Here’s a little trivia… the first full prayer in the Bible is found in the thirty-second chapter of Genesis. This occurred after Jacob had fathered twelve sons and was travelling back to Canaan. In his homeland, he would soon meet Esau, from whom he had stolen the birthright and blessing. Jacob was worried, so he prayed.
Jacob prayed, “God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, ‘Go back to your land and to your family, and I will cause you to prosper,’ I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. Indeed, I crossed over the Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two camps. Please rescue me from my brother Esau, for I am afraid of him; otherwise, he may come and attack me, the mothers, and their children. You have said, ‘I will cause you to prosper, and I will make your offspring like the sand of the sea, too numerous to be counted’ ”(Genesis 32:9–12).
Notice the recipient of this prayer. Jacob sought the comfort and protection of the “God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac.” Jacob addressed the God Who had made a covenant with his family, the God Who established a relationship with his father and grandfather, the God Who had spoken directly to him saying, “Go back to your land and to your family, and I will cause you to prosper.”
Like Jacob, we can pray to “Our Father in Heaven” (Matthew 6:9). He a relational God, a promise-keeping God. He’s “our Father.”
And, notice that Jacob reminded God of His covenant promise. “God, You promised: ‘I will cause you to prosper, and I will make your offspring like the sand of the sea, too numerous to be counted.’ ” At first glance, one might see this as a selfish, self-centered request. Only Heaven knows Jacob’s heart. But, I want to see Jacob’s prayer as a desire to see God’s covenant fulfilled and His glory demonstrated. “Oh God, let the world see Your glory, Your power, Your miraculous majesty. Show the world that You do what You say!”
“Our Father in heaven… Your kingdom come. Your will be done…” (Matthew 6:9–13).
“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).
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