I will not let you go unless You bless me!

I will not let you go unless You bless me!

Jacob was facing meeting his brother Esau, after many years, knowing full well that he had stolen his birthright and that Esau had breathed death-threats against his younger brother. So when God told him to return to his home town, Jacob knew he faced a battle that could end in great blood-shed.

So he separated himself from his family, servants and all who could offer him comfort and was ‘left alone’. Then happened one of the strangest fights in the Bible. ‘A Man wrestled with him until the break of day’. If you’ve ever watched a wrestling match, unlike the fight in Bridget Jones, the two opponents are almost hugging during the fight. They get up close and personal, sweat mixes with sweat, breathing in one another’s ears…you get the picture.

Prayer is our chance to get up close and personal with God. God was fighting with Jacob till the break of dawn to give him the blessing He had promised him. It’s up to us how much we want what God has to give…it’s up to us how involved we want to get. But rest assured, we will receive only as much as we open ourselves up to. Jacob’s barriers were down and he insisted ‘I will not let you go unless You bless me!’

It was at this time, that God gave Jacob his new identity as Israel (Prince of God – Gen 33:28)…you see how the God’s riches were now available to him. Throughout his lifetime, God had promised that Jacob would have descendants as the dust of the earth and inherit a great land. But until this struggle, it was still not quite within his reach. Now he met with Esau and to his great surprise, he was met with kisses and tears!!!

Unless we enter with God in this struggle, we will miss the great inheritance of saved souls that he has to give us for His glorious kingdom. We need to come to God in earnest prayer to see His promises in our lives and service.

As we saw in Acts, there were many times that the people of God met to pray with one mind and one accord in times of difficulty and afterwards we see how the gates of heaven were opened and miracles happened. The church grew in number, St. Peter was set free, buildings shook, preaching with great boldness, St Paul and St Barnabas were sent out, earthquakes and the list goes on.

Therefore, as people called with a burden to share the Good News of Jesus with the world, we need prayer more than ever. Prayer to know God’s will, to stand strong against the wiles of the devil, for protection, for blessings, for wisdom and much more. As in the history of our church, prayer with fasting (to focus on the spiritual battle) have always been the key to moving forward.

Hence we suggest that the first Wednesday to Friday of every month (31^st October – 2^nd November), all who have a burden for mission will fast and meet to pray wherever they are in the world. It would be good to come together, with others of a same mind and heart, for a few hours to seek God’s face as Jacob did.

We will send out a list of specific issues to pray for, but the prayer time should be led entirely by the Holy Spirit. As with Jacob, we need to be listening to hear what God will say, direct, advise so that we can act on His words. So please get back to us with what you felt God was saying to you. Thank you for joining us as a soldier in God’s army.

‘But you beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.’ Jude 20,21

Be sure that the Lord will bless us after we dedicate ourselves to this time of prayer and fasting.