Message Notes

THE PROMISE OF GOD’S BLESSINGS

1. Not only for Abraham – Personal   (Genesis 12)

2. But also for us (included) – Covenantal   (Genesis 15)

I WILL DEAL WELL WITH YOU

1. This was a wonderful promise of blessing from God to Jacob

2. Jacob sought to remember and understand this in prayer even in difficult times

THE PROBLEM OF FEAR

1. The challenges of life can create the problem of fear

“So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed…”   Genesis 32:7a

2. We try to make plans to address our fears

“And he divided the people…”   Genesis 32:7b

3. But the problem of fear affects everything that we do

a. It resulted in bad planning on Jacob’s part

b. He unfortunately planned for some of his family to escape at the expense of other family members

PRAYER AS A VERY IMPORTANT ANSWER TO FEAR

1. Seeking God in prayer

a. This is most important

b. It is the only way the problem of fear will be addressed

c. Through prayer, God will give us the confidence to face our fears

2. Jacob learnt to pray in times of fear

a. This is something that we all can do

b. We can pray to a God who has promised to deal well with us

HOW WE SHOULD PRAY

1. By remembering the promises of God

“The LORD who said to me… I will deal well with you”   Genesis 32:9

a. We ought to remember and understand God ‘s Word and what He has promised

b. His Word and His promises must always be the focus and basis of how we pray

c. We bring His Word and His promises to Him

2. In humility

a. We ought to pray in humility

“I am not worthy…”   Genesis 32:10

b. It is out of His mercy that He would deal well with us

c. We do not ask or claim to be worthy of His blessings

3. Making known our requests

a. It is only when we focus on His Word and seek Him humbly

b. That we bring our requests before Him

“Deliver me, I pray…”   Genesis 32:11

c. Cf. Philippians 4:6

4. A further emphasis on the promises of God

a. Jacob’s prayer began and ended on the promises of God

“For You said, ‘I will surely treat you well…”   Genesis 32:12

b. This was a good and correct focus in his prayer

c. God fulfilled His promises to Jacob

“Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him…”   Genesis 33:4

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To see prayer as a very important response in dealing with fear

2. To learn how to pray correctly

a. The basis of our prayers must be the Word of God

b. We want to always pray with a sense of humility

c. We make known our requests to a God who seeks to bless

3. To always seek to pray in the challenges and circumstances of life