What is the focus of our prayers?

“O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day.” Genesis 24:12 NKJV

Is God just another name for Santa Claus? Many people think so. False teachers tell their congregations that God has a bag of wealth for them tap into every day. Whatever you want, they say, just ask for it. Use the magic words, “In Jesus Name” and it’s yours. I read a sermon where the invitation was this, “How many of you want to be born again to a life of prosperity?” The Bible has some very harsh warnings for such false teachers. But, does that mean that God doesn’t answer prayer? No, but even Jesus taught that there was more to prayer than just asking for things.

In Genesis 24 we find that Abraham had sent his servant to get a bride for Isaac. The first thing we see about this servant is that he obeyed Abraham and went. A lot of our prayers would be more quickly answered if we were where God wanted us to be when we asked them. The servant was in the place where he was sent and being there he faithfully prayed for God’s blessing. As Paul was going on his second missionary journey he prayed for direction. As he was going, God gave him direction. These prayers were offered up for their Master’s glory, not the selfish ambition of the person praying. This part of Genesis 24 is just a small lesson in a big story, but it is a lesson from Genesis that we should not overlook.

Dear Father, Let the aim of my heart and prayer life be Your glory and not mine. Amen.

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