[00:00:06] Speaker A: Welcome to Bedtime Bible, a Westminster Kids prayer podcast. My name is Pastor Scott and I will lead you in a time to rest in God's presence in prayer, story and song as we prepare for sleep.
Dear God, we are here with you now.
Help our minds to grow calm, our hearts to open wide, and our bodies to find rest.
We know you are with us in this moment of stillness.
Amen.
I invite you to close your eyes, place your hands on your stomach and feel the breath moving into your body and then being slowly released.
Continue breathing slowly for a few moments.
Loving God, thank you for this day.
Some parts of our day were happy and some parts were hard.
In every moment you were with us.
Thank you for walking beside us when we laughed and when we cried, when we felt strong, when we felt tired.
We are grateful that nothing can separate us from your love.
Amen.
Now tonight, I'd like to share a story about Jacob. It's entitled Jacob Wrestles. And it's from Genesis 32. 2231.
All alone, Jacob stood, watching his family get settled on the other side of the stream.
He was surprised when he heard a thief thunk and felt a bump on his head.
Smack.
He was knocked to the ground.
Jacob sprang to his feet and fought back. He grunted and pushed and pulled.
He tumbled and rolled and kicked.
He couldn't see who he was fighting, but he knew it was someone strong and powerful.
I can't lose, thought Jacob.
Many years had passed since Jacob stole his brother Esau's blessing.
He was finally on his way home to face Esau. He couldn't stop now.
Jacob ducked and tackled and smacked. He wrestled with the mysterious man through the whole night.
The sun rose and light began to spread.
The wrestling continued until.
Crack.
The man knocked Jacob's hip out of its socket.
Ouch. Jacob yelled in pain. He grabbed onto the man.
Let me go. The man shouted.
Now. Yelled Jacob.
And he held on even tighter. Not till. Until you bless me.
What is your name?
Jacob.
I'm giving you a new name, the man said.
You aren't Jacob any longer. Your name is Israel because you have struggled against humans and God. And you are one God. Blessed Jacob.
Jacob couldn't believe what had happened.
He met God face to face.
Let us pray.
Dear God, Jacob wasn't a perfect person.
Sometimes he could be naughty.
And yet God watched over him.
And when the time came, he and God wrestled.
And sometimes we wrestle with you, too.
I don't want to do what's right. It's too hard.
I want to be mean once in a while.
All these thoughts and some of these actions that are not good we feel in our hearts in those moments we are wrestling with you as well. Lord, help us love you enough to share our real feelings and to trust that even when we wrestle with you in our sin that you will always bless us and make us whole again.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
[00:05:44] Speaker B: O Lord of light, who made the stars O dawn, by whom we see the way.
O Christ, Redeemer of us all.
[00:06:07] Speaker A: Make.
[00:06:07] Speaker B: Haste to listen as we pray in lowliness. You came on earth to rescue us from Satan snares.
O wondrous love that healed our wounds by taking up our mortal care.
[00:06:45] Speaker A: To.
[00:06:46] Speaker B: Guide the Father and the Son.
[00:06:52] Speaker A: For.
[00:06:53] Speaker B: Ages of eternal days.
Together with the Spirit be all Glory, honor, might and praise.
[00:07:19] Speaker A: Gracious God as the night falls and we close our eyes.
Bless our sleep with your peace.
Surround our family with your love.
Calm our thoughts and give us rest for tomorrow.
Keep us safe in your care now and always.
Amen.
Good night.
[00:07:51] Speaker C: Bedtime Bible is a podcast produced by Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines, Iowa.
Our story is read from the World Kids Story Bible, published by Sparkhouse Generation, is by Pastor Scott. Music and sound design is by Aaron Schultz.
For more content from Westminster, visit us on the
[email protected] God's peace, joy and love be with you today and every day.
Good night and see you next time.
