by Crystal Bustamante

Created on: January 30, 2009

FOUR THINGS NEEDED IN PRAYER FROM GENESIS 32:9-12

Much can be (and has been) written about prayer material covering how to prayer, the importance of prayer, etc. In this article, I will attempt to outline four things that should be included in prayer, which are found in the prayer of Jacob in Genesis 32:9-12. Jacob prayed this prayer shortly before he was confronted by and wrestled with the angel. The same night that he was blessed by the Lord and his name was changed from Jacob [supplanter, deceiver] to Israel [a prince who prevails with God].

Let us examine the four components of his prayer now:

ADORATION

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: (Genesis 32:9)

Jacob began his prayer with adoration. He recognized God as the giver and director of life, as well as the one from whom blessings come. He also recognized God as being omniscient, unchanging and as a living God that transcends the ages.

By beginning his prayer with adoration recognizing the power of God, he was inviting God into his situation by recognizing His ability to solve whatever problems that arise in life. He was also recognizing his obedience, which is important since there can be no true adoration where obedience does not exist.

This is an important element of prayer. It should be the first part of our regular prayers each time we pray; at the same time, it is not limited to the first part of prayer. It can be interjected in the middle of the prayer and/or at the end. Adoration, or worship (as it is more commonly called), recognizes the power of God in our lives and invites Him into our situation.

Adoration is important because God is worthy of our praise at all times not only when everything is going as it should. By worshipping God, we recognize that He is greater than us.

CONFESSION

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 Lord; and now I am become two bands. (Genesis 32:10)

The second element of Jacob's prayer was confession. Confession is related to adoration while being the exact opposite. When we confess, we recognize our own weaknesses and human limitations. We recognize that we are lower than God and are dependent on Him.

By recognizing our weaknesses and limitations in prayer, we place them in direct comparison to the power of God. Essentially, we

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