Genesis 35:3

Let us arise. It seems that Jacob had found residence in the vicinity of Shechem so pleasant and satisfactory that he had delayed paying his vows made to God at Bethel (ch. 28:20-22). The situation resulting from the horrible crime of his sons had once more made him conscious of his need of closer fellowship with God and more careful obedience to His will. The move to Bethel was well calculated to remind him of his past life and to draw him and his family closer to God.

Who answered me. A clear reference to answered prayer. If the experience at Bethel is meant, Jacob must have prayed before he slept that night. If it refers to the experience at the Jabbok, it was the prayer recorded in ch. 32:9-12. The patriarchs were evidently familiar with power of prayer and probably exercised it at fixed times, in full confidence that God hears and answers the petitions of His faithful servants (see ch. 24:12, 26, 52, 63).