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Genesis 32:24-31
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. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip.
Additional Scripture References: Genesis 32:24-31, Genesis 31:31, Ephesians 5:18, John 8:33, Genesis 28, Hebrews 11:21; Exodus 3 Psalm 18; Matthew 8; Matthew 16 Acts 9
Just as Jacob wrestled with God in Genesis 32, we often find ourselves caught in the cycles of busyness, striving or avoidance, trying to outrun our struggles. But God doesn’t meet us in the running; it happens in the wrestling. More than wrestling, God meets us when we stop, surrender, and allow Him to change us. True surrender isn’t about giving up; it’s about opening up ourselves to God and allowing Him to replace our old identity with the new one He’s giving us. It is an intentional choice to stop running from our pain, past, and even God Himself, but instead run towards Him. Like fish need water and trees need dirt to thrive, we need God. He alone is the source of life. His presence changes us and if we stay long enough in his presence we will experience Him.
We’ll truly never be alive unless we are connected to God.
Life often feels like a race, doesn’t it? We find ourselves running—running to keep up at work, rushing to meet family obligations, moving from house to house, or even relationship to relationship. This relentless motion can blur our vision, making it easy to lose sight of God’s purpose for our lives. In the busyness, God calls us to stop—not just to rest, but to surrender. When we pause long enough to meet Him, we have a life-changing encounter with Him.
Facing the truth about ourselves is one of the hardest things we can do, but self-awareness is key to intimacy with God. Spending time with the Lord brings us face-to-face with Him, allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal hidden pain, doubts, anger, and fears. Like Jacob, who wrestled with God and came face to face with Him, we must confront our struggles to be transformed into who we’re meant to be.
Exhausted from running from Esau, Laban, and himself, Jacob found himself face-to-face with the One he had been running from all along: God. In his desperation, Jacob asked, “Who are you?” but God revealed Himself through action instead of answering with words. God always reveals himself to us in the way we would understand most. Will you allow God to reveal himself to you?
This week, take intentional steps to surrender fully to God. Replace lies you’ve believed about yourself with His truth. Instead of running from your struggles, face them with God by declaring who you are in Him. Use the action steps below to invite God into the transformation process and walk in the identity He has given you.
Stop and Reflect
Identify areas where you’ve been running. Whether it’s from pain, busyness or fear, bring them to God in prayer.
Be Honest
Confess to God where you’re struggling or hiding. Ask Him to reveal the truth of who you are in Him.
Declare God’s Truth
Speak life over yourself daily using the Word of God. Words have power and declaring His promises aligns your heart and mind with His truth.
These prayer prompts can guide you in prayers you may need to pray or share with others this week.
Prayer of Surrender:
Lord, I confess that I’ve been running from you, chasing things that I shouldn’t, avoiding confronting reality, and striving in my own strength. Help me to stop and trust you as my guide. Meet me in the stillness and teach me to rest in you.
Scripture: “Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10
Prayer for Honesty with God:
“Heavenly Father, you created me in my mother’s womb, therefore you know me better than I even know myself. Help me to stop pretending and show me that I don’t have to hide anything from you. Search me, God, and know my heart. Thank you for loving me just as I am and helping me to be honest with you even when I don’t have the words to say.”
Scripture: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24
Prayer for Identity in Christ:
“Heavenly Father, I’ve carried labels and lies that have weighed me down. I surrender those to you today. Remind me that I’m not defined by my past or my failures but by who You say I am, Your child, loved and chosen. Speak truth over me and transform my heart and mind.”
Scripture: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” - Psalm 139:14
Need a midweek reset? Join us every Wednesday at VOUS Miami Gardens and VOUS Design District in the Prayer Room for an incredible hour of prayer starting at 12PM. Make it part of your weekly rhythm!
Where: VOUS Miami Gardens and VOUS Design District
When: Every Wednesday
Time: 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Are you interested in leading a crew? Click here to fill out an application to become a crew leader in SZN 1 2026!
Make Thanksgiving special for a family in need by serving at our annual Thanksgiving Bash, a morning of distributing hundreds of meals to families in our community and watching teams compete for the VOUS Bowl Title in our spirited 7-on-7 flag football tournament.
As a Crew, fill up a Meal Kit this week and bring it to VOUS Miami Gardens or to the Thanksgiving Bash and serve together!
To donate a meal kit online, click here
To serve, click here
Date: Saturday, November 22nd
Time: 11:00AM
Location: Charles Hadley Park
Join us bright and early at Peacock Park for the VOUS 10K Turkey Trot! Start your Thanksgiving with fresh air, great friends, and all-around fun! We’ll see you at the starting line!
Sign up for the Turkey Trot, click here
Date: Thursday, November 27th
Time: 6:00AM
Location: Peacock Park
On Sunday, November 30th we're bringing our annual Tree Lighting tradition to our SoMi, City, and Miami Gardens Locations after the 6pm Services! RSVP and join us for a night of fun! Invite your friends and let's welcome the Christmas season together!
Date: November 30th
Time: 7:30PM
Locations:
VOUS Miami Gardens
17801 NW 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33169
VOUS City
6101 NW 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33127
VOUS SoMi
6767 Sunset Dr
South Miami, FL 33143
To RSVP, click here
Sow a seed of faith and invest in legacy Sunday, December 7 at our annual Bricklayers Offering.
For more information, click here
VOUS SoMi
10:00AM / 12:00PM / 6PM
VOUS City
10:00AM / 12:00PM / 6PM
VOUS Miami Gardens
8:30AM / 10:00AM / 12:00PM
VOUS Design District
8:30AM / 10:00AM / 12:00PM
Church Online
10:00AM / 12:00PM / 5PM Español
Growth Track
After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack
