Prevailing, in a biblical context, refers to the act of overcoming, succeeding, or gaining victory, often through perseverance, faith, and divine assistance. This concept is woven throughout the Scriptures, illustrating the power of God and the faithfulness of His people in the face of challenges.

Old Testament Instances

In the Old Testament, the theme of prevailing is evident in the lives of many key figures. One notable example is Jacob, who wrestled with a divine being at Peniel. Genesis 32:28 records the words spoken to Jacob: "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed." This encounter signifies not only a physical struggle but also a spiritual triumph, marking a transformation in Jacob's life and his relationship with God.

The Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land is another significant narrative of prevailing. Despite numerous obstacles, including Pharaoh's resistance, the Red Sea, and the challenges in the wilderness, the Israelites ultimately prevailed through God's intervention and guidance. Exodus 14:14 reassures them, "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, prevailing is often associated with the spread of the Gospel and the triumph of faith over adversity. The early church faced persecution and opposition, yet it continued to grow and thrive. Acts 19:20 states, "So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail." This verse highlights the unstoppable nature of God's word and its ability to overcome any hindrance.

The Apostle Paul frequently wrote about prevailing through faith and the strength provided by Christ. In Philippians 4:13 , Paul declares, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." This verse encapsulates the essence of prevailing in the Christian life, emphasizing reliance on Christ's power rather than human effort alone.

Spiritual Warfare

Prevailing is also a key concept in the context of spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:10-18 describes the armor of God, which believers are to put on to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Verse 13 encourages believers to "take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand." This passage underscores the necessity of spiritual preparedness and reliance on God's strength to prevail against spiritual adversaries.

Prayer and Prevailing

Prayer is another vital aspect of prevailing in the Christian life. James 5:16 emphasizes the power of prayer: "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." This verse encourages believers to engage in fervent prayer, trusting in its efficacy to bring about God's will and overcome difficulties.

Conclusion

The biblical theme of prevailing is a testament to the power of faith, perseverance, and divine intervention. Throughout Scripture, believers are encouraged to trust in God's strength and remain steadfast in their faith, assured that they can overcome any challenge through Him.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Prevail.

2. (a.) Having superior force or influence; efficacious; persuasive.

3. (a.) Predominant; prevalent; most general; as, the prevailing disease of a climate; a prevailing opinion.

4342. proskartereo -- to attend constantly
... 4342 (from 4314 , "towards, interactively " and 2594 , "show steadfast strength,"
derived from 2904 , "prevailing strength") -- properly, to consistently ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4342.htm - 8k

2480. ischuo -- to be strong, have power
... 5), am...strong enough (1), been able (1), can (1), can do (1), could (8), force
(1), good (1), healthy (2), means (1), overpowered (1), prevailing (1), strong ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2480.htm - 9k

2583. kanon -- a rule, standard
... This represented the core theological convictions prevailing in the local churches
in the "post-apostolic era" (particularly from ad 100 on). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2583.htm - 7k

111. athemitos -- lawless
... 111 (an adjective, derived from 1/A "not" and , "a custom, what is acceptable because
accepted") -- properly, not acceptable based on the prevailing custom or ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/111.htm - 7k

192. akrasia -- want of power
... 192 (from 1 "not" and 2904 , "prevail") -- properly, without prevailing (taking
dominion), ie the inability to maintain control; (figuratively) without self ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/192.htm - 7k

2393. chezqah -- strength, force
... strength en self, was strong. Feminine of chezeq; prevailing power -- strength(-
en self), (was) strong. see HEBREW chezeq. 2392, 2393. chezqah. 2394 . ...
/hebrew/2393.htm - 6k

Prevailing Prayer
... PREVAILING PRAYER. ... A fruitful abiding in the Son, and prevailing prayer to the
Father, are the two great factors in the true Christian life. ...
/.../the true vine meditations for a month on john 151-16/prevailing prayer.htm

Prevailing Prayer of a Child
... PREVAILING PRAYER OF A CHILD. At the close of a prayer-meeting, the pastor
observed a little girl about twelve years of age remaining ...
/.../prevailing prayer of a child.htm

