These are the family records of Isaac son of Abraham. Abraham fathered Isaac. Isaac was forty years old when he took as his wife Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-Aram and sister of Laban the Aramean. Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife because she was childless. The Lord was receptive to his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her:
Two nations are in your womb;
two peoples will come from you and be separated.
One people will be stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger.When her time came to give birth, there were indeed twins in her womb. The first one came out red-looking, covered with hair like a fur coat, and they named him Esau. After this, his brother came out grasping Esau’s heel with his hand. So he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when they were born. —Genesis 25:19-26
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness…” —2 Peter 3:9
God invites us to
God desires a
“
was called God’s friend.” —James 2:23
The
“God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance…” —Romans 2:4
“
all your cares on him, because he cares about you.” —1 Peter 5:7 “Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife because she was childless.” —Genesis 25:21
Our
“Prayer is an opening of the self so that the Word of God can break in and make us new.” —Joan Chittister
Prayer
“Prayer does not seek to draw God toward us, he is closer to us than we are to ourselves. Its purpose is to bring us close enough to him for dialogue, and to make us aware of his nearness.” —St. Augustine
Prayer teaches us to
“The Lord was receptive to his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.” —Genesis 25:21
We learn that God
“You do not have because you do not ask.” —James 4:2
Prayer teaches us to
“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” —Luke 11:9-13
Prayer should be a
“Pray without ceasing.” —1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife because she was childless. The Lord was receptive to his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.” —Genesis 25:21
Prayer
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” —Psalm 34:4-5
“There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” —1 Timothy 2:5
Communion through prayer comes through two active parties - you and God.
For further study:
Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15; James 5:13; 1 John 5:14-16
Resources: “The Possibility of Prayer” by John Starke
Discussion questions:
How does it feel to know God desires a relationship with you?
What situations has God used to lead you to prayer?
How has prayer cultivated your relationship with God?
How has God transformed your life through prayer?
How do you see God as an active participant in your prayer life?
To prepare for next week: The Stolen Blessing; Genesis 27:1-29