Genesis 32:9-12

Jacob was greatly afraid. (See verse 7.) But he had learned to trust God. So he prayed. These are the parts of his prayer. We might use them as a pattern for our own prayers.

• He speaks to God. He says, ‘My father’s God’. We might say, ‘Our father in heaven’.

• He repeats God’s promise. (See the end of verse 9.)

• He tells God that he does not deserve anything. (See verse 10.)

• He thanks God for his gifts. (He says, ‘your care’, in verse 10.)

• He asks God for what he needs. (He says, ‘Please save me’, in verse 11)

• He repeats God’s promise again. (See verse 12.)