The president of International Concerts of Prayer, David Bryant, told of arriving in a major city to help conduct a time of prayer. As he entered the building where the meeting was to take place, he noticed that the huge hall was being shared by another event. In one room was the prayer meeting; in the other room there was going to be a boxing match.

Two signs greeted visitors, each with arrows pointing the way. In bold letters, one said BOXING; the other said PRAYER. Bryant said it occurred to him that this was the first time he had ever been in a situation where people had to choose between boxing and wrestling.

Bryant was saying that prayer can be like wrestling, as we see in Genesis 32. When Jacob realized that the Man he was grappling with was God in human form, he asked for a blessing and would not let go of Him until his request was granted. God honored that perseverance. The Lord said to Jacob, “You have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed” (v.28).

We can’t twist God’s arm or use Him for our own ends. But we can “wrestle” with Him by persevering in prayer when what we ask for is in His will. Perhaps it’s time to do a little more wrestling.

  — Dave Branon