Prevailing In Prayer

We first prevail with God before we prevail with men.

In the context of prayer, prevailing prayer means one that continues with persistence until it achieves the desired outcome. Before we move any further, I would like us to remember that we win in the spirit first before the victory is seen in the physical. See how Jacob wanted to return to his homeland. All of what God had blessed him with was taken and he was ready to go home.

However, he remembered that he had cheated his brother Esau. Esau was now established, giving Jacob ample reason to be afraid. As he prepared for the journey, his heart was unsettled, and he found himself alone. Jacob understood that unless he prevailed with God, he wouldn't prevail with Esau.

That night, an angel appeared to Jacob, and he wrestled with the angel until morning. Jacob didn’t give up; he held on until the angel blessed him. This showed that Jacob had won with God, preparing him to succeed with Esau.

“Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Genesis 32:28.

Unlike our usual prayers, prevailing prayer arises from a deep burden on one's heart. It's the kind of prayer the Holy Spirit compels you to continue until you see results. As discussed earlier, prevailing prayer is essential; it doesn't stop until it achieves its purpose. It goes beyond simply thanking the Lord for His goodness; it involves intense prayer.

“Likewise , the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:26.

Without the Holy Spirit, one cannot prevail in prayer because nothing, or so little can be changed when we pray carnally. Why? We cannot know what exactly is right to say, and how to say it to effect changes but the Spirit is our guide.

Do you feel like you have done everything but still not seeing results? Keep going! Don't stop until you succeed. Even if it doesn't seem to work, it actually is. The enemy knows you can win if you keep pressing on. He only bothers with people who give up because he knows they've already lost. So, don’t give up! If you feel a burden to pray, make sure you do. God won’t give you more than you can handle. Whatever He gives you, He also gives you the strength to overcome! Hallelujah!

But before praying, repenting of anything wrong in your life is important. After that, receive forgiveness and move on. Speak in other tongues as it helps you accomplish things that are needed for that matter. Then, speak the word of God with boldness. When the Holy Spirit fills your heart, you speak the word of God with boldness “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31.

What does prevailing prayer do?

It maintains inspiration. If you are not praying, you will lose the favour/glow that follows it. “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, and serve the Lord.” Romans 12:11. Never lag in zeal!

How do you do it? By meditating on the word of God. Do that again and again, and let it become a part of you.

Prevailing prayer also cleanses and makes us more glorious than we came in before prayer. The more you pray, the more you glow.