“The sun rose upon [Jacob/Israel] as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.” – Genesis 32:31

I had you, God.
You know it. I know it.
You saw you weren’t prevailing.
You know it. I know it.
And then you pulled a dirty trick!
You know it. I know it.
You pulled my hip right out of joint.
You know it. I know it.
It didn’t matter; I held on to you and held.
You know it. I know it.
You did not want the daylight to reveal you.
You know it. I know it.
And so you called for me to let you go before the dawn.
You know it. I know it.
“Oh, no,” I said. “You have to bless me first.”
You know it. I know it.
You did; you gave me a new name.
You know it. I know it.
A name about the struggle.
You know it. I know it.
And now I limp.
You know it. I know it.
But I won.

A poem/prayer based on Genesis 32:22-31, the Revised Common Lectionary Alternate First Reading for Year C, Proper 24 (29).

The image is Jacob Wrestling the Angel by Anonymous (Meister 1) ca. 1350-1375 – Hochschul- und Landesbibliothek Fulda, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23797771.