Pray with Expectation

Read Genesis 24-25
 
Gen 24:49 “and I bowed down and worshiped the LORD. I praised the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right road to get the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son.”
 
THIS is one of my favorite Bible stories. Obeying God’s directive, Abraham sends his chief servant Eliezer to find a wife for Isaac. The servant has expectations of what the future bride will say and do. Even more – and this is what I like – he has sure expectations in Jehovah – God the Provider – will answer his prayers.
    This faithful servant Eliezer is a wonderful model for our Christian lives. Too often, I think we pray like this: “God, help me if you will. I hope things will work out.” But this scripture tells us to pray in this way: (Genesis 24:12) “O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.” Do you hear the faith and the worship? The “Lord’s Prayer” – our model of prayer – is certainly one of worshipful expectation: “Your Kingdom come, your will be done. Give us this day…For our debts (sins)…Deliver us from the Evil One.” (from Matthew 6:10-13) are supplications of expectations. And so must our prayers be.
    Consider that Eliezer was traveling a great distance to the land he had left with Abraham some 50 years earlier. He was going to meet a family he did not know. Still, the servant walked confidently with God even though there were many things he did not know. That’s because there is something very important Eliezer does know. He knows who God is, what God can do. Consider how he has watched the LORD fulfill his promises to Abraham. Eliezer is seeking a wife for a son no one on earth believed would be born. Now Eliezer faithfully walks to see God fully answer his worshipful, expectant prayer.
    There are many ways life’s circumstances can challenge our faith. If that is so with you today, remember Abraham and Eliezer. Understand the enormous faith challenges that God brought to them. Pray you believe in God as the faithful Eliezer. Pray with the expectation and faith the Lord has taught us. Then open your eyes to see God deliver his answer.
 
Pray and See: What journey are you traveling? Pray and see God’s response to you.