Praying with Purpose

Genesis 24:10–11 (NASB95) 

12He said, “O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham. 13“Behold, I am standing by the spring, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water; 14now may it be that the girl to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar so that I may drink,’ and who answers, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels also’—may she be the one whom You have appointed for Your servant Isaac; and by this I will know that You have shown lovingkindness to my master.” 

Abraham’s servant stood by the well, facing a task that would shape the future of God’s people. He prayed, not for himself, but for Abraham. “Lord, God of my master Abraham, let me find success today, and show kindness to my master.” This is a powerful example of intercessory prayer. The servant’s heart was set on the good of another. He trusted that God cared about Abraham’s family and would answer a prayer offered on someone else’s behalf. 

Yet the servant did not stop at prayer. He formed a practical plan. He asked God for a sign: the right woman would not only offer him water but would also water his camels. This was no small task. Watering ten camels meant drawing gallons and gallons from the well. Only a woman with a generous and kind spirit would do this for a stranger. The servant’s plan was wise and thoughtful. He combined faith with action. He prayed for God’s guidance, but he also used discernment and initiative to find the right answer. 

The focus of the servant’s test was goodness. He did not look for beauty, wealth, or status. He looked for a heart that reflected God’s own character. Goodness was the measure. The servant knew that true relationships—whether in marriage, friendship, or partnership—should be built on goodness. This is the quality that imitates God and brings blessing to others. 

These are important lessons for us today. We should pray for others, lifting their needs and futures to God. We should also be people of action, using wisdom and practical steps to face the challenges ahead. Above all, we should value goodness in our relationships. When we seek goodness, we reflect God's heart and build connections that honor Him. Let us be a people who pray with purpose and act with goodness in every relationship.