God of Reconciliation,
You saw Jacob bow seven times in fear,
rehearsing every wrong he had done,
bracing himself for judgment
but instead,
Esau ran.
Not with anger,
but with open arms.
Lord, how many times have I expected wrath
but been met by grace?
How many fears have I carried
that were never mine to hold?
How many apologies have I rehearsed
when You were already waiting to forgive?
Jacob dreaded this day
the face of the one he wronged.
He limped toward it,
expecting vengeance.
But You had gone before him.
You had already worked in Esau’s heart.
You paved the path of peace
before Jacob took a step.
God, You are the Peacemaker.
You go before our apologies.
You soften hearts.
You restore what we thought was beyond repair.
You are not just the God of the wrestling,
but the God of the reunion.
Esau wept.
And Jacob said,
“To see your face is like seeing the face of God.”
Because sometimes,
the face of mercy looks like the brother we betrayed.
Sometimes, Your grace comes through human arms.
Sometimes, forgiveness wears skin
and smells like dust and tears.
Lord, I confess
I hold onto offense too tightly.
I remember wrongs too long.
I assume others will treat me
like I once treated them.
But You are the God
who makes enemies into brothers,
who replaces fear with embrace,
who undoes years of division
with one holy moment.
Jacob offered gifts.
Esau said, “I have enough.”
What healing in those words.
God, make me generous in forgiveness.
Quick to release.
Quick to run.
Quick to embrace.
Let me not carry old debts
into new seasons.
Let my limp remind me of where I’ve been,
but not keep me from where You’re leading.
Let my family reflect Your mercy.
Let my face reflect Your grace.
Let my posture be open,
even when the pain runs deep.
You are the God
who turns fear into feasting,
who writes mercy into the places
where shame used to rule.
Thank You for every Esau who forgives.
Thank You for every Jacob who returns.
Thank You for being the God
who still runs toward us
even after all we've done.
In the name of Jesus,
the firstborn who gave up His right
to reconcile us forever
Amen.