Prevailing Prayer.
... LECTURE IV. PREVAILING PRAYER. ... The subject of discourse this evening, is. PREVAILING
PRAYER. I. I propose to show what is effectual or prevailing prayer. II. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture iv prevailing prayer.htm

Demanding Then a Law of God, You have that Common one Prevailing ...
... Chapter VI. Demanding then a law of God, you have that common one prevailing
all over the? Demanding then a law of God, you have ...
/.../tertullian/the chaplet or de corona/chapter vi demanding then a.htm

Psalm 77 Part 1 Melancholy Assaulting, and Hope Prevailing.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 77 PART 1 Melancholy assaulting, and hope
prevailing. CM Melancholy assaulting, and hope prevailing. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 77 part 1 melancholy.htm

How Shall the Soul Make Use of Christ, as the Life, which is under ...
... CHAPTER XXIV. HOW SHALL THE SOUL MAKE USE OF CHRIST, AS THE LIFE, WHICH
IS UNDER THE PREVAILING POWER OF UNBELIEF AND INFIDELITY. ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxiv how shall the.htm

Psalm 77:1. First Part. Melancholy Assaulting, and Hope Prevailing ...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 77:1. First Part. Melancholy assaulting,
and hope prevailing. 1 To God I cry'd with mournful ...
/.../watts/the psalms of david/psalm 77 1 0 first part melancholy.htm

The Church in Theology and Literature.
... The "series of sermons" was that delivered to successive generations of college
students at Yale at a time of prevailing skepticism, when every statement of ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xxi the church in.htm

The Natural Supremacy of Reflection
... the subordination, the union, and the one direction, you destroy and lose it"so
reason, several appetites, passions, and affections, prevailing in different ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon iii the natural supremacy.htm

Twenty-Third Lesson Bear Fruit, that the Father May Give what Ye ...
... work was hard or easy, in the obedience of faith to do what He said: the path of
fruit-bearing would have led us to the place and the power of prevailing prayer ...
/.../with christ in the school of prayer/twenty-third lesson bear fruit that.htm

Prevailing (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Predominant; prevalent; most general; as, the prevailing disease of
a climate; a prevailing opinion. ...Prevailing (3 Occurrences). ...
/p/prevailing.htm - 7k

Prevalent (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Most widely adopted or practiced; also, generally or extensively existing;
widespread; prevailing; as, a prevalent observance; prevalent disease. ...
/p/prevalent.htm - 7k

Josiah (51 Occurrences)
... He distinguished himself by beginning a war of extermination against the prevailing
idolatry, which had practically been the state religion for some seventy ...
/j/josiah.htm - 42k

Proverbs (11 Occurrences)
... represented. In Proverbs 10-15 the prevailing couplet is antithetic, which
embodies the most self-closed circuit of the thought. ...
/p/proverbs.htm - 43k

Earth (10501 Occurrences)
... In a hilly limestone country like Palestine, the small amount of iron oxide in the
rocks tends to be oxidized, and thereby to give a prevailing reddish color ...
/e/earth.htm - 26k

Gehenna (12 Occurrences)
... from the Aramaic form of the Hebrew ge-hinnom, "valley of Hinnom." This latter form,
however, is rare in the Old Testament, the prevailing name being "the ...
/g/gehenna.htm - 15k

Gibeah (52 Occurrences)
... 1. History: The narrative in which it first appears is one of extraordinary and
tragic interest, casting priceless light on the conditions prevailing in those ...
/g/gibeah.htm - 30k

Increasing (61 Occurrences)
... in number every day. (See NAS). Acts 19:20 so powerfully was the word of
God increasing and prevailing. (YLT). 2 Corinthians 9:10 ...
/i/increasing.htm - 24k

Infection (24 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The state of being infected; contamination by morbific particles; the
result of infecting influence; a prevailing disease; epidemic. ...
/i/infection.htm - 14k

Infidel (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who denies the existence of God; one who does not believe in the prevailing
religious faith; especially, one who does not believe in the divine ...
/i/infidel.htm - 8k

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