with God in Prayer

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

“And He (God) said, 'Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he (Jacob) said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” – Genesis 32:26

I cried out, “Are you there, God? Do you hear my prayers?!”

Jacob experienced doubt too. After stealing his brother’s blessing, Jacob fled. He spent a night in Luz, where the Lord appeared to him. Listen to what God promised him. “And behold, the LORD . . . said: 'I am the LORD God . . .; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants . . . and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” (Genesis 28:13–15)

Then Jacob journeyed to his Uncle Laban’s. Jacob returned more than 20 years later. The possibility of Esau’s retribution haunted him. A blow of uncertainty shoved Jacob into a wrestling match with the Lord. Fear of his brother made him forgetful of God’s promise.

Jacob wasn’t strong-arming God for a blessing. He wrestled with God to receive what God had already promised. And Jacob isn’t the only one who struggles.

If you're wrestling to believe God’s promises, you are not alone. Do you believe God loves you? The Bible tells you over and over again that He does. And he keeps his promises to those he loves.

Satan bullies us with fear and doubt. Slamming God with our questions and concerns doesn’t hurt God; it’s far better than leaving them unspoken. He wants to meet us on the mat. He wants us to cling to Him until we’re certain of His faithfulness.

The day after I cried out, struggling to believe God, I ran into a friend I hadn’t seen in years. She was a mom of three rambunctious boys. In the past, I prayed repeatedly to the Lord to give this woman a daughter. She loved hanging out with me and my girls. On her hip that day, she held a beautiful baby girl. The Holy Spirit’s silent assurance spoke in my heart, “Yes, I am here, and I do hear.”

God wrestles with His people as a father wrestles with a toddler, gentle enough not to cause irreparable damage, firm enough to let the child understand who’s really in control. Jacob’s limp reminded him for the rest of his life that God keeps His promises.

Questions for Reflection:

1. When have you struggled with God?

2. Does doubt, fear, or confusion plague you today?

3. Will you confess it out loud?