Can you name (just) one thing you have been praying for and it’s kinda like taking forever to receive answer? Why is it taking so long? Could it be about God? or us? or maybe its about how we ask? These are some of the questions that baffled my mind for many years. And frankly, they are genuine questions.
Today, let’s explore Abraham’s oldest servant journey, how he prayed, and the kind of answer he received. I believe it will fill some gaps in your prayer life. The story is in Genesis 24
The Journey
Abraham was very old and sought to find wife for Isaac before he die. So he sent the oldest servant on a mission to find a young woman from among his relative. Abraham assured the servant that God “will send his angel ahead of you, and he will see to it that you find a wife for my son“v7. Abraham believed that God would this because of what He (God) had done in the past.
The servant embarked on his journey and got to the land where Abraham’s brother had settled. The challenge arose because many women were coming to draw water from a well, where he sat with his camels. Notice he needed one young woman who would fit for his master’s son. I believe he had options:
1. Ask for Abraham’s relatives house and inquire from them.
2. Gamble for any young girl since he was at the right place, where he was sent.
3. Do something else.
In the midst of this complex situation, he decided to pray.
How He Prayed:
O Lord, God of my master, Abraham,” he prayed. “Please give me success today, and show unfailing love to my master, Abraham. See, I am standing here beside this spring, and the young women of the town are coming out to draw water. This is my request. I will ask one of them, ‘Please give me a drink from your jug.’ If she says, ‘Yes, have a drink, and I will water your camels, too!’—let her be the one you have selected as Isaac’s wife. This is how I will know that you have shown unfailing love to my master.”
(Genesis 24: 12-14, NLT)
- Three things to note about his prayer:
- He directed it to God, and mentioned Abraham
- He knew what he wanted, thus he was definite; no ambiguity
- He kept it simple and precise
How did he get answer to His prayer:
The Bible says “before he had finished praying“v15, he saw a young woman coming to draw water. And “running over to her, the servant said please give me a little drink from your jug“v17. Only God knew what was about to happen:
“Yes, my lord,” she answered, “have a drink.” And she quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and gave him a drink. When she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels, too, until they have had enough to drink.” So she quickly emptied her jug into the watering trough and ran back to the well to draw water for all his camels.
(Genesis 24:18-20, NLT)
This young lady did exactly what he had requested from the Lord moments ago. The miracle was that this girl was Abraham brother’s granddaughter.
“The man bowed low and worshiped the Lord. “Praise the Lord, the God of my master, Abraham,” he said. “The Lord has shown unfailing love and faithfulness to my master, for he has led me straight to my master’s relatives.” v26-27
How did this happen? How was this one girl, selected from the lots of young women who came to draw water from the well, able to meet the servant’s requirements, and Abraham heart desire?
The answer is PRAYER.
Abraham had earlier declared that God “will send his angel ahead of you, and he will see to it that you find a wife for my son“v7 so when the servant prayed, God orchestrated the miracle.
3 Things to Consider:
- Just as the Servant made reference to Abraham in his prayer, We have Jesus Christ. Jesus said “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” (John 14:13-14, NLT)
- Notice Jesus said that “you can ask for anything…“. You don’t need to have special needs before you pray. Consider asking God for direction in your little (daily life) decision…that’s how you can build trust for tough decisions. Anything means ANYTHING. As a child of God, whatever you open your mouth to request would be in line with His will and purpose for your life because His Word abides in you.
- When you know what you want, and decide to talk to God, be definite, simple, and precise. Plenty talks make us feel good but mostly are ineffective. Stop beating about the bush and go straight to the point…after all, “your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!” (Matthew 6:8, NLT)
Uplifting Christ 