Abraham sent his servant on a seemingly impossible mission: to find a wife for his son, Isaac. This woman had to be from Abraham’s country and kindred, and most importantly, she had to be godly. How could the servant possibly discern her spiritual condition? He did the only thing he could—he prayed.
After a long journey, the servant stopped by a well outside the city and prayed earnestly. His prayer was simple yet specific:
Genesis 24:12
And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
He asked for a sign that the woman who offered him and his camels water would be the one appointed for Isaac.
This prayer teaches us several important lessons:
- Obedience: The servant obeyed Abraham’s instructions and made the long journey. His obedience placed him in the right position to receive God’s blessing.
- Specific Prayer: By being specific in his request, the servant eliminated the possibility of coincidence. He wanted to be sure it was God’s answer.
- Faith: The servant prayed with faith, expecting God to answer. And answer He did—before the servant had even finished praying, Rebecca appeared and fulfilled every detail of his prayer.
This story reminds us that we should not be surprised when God answers our prayers. Instead, we should be surprised if He does not. Let us learn from this humble servant and approach God with obedience, specificity, and faith.