# 220 So Why Bother Praying At All?

The Book of Genesis

# 220

Ge 24:12 Then he said, "O LORD God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 "Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 "Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, 'Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink' -let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master." 15 And it happened, before he had finished speaking, that behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, came out with her pitcher on her shoulder.

Let’s continue looking at the prayer of Abraham’s servant today. He prays for success for his mission and that is certainly cause for prayer, but I like his motivation. He wants success because it will bless his master! I am reminded of the passage in James that tells us: ”You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. (James 4:3)

Another thing that strikes me about the servant’s prayer is how quickly it was answered! BEFORE he finishes, God’s answer in the form of Rebekah, arrives on the scene with her pitcher on her shoulder! What an affirmation of the words of Jesus in Mt 6:8 " For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” God knew what the servant needed even before he asked, and Rebekah was on the way to the watering hole even before the servant arrived!

Well, if that’s the case, why do we even bother to pray?

Fair question.

For one thing, we pray, because we are commanded to pray. 1Th 5:17 says, “pray without ceasing,” and still another reason is prayer is a discipline of the followers of Christ. Jesus said in the sermon on the mount, “WHEN you pray.” He didn’t say IF!

The term prayer comes from a Hebrew term which signifies “appeal, “ or “to make earnest request,” or “to plead with in order to persuade,” or “to intercede, or intervene between two parties with a view to reconciling differences.” As you can see, prayer is a very broad term that invites God into a myriad of circumstances!

Prayer is serious business! No wonder Jesus cautioned us to “not pray as the hypocrites do!” Don’t pray with the idea of solely being seen or heard by men, but pray with the idea of being seen and heard by God! He is the only one to whom we should appeal. He is the only One who can do anything about our requests, and He is the only One who is able to reconcile circumstances and people in accordance with His will!

Do not use vain (empty) repetitions or formulas, thinking that your many words and grasp of language will make an impression upon God. If you really want to impress God, then understand what it takes to be a righteous man, and to pray fervently. For it is the fervent prayer of a righteous man that avails much! (James 5:16) When a righteous man, prays fervently, the answer is set in motion even before he ceases! Righteous men pray fervently because they are intimately acquainted with the One who can really make it happen when they appeal to Him!

You want powerful prayer? Then seek to become intimately acquainted with God! Get into His Word and let His Word get into you!