The Tension of Prayer: Wrestling and Resting in God

Grab Hold of God: Prayer in the Midst of Wrestling and Resting

Do you ever find yourself struggling with how to pray? It can be a common challenge for many believers. Should we trust that everything is already in God’s hands and simply rest, knowing that He will do what is best for us? Or should we cry out to God earnestly, passionately pleading for Him to change our circumstances, offering Him reasons to answer our prayers?

This wrestling between resting and crying out is a tension that many of us face. On one hand, resting in God seems godlier, reflecting a deep trust that God will provide for our needs without us even asking. It appears more holy, more faith-filled, and more in line with what we read in the Bible. On the other hand, when we dive into the Scriptures, we find a fuller picture of prayer. Jesus Himself instructs us to ask, promising that we will receive (Matthew 7:7). He assures us that if we abide in Him, we can ask for whatever we wish, and it will be done for us (John 15:7).

The Call to Pray and Not Lose Heart

One of the paradoxes of prayer is that while we are called to rest in God’s sovereignty, we are also encouraged to persistently cry out to Him. Jesus, in Luke 18:1-7, tells a parable of an unjust judge who granted justice to a persistent widow because she kept coming to him. Jesus uses this story to teach us the importance of not losing heart in prayer. He commends the widow's persistence and compares it to the way we need to cry out to God.

So, should we wrestle with God or rest in Him? The truth is, both wrestling and resting have their place in prayer. Just as in any relationship, our communication with God involves a range of emotions and expressions. Let’s explore the benefits and biblical examples of both wrestling and resting in prayer.

Wrestling with God: The Boldness of Prayer

When we wrestle with God in prayer, we demonstrate a boldness and urgency in our relationship with Him. We come before Him with our deepest longings, fears, and desires, pouring out our hearts and souls. Wrestling with God can be a passionate and fervent plea for Him to intervene in our lives and change our circumstances.

Consider the example of Jacob in Genesis 32:22-32. Jacob found himself wrestling with a mysterious man throughout the night. He refused to let go until he received a blessing. This wrestling match with God resulted in Jacob's name being changed to Israel, symbolizing his struggle and victory in his relationship with God.

Similarly, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus Himself wrestled with God in prayer. He agonized over the impending crucifixion and cried out to the Father, asking if there was any other way. Jesus fully expressed His emotions and desires, yet ultimately submitted to the Father's will (Luke 22:39-46).

When we wrestle with God in prayer, we demonstrate our trust in His power and our dependence on His grace. We boldly approach His throne, fully aware of our weakness and need for His intervention. This type of prayer requires vulnerability and a willingness to surrender our own plans and desires to align with His perfect will.

• Wrestling with God involves boldness and urgency.


• It demonstrates trust in His power and dependence on His grace.


• It requires vulnerability and surrender to His perfect will.

Resting in God: The Peace of Prayer

While wrestling with God in prayer is essential, there is also great value in resting in Him. Resting in God means trusting in His sovereignty and goodness, even when we don't fully understand His ways. It involves finding peace and contentment in His presence, knowing that He is in control and will work all things for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28).

David, the psalmist, provides us with a beautiful example of resting in God through prayer. In Psalm 23, he declares, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." David acknowledges God's provision and care, finding rest in the midst of life's challenges.

Jesus Himself displayed the importance of resting in God. In Mark 1:35, we see Him rising early in the morning to find solitude and pray. This act of seeking God's presence and resting in His love and guidance allowed Jesus to navigate His ministry with peace and clarity.

Resting in God does not mean we become passive or disengaged. Instead, it involves an active trust, knowing that our prayers are heard and that God is at work, even when we don't see immediate answers. It requires us to surrender our anxieties and worries, giving them to Him and finding solace in His unfailing love.

• Resting in God involves trusting in His sovereignty and goodness.


• It brings peace and contentment in His presence.


• It requires active trust and surrender of anxieties.

The Relationship Between Wrestling and Resting in Prayer

As we consider the examples from Scripture and the tension between wrestling and resting in prayer, we can see that these two approaches are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they are interconnected and complementary.

Wrestling with God in prayer helps us cultivate a deep intimacy with Him. It allows us to express the depths of our hearts, to pour out our souls before Him, and to seek His intervention in our lives. It reflects our willingness to engage honestly and passionately with our Heavenly Father.

Resting in God, on the other hand, enables us to find peace and contentment in His presence. It reminds us of His faithfulness and encourages us to trust in His timing and purposes. Resting in God's sovereignty does not diminish the importance of wrestling in prayer; rather, it provides the foundation for us to approach Him with confidence and assurance.

In our journey of prayer, we may find ourselves shifting between wrestling and resting. There will be seasons when we cry out to God with fervency and desperation, and other seasons when we find solace and peace in His embrace. Both postures are valid and valuable in our walk with God.

Practical Steps in Prayer

So, how do we practically incorporate both wrestling and resting in prayer? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Set aside dedicated time for prayer each day, creating space for both passionate intercession and peaceful contemplation.


2. Start your prayer time by acknowledging God's sovereignty and expressing trust in His goodness.


3. Pour out your heart to God, sharing your deepest desires, fears, and struggles. Be honest and vulnerable in His presence.


4. Ask God for His intervention and guidance, boldly presenting your requests before Him.


5. Seek His peace and rest, surrendering your anxieties and worries to Him.


6. Listen for His still, small voice, trusting that He will speak to you in His perfect timing.


7. Thank God for His faithfulness and provision, even before you see the answers to your prayers.

Remember, prayer is not a formula or a checklist but an ongoing conversation with our Heavenly Father. It is a journey of faith and trust, where we wrestle and rest in His presence. As we embrace both postures, we will experience a deeper intimacy with God and a greater understanding of His love and purposes for our lives.

So, let us grab hold of God in prayer, both wrestling with Him and resting in Him. May our prayers be bold and passionate, and may we also find peace and contentment in His loving embrace. As we navigate the challenges of this year and the future, let us continually seek His face and trust in His unfailing goodness.