Sunday, June 5, 2022
Prepared By Dr. Alphonso Brady, Sr.
Scripture Genesis 32:9-12, 33:4
Thought "A Prayer of Desperation"
I see the question on your faces, “How can there be “A Prayer of Desperation” when prayer is always in order, and men ought to always pray?”
The desperation concerning prayer is not the ability to pray, rather it is the stress, struggle, and strain we face when we pray.
Jacob knew that he had the privilege to pray, but the situation he found himself with facing his brother Esau caused his prayer to be “A prayer of Desperation.”
1. Jacob’s desperation was resolving his wrongdoing!
2. Jacob’s desperation was reliving his wickedness!
3. Jacob’s desperation was rekindling his worship!
As Jacob thought about his journey home to face his brother he prayed “A Prayer of Desperation” in vs 11, “Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children.”
Brothers and sisters, prayer is always in order, but don’t be misled about prayer, situations and circumstances will have us desperate just like Jacob who had “A Prayer of Desperation.”
All of Jacob’s life he found himself trying to rid himself of this “Trickster” mentality”.
Jacob along with his mother Rebekah schemed to steal Esau’s birthrights and had to use trickery to cover it up.
Jacob hated being second although he knew that the oldest son would receive the father’s blessings first.
Yes, Esau was guilty and lazy for giving up his birth right for a bowl of soup, but he never thought his brother and mother would conspire against him with his father Isaac.
Jacob’s trickster mentality caused him to flee from the shame of his father and the fear of his brother, but it also affected his devotion and relationship with God.
How Pastor Brady?
Jacob’ grew up in a home that feared God, worship God and served God, but his trickery drove him away from his family and God.
Time would have it that he found out that once a “Trickster,” always a “Trickster” until there is life changing experience.
After being tricked himself by his father-in-law Laban into having to marry Leah instead of Rachel the love of his life, Jacob had to one final “Trickster” move before he had to pray “A Prayer of Desperation”.
When he tricked his way out of serving seven extra years to have Rachel as his wife, he had this dream of going home and facing his brother Esau.
Life has a way of bringing us to that point of desperation where we realize praying to God is our only hope!
Imagine facing our greatest opportunity to serve God and reclaiming a broken relationship in our family, but our past tricks began to catch up with us.
1. A chance to honor the faith of serving!
2. A chance to heal the family shame!
3. A chance to help the future solutions!
Don't think it is strange to pray "A Prayer of Desperation," and know that God will deliver.
Dr. Alphonso Brady, Sr.
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