Both Uses

prevail
in
Things Fall Apart
(Edited)

But there were many others who saw the situation differently, and it was their counsel that prevailed in the end.
p. 158.5 *

prevailed = won (was accepted)
But wisdom prevailed in the camp of the faithful and many lives were thus saved.
p. 188.4

prevailed = won out (was accepted)

Definitions:

(1) (prevail as in: reason will prevail)
prove superior or win
(2) (prevail as in: she prevailed upon him)
use persuasion -- especially successfully

The expression "prevail upon your patience" or "prevail upon your kindness" means to appeal to the listeners patience or kindness as a method of persuasion.
(3) (prevailing as in: prevailing attitude)
most common, powerful, or influential
(4) (prevail as in: rare, but still prevails)
to be in force; or to have some power or influence
(5) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)