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The Christian Walk is often compared to a fight. The Bible describes it as a race, a battle, and a struggle. But what does it mean to wrestle in prayer? How do we engage in spiritual warfare and remain faithful to God’s calling? Oswald Chambers, in his devotional, offers powerful insights into the nature of prayer, the necessity of wrestling against hindrances, and the importance of living a crucified life—complete in Christ.
In this article, we will explore the key themes in Chambers' devotional, focusing on mindfulness in prayer, the wrestling against obstacles that prevent us from reaching God, and how this process leads to spiritual victory. We will also examine what it means to live a crucified Christian life, fully submitted to God’s will.
Wrestling in Prayer: A Biblical Perspective
Chambers begins his devotional with a provocative statement: "You have to wrestle against the things that prevent you from getting to God, and you have to wrestle in prayer for other souls." This concept of wrestling in prayer might sound strange to modern ears, but it is deeply biblical. Scripture is filled with examples of individuals who wrestled with God or in prayer to fulfill God’s purposes.
The most famous of these wrestlers is Jacob. In Genesis 32, we find Jacob engaged in an all-night struggle with a mysterious man. This man, later revealed as God, touches Jacob’s hip and causes it to be wrenched from its socket. Jacob, however, refuses to let go until he receives a blessing. The struggle here is not one of rebellion but of desperate longing for God’s blessing.
Genesis 32:24-25 (NIV) says: "So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man."
This moment signifies more than physical wrestling—it represents the internal and spiritual wrestling that Jacob experienced. He was not fighting against the man, but against his own doubts, fears, and disobedience. The struggle was necessary to move him from self-reliance to full dependence on God.
God's touch was a reminder that God’s plans for us are sovereign, and His will is unshakable. Just as Jacob was blessed despite his limp, so too are we strengthened through our struggles with God. This wrestle before God ultimately leads to our transformation.
The Crucified Christian Life: Mindfulness and Surrender
What does it mean to live as a crucified Christian? The Bible is clear: to live as a follower of Christ is to embrace a life of surrender, death to self, and complete devotion to God. The apostle Paul describes this transformation in Galatians 2:20 (NIV):
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
This verse encapsulates the essence of living a crucified Christian life. It is not about physical death but about dying to self—the surrendering of our will, our desires, and our plans in favor of God’s will. When we live this way, we become mindful of God’s presence in our lives, and we are guided by His strength and wisdom, not our own.
To be crucified with Christ is to recognize that our struggles, weaknesses, and frustrations are opportunities for God to work in us and through us. It means that when we wrestle in prayer, we are not striving in our own strength but are completely dependent on God’s power to bring about change.
In this way, wrestling before God in prayer is not a sign of rebellion but of surrender. It is an acknowledgment that God is sovereign, but it also involves actively participating in His work, both for ourselves and for others.
Wrestling in Prayer: Overcoming Obstacles
Chambers notes that when we pray, we must wrestle against the things that keep us from God. These obstacles may take many forms—temptations, distractions, and even self-doubt. The enemy does not want us to grow closer to God, and so he will do everything in his power to create barriers in our minds, hearts, and lives.
But we must remember that these obstacles are not God's doing. Chambers states, "Never say that you wrestle with God in prayer; this idea is scripturally unfounded." The struggle is not with God but with the things that stand in the way of our intimacy with Him. In fact, God uses these obstacles to shape us, refining our faith and molding us into His image.
Romans 8:37 (NIV) says: "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
This verse reminds us that in Christ, we are empowered to overcome any obstacle. The struggle may be hard, but the victory is assured through the strength and grace of Jesus Christ. As we wrestle in prayer, we must remember that God is with us, and He will give us the strength to overcome whatever stands in our way.
Wrestling in prayer is not about fighting against God’s will, but about fighting for His will to be done in our lives and in the lives of others. It is an act of submission to God’s purposes, while still engaging in the battle for our own hearts and the hearts of those we pray for.
Reflecting on Our Struggles: Questions for Contemplation
As we wrestle with God in prayer, it is important to reflect on the nature of our struggles. What are the obstacles that stand between us and God? Are we truly living a crucified life, surrendering our will to His? Below are some reflective questions to help guide your thoughts and prayers:
- What are the main distractions or obstacles in my life that keep me from fully focusing on God?
- How can I cultivate a deeper mindfulness of God’s presence in my daily life?
- In what areas of my life am I still trying to control things, rather than surrendering to God’s will?
- What does it mean for me to be “crucified with Christ” in my daily choices and actions?
- How can I be more intentional in praying for others, especially in a way that aligns with God’s will?
- Am I wrestling in prayer for the right things? Am I engaging with God’s purposes for my life and the lives of others?
Reflecting on these questions will help you evaluate where you are in your spiritual journey and how you can align your heart with God’s will.
Call to Action: Join Us in Prayer and Support
As we seek to grow deeper in our understanding of prayer and the crucified life, I invite you to join us in this journey. We would love to hear your thoughts on today’s devotional and how you engage in wrestling before God in prayer. Share your reflections in the comments below, and let’s encourage one another in this sacred process of transformation.
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Thank you for being part of this community. May God bless you as you wrestle in prayer and live the crucified Christian life, fully surrendered to His will.
Living a crucified life and wrestling in prayer is no easy feat, but it is the path that leads to spiritual victory and intimacy with God. Let us embrace the struggle, trusting that in our weakness, God’s strength will be made perfect.
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