We can see in the story of Jacob and Esau the real impact of prayer and God's willingness to reveal His plans and purposes.

In our world today, race is an issue that has never been satisfactorily resolved; this is particularly acute when it comes to the lasting impact of slavery. We need now more than ever, as a Church, to pray into how we are to respond. We need to humble ourselves and find a collective voice and courage.

Whilst we are happy to embrace the more positive sides of our history and live in the good of them. People avoid coming face to face with the challenging parts of our history.

The journey of reconciliation brings us face to face with both sides of our history. We need to embrace it, we need to face it.

For some, denial is not so much about avoiding the past, but a fear of the implications of admitting these things are true. For others, coming face to face with ourselves and our deepest fears, leads us to a natural tendency to defend the status quo and old values. Seeking to protect our position within it.

Recognising our own fragility and fears is an important part of this. We know we ought to let go, but we don’t. The truth is we cannot fully inherit the promises God has given to us until we reconcile with our brothers and sisters. It is dependent on that.

By encountering God, He brings us to a place where we are willing to be changed by Him. It's not necessarily a place we want to bring ourselves but God brings us there.

Reconciliation requires us to go face to face with ourselves and God before we can be reconciled with others.

Without revelation, reconciliation doesn't really occur.

Though Esau had been wronged by his brother, in the moment of reconnection he is not experiencing the pain of that. His response to Jacob around recompense is ‘I have enough’.

This is not the whole story, some don’t have enough and injustices in the past have left them destitute and suffering. The care and attention some receive is paltry in relation to others. In order to inherit all that God has for the Church we need to humble ourselves and face the trauma created by both present pains and historical injustices.

The fruit of the ministry of reconciliation should be unity and peace in relationships across the many divides that have separated us. Reconciliation moves in two directions. Vertical, between us and God, horizontal between us and others. Both find their axis in the cross. We are called to a ministry of reconciliation not just with God, but also with others. This act of reconciliation is a wonderful example of the power of the gospel and the mission of the Church.