One of my favorite prayers in the Bible is the one said by Abraham’s servant as he carried out a request to find a wife for Abraham’s son, Isaac: “Please give me success today…”
The story goes that after Abraham buried his wife Sarah, he knew his time of death was near. Abraham had one thing in mind—to marry off Isaac. Abraham sent his trusted servant, loaded with 10 camels bearing gifts, back to Abraham’s homeland to start his search.
It was evening when the servant arrived at the city of Abraham’s family. He took the camels to the well outside of town where the women were drawing water. He knew he was in over his head; he was not a matchmaker. But the servant understood that the stakes were high; his master was counting on him to get the job done.
Instead of acting on his own, the servant turned to God, and that’s when he prayed, “Please give me success today.” It was a simple and short prayer that acknowledged his dependence on God, and it aligned his heart’s desire with God’s.
Author and theologian, E. Stanley Jones, wrote, “Prayer is aligning ourselves with the purposes of God.” The servant knew that God was interested in the outcome of his mission. And indeed, when Rebekah offered the servant a drink at the well, his prayer was answered.
The awesome news is that we pray to a God who knows and is concerned about everything happening in our lives. When we find ourselves in a place of uncertainty and not sure what path to take, “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you’” Psalm 32:8 (NLT).
God wants us to succeed in all that we do. This even includes the things we consider insignificant. This is something I have learned from my wife; she prays to God about everything. When she is looking for a gift for someone, she prays. When she is out shopping or running errands, she prays. When someone needs her help, she turns to God. It doesn’t matter how small the task, she prays.
All of us have responsibilities, tasks and assignments that without the Lord’s help are impossible to achieve. Every day we face demands and challenges. We go to work to provide for our families. We care for a loved one battling an illness. We study long hours to enhance a career.
Prayer doesn’t negate our role in actions we need to take. But it gives us wisdom and Godly direction. Prayer gives us perspective. It opens the way for God to guide, empower and even do the impossible. So whatever you are facing today, you can pray: “God give me success today.”
