Prayer is not to alert
God to a need. Prayer is to remind us who is in charge and that He is working
actively in our lives.
In the story of
Rebekah, Isaac sent his servant to find him a wife from his family or people
group. The servant started praying, but as he was praying, Rebekah stepped out
as if on cue. God already had Rebekah picked out, so why did the servant need
to pray?
The prayer and the
answer of the prayer confirmed to those involved that God was in this
situation. If the servant had not prayed, he would have attributed the
situation to luck or coincidence. This confirmation helped the servant and
others to know that God answers prayer.
When our prayers are
answered, others see God involved. Because of the servant’s prayer story,
Bethuel and Laban (Rebekah’s family) both agreed God wanted Rebekah to go with
the servant and marry Isaac. Our testimony of prayer speaks to those around
us and helps to bring them closer to God.
Prayer gives us
reassurance and connects us with God when we see our prayers answered. Prayer
is more for us to increase our faith and to point the glory to God. It reminds us who is in charge.
God knows the answer to our prayers. Prayer reminds us who has all the answers.