Subject Text: Genesis 24

Text verses: 1 John 5:14-15

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” (1 John 5:14)

“And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” (1 John 5:15)

In this devotion, we first look at: What is Prayer? It is man’s petition to God.

Next, we look at the Answer to Prayer. It is from God to man.

God’s answer is based on:

1. God’s Appointments – His Purpose, His Will (see our text verse, 1 John 5:14)
2. Man’s Position in Christ (Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 1:9-10; 2:1-3)
3. Man’s Fellowship with Christ:

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

The Model Prayer is given to us by Christ, recorded in Matthew 6:5-13; these verses are commonly referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer” (although Christ’s Prayer is actually found in John 17:1-26).

However, today’s message is keyed on the word “appointed” or “appointment”; as found in the prayer of Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, in Genesis 24:12-14; see verse 14:

“And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.” (Genesis 24:14)

(Also see Job 23:13-14 and Proverbs 19:21.)

There are Four Characteristics of Prayer that we want to look at in reference to this passage found in Genesis Chapter 24:

A. The Contents of Prayer
B. The Conditions of the Prayer
C. The Conversation of Prayer
D. The Consummation of Prayer

A. The Contents of Prayer

Eliezer’s prayer was based on Abraham’s word from God (see Genesis 24:1-9). Thus, prayer is to be based on purpose.

We need to answer these questions:

1. What is the purpose of my prayer?
2. Why do I need to pray?

In Eliezer’s prayer, he already knew his mandate (his instructions; his purpose): he was to find Isaac a wife from Abraham’s kindred. In Genesis 24:2-4; Abraham made Eliezer swear to not give Isaac a wife from the Canaanites (the heathen nations in Canaan); but to go back to Abraham’s country and to his kindred; and there to find a wife for Isaac. Notice that Eliezer was Abraham’s “eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had” – so Eliezer was Abraham’s most trusted servant.

Genesis 24:14 shows that Eliezer knew that God had appointed it so; even to the particular woman. Eliezer knew:

1. What
2. Who
3. Why

B. The Conditions of the Prayer

Genesis 24:14-15, 23-31; show Eliezer’s concern; his conditions – he prayed for specific conditions, so he could be positive that this was the woman appointed by God for Isaac.

Eliezer wanted proof – and Rebekah did exactly as he had prayed (verses 17-20) – thus giving him that proof. He knew she was the one appointed by God to be Isaac’s wife, because she met all the conditions of his prayer.

C. The Conversation of Prayer

Genesis 24:32-58 tells of the conversation between Eliezer and Rebekah’s family. After Eliezer related his story to them, this is how her family responded to him:

“Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.” (Genesis 24:50)

“Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master’s son’s wife, as the LORD hath spoken.” (Genesis 24:51)

Just as God answered Eliezer’s prayer then – even today – God places legs on prayers; He places mouths on prayers; etc.

D. The Consummation of Prayer

The rest of this chapter (Genesis 24:59-67) tell of Rebekah’s actions; the consummation of Eliezer’s prayer:

1. “Rebekah… followed the man” (Genesis 24:61)
2. “She saw Isaac” (Genesis 24:64)
3. “She became his wife” (Genesis 24:67)

This kind of prayer is always successful.