W/C 17th October

Our reading this week is Genesis 32: 22-31

²² During the night, Jacob got up and began moving his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven sons across the Jabbok River at the crossing. ²³ After he sent his family across the river, he sent across everything he had.

The Fight With God

²⁴ Jacob was left alone, and a man came and wrestled with him. The man fought with him until the sun came up. ²⁵ When the man saw that he could not defeat Jacob, he touched Jacob’s leg and put it out of joint.

²⁶ Then the man said to Jacob, “Let me go. The sun is coming up.”

But Jacob said, “I will not let you go. You must bless me.”

²⁷ And the man said to him, “What is your name?”

And Jacob said, “My name is Jacob.”

²⁸ Then the man said, “Your name will not be Jacob. Your name will now be Israel. I give you this name because you have fought with God and with men, and you have won.”

²⁹ Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.”

But the man said, “Why do you ask my name?” Then the man blessed Jacob at that place.

³⁰ So Jacob named that place Peniel. He said, “At this place, I saw God face to face, but my life was spared.” ³¹ Then the sun came up as Jacob left Peniel. He was limping because of his leg.

Prayer for the week:

Dear God,
Give us strength
of body, mind and spirit,
to face new challenges,
to keep trying
and to realize our potential.
Amen.