Vayishlach

“Prayer is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself.”

– St. John Vianney

Avinu Malkeinu,

As you promised Abraham and Jacob that you would give them the land, help us to walk in the inheritance of the spaces you have created and carved out for us to live in, to walk through, and to possess. Fill those spaces with Your Presence and enable the next generation to walk in their inheritance as well.

As Jacob wrestled with You and with the ugliness of humanity, he learned how to overcome and persevere. Help us not to give up when the world feels dark and heavy, help us not to lose hope in the power of love and the light of life when people seem too broken for repair. Help us to remember all of the times you have healed the ugly parts of our own hearts and helped us grow into better reflections of You. As olives express their oil when crushed and bruised, remind us that when we are in complete surrender and offer up whatever we have left to give, you will also produce anointing oil in us that shines a light.

May we take note of the greed that consumed Laban, who was never content with what he had, making him unjust, deceitful, and manipulative. As we learn that he was never satiated and lost his most prized possessions-his family, may we focus on our families, communities, friendships, and purpose, so that the lure of wealth does not rob us of our most prized possessions, the humans you have placed in our lives.  

As women strive for love, help us not to waste time competing with each other and tearing each other down for our personal gain. Help us instead to admire the strengths in those around us, to pray for growth in those areas, and to edify others so they can change the world in their own beautiful way. The more we notice and encourage the good in those around us, the less energy is wasted on jealousy, coveting, and selfishness. Help us overcome the jealousy that is exemplified between Rachel and her sister, Leah, so that we can grow in strength and beauty.

In Genesis 16:13, Your word calls You El-Roi, the God who sees, as You provided and protected Hagar and her son, Ishmael, when they were abandoned and rejected. You also saw Leah, who was unloved. You are the One who sees the vulnerable, the abandoned, the betrayed, the abused, the forgotten, the hurting, and the rejected. You are the One who knows our pain and our name. We are the apple of Your eye. We call on the God who sees today, please bring justice to the wronged, bring provision to the neglected, bring freedom to the oppressed, healing to the hurting, acceptance to the rejected, and love to the unloved. Thank you for seeing us.

Love,

Brianna