All 3 Uses

prevail
in
Flags of Our Fathers
(Edited)

The remarkable thing, given the decades of thievery and ruination of the Pimas, is the legacy of dignity and forbearance that prevails amid their exploited culture.
Chpt 2. *

prevails = is most common or influential
It would be at Camp Pendleton that the 5th Division learned the skills needed to prevail on the Road to Tokyo.
Chpt 5. *

prevail = win or succeed
Marine discipline and the sacrificial bonding of ardent young men was prevailing over concrete, steel, and thick volcanic rock.
Chpt 9.

prevailing = winning

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)