One of the less obvious passages in the Bible that may help us in this area is the account of Jacob wrestling with God at Peniel recorded in Genesis (32.22-31). Although it is often used as a paradigm for praying that is misused by treating the text more as an allegory; it does, nevertheless, offer helpful insight when we look more closely at the record itself. We then see it is indeed a prayerful encounter between a failing and struggling child of God and his Heavenly Father. A closer look at the content of this narrative reveals a number of helpful glimpses into a realistic understanding of prayer.

For more Christians (and Christian ministers) than we might imagine, one the biggest struggles in their life of faith is that of prayer. Every Christian knows that prayer matters, but many of us know how hard it can be for multiple reasons.

It is hardly surprising, therefore, that the Bible has more to say about prayer than we often realise. But it may well surprise us that its wide range within this strand of teaching helps us to understand prayer better and also to face our struggles in prayer with greater honesty. This matters because the very nature of prayer – both in private and in public – means we can be less than honest with ourselves and others. Neglect and failure in our personal prayer life can easily be ignored because ‘Who is going to know?’ And when it comes to praying in public, knowing we are being heard by others can lead us to ‘pray to the gallery’ rather than to God.

One of the less obvious passages in the Bible that may help us in this area is the account of Jacob wrestling with God at Peniel recorded in Genesis (32.22-31). Although it is often used as a paradigm for praying that is misused by treating the text more as an allegory; it does, nevertheless, offer helpful insight when we look more closely at the record itself. We then see it is indeed a prayerful encounter between a failing and struggling child of God and his Heavenly Father. A closer look at the content of this narrative reveals a number of helpful glimpses into a realistic understanding of prayer.

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