Feb 25
Today’s Truth
Then he prayed, “Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham” (Genesis 24:12 NIV).
Friend to Friend
My daughter excitedly told me she had a God-moment at church (that’s always a good thing!). She was 
helping the 6-year-olds who were working on drawing something they wanted. One kid drew a puppy; another drew a dragon. But one little girl didn’t draw anything at all. When my daughter asked about it, the little girl said she wanted her grandma but that her grandma had died.
Instead of only saying “Oh, I’m sorry” and moving on, my daughter asked if she could pray for her right then and there. She explained that God could do anything, including comforting her while she was sad. They prayed together and after the prayer, the little girl started drawing. The end result of her artistic efforts? A drawing of her beloved grandma with wings in heaven.
I was so touched by this story because it shows the power of prayer and kindness to transform a heart and redeem a moment. It also shows you don’t have to be a pastor or have a degree in theology to pray for others. You don’t have to be a certain age to be used by God. You just have to notice others and be willing to slow down.
It would have been easy for my daughter to just walk to the next child, but she stopped and observed this little girl’s sadness. She took time to talk with her and pray. It makes me wonder when was the last time I stopped to pray with a friend or acquaintance.
Today’s key verse comes from Genesis 24, which happens to be the longest chapter in Genesis. Interestingly, it’s about a marriage match between Isaac and Rebekah. Abraham sends his head servant on the most important mission of finding a suitable wife for his son Isaac. After traveling to the land of Abraham’s ancestors, the servant prays this prayer, “Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’ – let her be the one you have chosen.” Before he had finished praying, the answer was heaven sent!
Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder, offering water not only to Abraham’s servant, but also offering to draw water for all of his camels. He had ten camels (v.10) so this task would have taken a long time. The Bible says Rebekah was very beautiful on the outside (vs.16) and her actions show her beautiful character on the inside. God had answered the servant’s prayer for a bride for Isaac. She was the one!
This servant’s prayer request is the first individual prayer of petition in the Bible. How amazing that this prayer wasn’t offered by a famous Israelite. It’s offered by an unnamed servant, beautifully illustrating that anyone can talk to God. It also shows the power of praying for the welfare of someone else. It seems to be particularly pleasing to God when we pray for others (and not only our own needs).
After meeting her family and offering gifts, Abraham’s servant invited Rebekah to journey with him to meet Isaac and she agreed. Upon finding Isaac, the servant told Isaac all the things he had done and then verse 67 says, “Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.”
God answered the prayer of Abraham’s servant, bringing much comfort to the heart of Isaac. Who has God put in your path today? Maybe you will notice someone in need of comfort, and like my daughter you can ask, “May I pray for you today?” As we take time to petition God on someone else’s behalf, we can be part of God’s beautiful story of redemption and love.
Who will you pray for today?
Let’s Pray
Dear God, thank You for being the God of love and comfort. Use me today to bring hope and light to someone else. Show me whom I need to pray for today. Provide the answers that we need. We look to You alone, our source of strength and help, both now and forever.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Has anyone ever stopped to pray for you? What effect did that have on your life?
Think of someone who needs a touch from God today. Pray for this person and let him or her know you are praying for them. You can pray out loud for him or her in person or over the phone.
More from the Girlfriends
Arlene’s book 31 Days to a Happy Husband has daily prayers for you to pray over your spouse. You can also check out Arlene’s masterclass at Happy Home University.
(As an Amazon Associate, Girlfriends in God earns A SMALL COMMISSION from qualifying purchases using this paid link.)
© 2022 by Arlene Pellicane. All rights reserved.
Arlene, I’m just thinking today after reading your message, that praying for others isn’t a duty; it’s a grand and glorious privilege. How wonderful to realize that God has entrusted us with loving his children—the ones he puts in our path—in this way. I’m also thinking of how the possibilities of putting this privilege into action has been multiplied enormously with the ability to meet, chat with, and pray for people, new friends, all around the world! I know this is true for me. I have a ministry I never would have had nor even dreamed of years ago if not for the advent of the internet and social media.
The words of Jesus come to mind. “Look on the fields. They are ripe for harvest.” This is more true than ever today. In the context of caring for others, our opportunities are literally boundless. Even those who, in the past, were termed “shut-ins” can minister and pray for others just as effectively as anyone else who has perfect health and energy. I know this because my own physical abilities have been cut back because of fibromyalgia. But even this has opened a door, for I started a group online for women with fibromyalgia and other hidden disabilities.
The world awaits our caring through praying. Yet, more to the point, and more personally, the people we know and the people we will soon meet, in person or online, are the ones our love and our prayers can reach with the love of Christ through us. Prayer is a privilege indeed.
Dennia,
Thank you so much for your beautiful comment. Your ministry of prayer and connecting to others anywhere and everywhere is awesome! Yes, prayer is a privilege!
Arlene,
Thank you for this devotion today.
A few years ago, after I watched the movie about Mr. Rogers and watched the scene, where we get to see how he prayed each night. By naming the complete names of the people he came in contact with, each day, made those prayers real!
That experience, made me also realize, how much we need to make ourselves aware of how to use our prayer time with God as an effective moment for someone else.
I thank God, for your writing ministry!
Thank you for your encouraging words Carol! I too loved those scenes from the Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood movie!
Oh, Heavenly Father, Your Word says, what God has joined together let no man separate. I put full trust in You and faith that you will do justice and end all of these extramarital affairs once and for all. Please destroy the sin of lust, adultery and sexual immorality that is operating in his life. Lord break all unhealthy and ungodly attachments that may have formed. Shut every evil door and cut off evil soul ties. In the name of Jesus remove all jealous, envious and evil influences form our lives. In Jesus name we believe and pray Amen
Amen Letty!