Scripture-Based Prayers

Jacob's Prayer at Peniel

On the night before meeting the brother he cheated, Jacob prays that he is 'not worthy of the least of all the mercies', then wrestles until daybreak and refuses to let go without a blessing.

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9. And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee: 10. I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. 11. Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children. 12. 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. 24. And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25. 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. 26. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.

Genesis 32:9–12, 24–26 (KJV)

About the prayer

It has been the classic prayer of those facing a reckoning, and of long nights of struggle with God that leave a limp behind.

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