The Necessity of Prayer in the Last Days

Here's a Bible study I recently took part in. It is something every Christian needs in these times. Whoever reads this, please post a comment and let me know what you think of it.

1. Read Genesis 32:22-32

And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok. And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had. And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.
(Genesis 32:22-32)

2. The setting:

a. Jacob returning from exile (20 years)
b. Esau coming with army of 400 men
c. This situation is his fault
d. Divides his company in two
e. Makes every effort to conciliate
f. Spends

3. Hebrew names are very important!

a. Meaning of the name

i. Jabbok emptying/pouring out

ii. Jacob deceiver

iii. Israel struggling, wrestling with God and implies prevailing in Hebrew

iv. Peniel face of God

4. Summary

Those who pour out their hearts to God have their character changed from defeat to victory, and will see God face to face.

5. Additional Scriptures:

a. Isaiah 62:2, 6, 7
b. Revelation 22:4; 14:1; 3:12; 2:17


"Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His experience testifies to the power of importunate prayer. It is now that we are to learn this lesson of prevailing prayer, of unyielding faith. The greatest victories to the church of Christ or to the individual Christian are not those that are gained by talent or education, by wealth or the favor of men. They are those victories that are gained in the audience chamber with God, when earnest, agonizing faith lays hold upon the mighty arm of power." {Patriarchs and Prophets, 203}


"The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger--a faith that will not faint though severely tried. The period of probation is granted to all to prepare for that time. Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His victory is an evidence of the power of importunate prayer. All who will lay hold of God's promises, as he did, and be as earnest and persevering as he was, will succeed as he succeeded. Those who are unwilling to deny self, to agonize before God, to pray long and earnestly for His blessing, will not obtain it. Wrestling with God--how few know what it is! How few have ever had their souls drawn out after God with intensity of desire until every power is on the stretch. When waves of despair which no language can express sweep over the suppliant, how few cling with unyielding faith to the promises of God." {The Great Controversy, 621}