Prevailing Prayer

Genesis 25:19-26 English Standard Version

Genesis 25:19 These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac,

Genesis 25:20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife.

Genesis 25:21 And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Genesis 25:22 The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.

Genesis 25:23 And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”

Genesis 25:24 When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb.

Genesis 25:25 The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau.

Genesis 25:26 Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

Prevailing Prayer

What begins in prayer must be sustained in prayer.

Isaac and Rebekah’s relationship began in prayer (Genesis 24).

They had to pray to keep the family going (Rebekah was barren (Genesis 25:21)).

Genesis 25:22 The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.

Genesis 25:23 And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”

Just because it’s God’s will, doesn’t mean it’s easy.

Genesis 25:16 These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names, by their villages and by their encampments, twelve princes according to their tribes.

Abraham has one son, Isaac.

Genesis 11:30 Now Sarai was barren; she had no child.

Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, is barren (Genesis 25:21).

Previously answered prayers give faith for the future.

Genesis 25:21a And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren.

Genesis 20:17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, and also healed his wife and female slaves so that they bore children.

Persistence in prayer pays off.

Genesis 25:21b And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Genesis 25:26 Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

Genesis 25:20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife.

Genesis 16:1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar.

Genesis 16:2 And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.