Hello, thank you so much for joining me today for Give Him 15.

The title of our post today is Two Common Misperceptions Regarding Prayer.

Some common misperceptions regarding prayer hinder many believers' intercession. One of them is that we must wrestle with God

until he yields and gives us what we desire. The verses used to teach this are from Genesis 32, 22 to 32,

where Jacob wrestled all night with the angel of the Lord.

Many a dynamic message has been preached using the words of Jacob as an example of how we should pray.

I will not let you go unless you bless me.

However, Jacob's wrestling with God is not presented as an example of how to pray.

In this encounter, God and Jacob were after different things, which is why it lasted all night

or through the night. Jacob wanted protection from Esau.

God desired a nature change in Jacob. Not understanding this makes the angels question to

Jacob seem silly. What is your name? Doesn't it seem strange that in the midst of this wrestling match,

Jacob and his opponent begin having a nice little conversation trying to get acquainted? That isn't

what was actually occurring, of course. The angel knew Jacob's name.

God wanted and needed Jacob to acknowledge the truth about his nature, which was described

by the meaning of his name. The amplified translation makes this very clear.

Quote, the man asked him, that is, he asked Jacob, what is your name?

And in shock of realization, whispering, he. Jacob,

supplanter, schemer,

trickster, swindler,

Genesis 3227.

The revelation of his sinful nature and subsequent confession

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