Divine Guidance Through Prayer

By David Woods

Open: What was one of the most difficult decisions you have made in life?

Today we are going to be talking about receiving divine guidance through prayer. The scripture for our lesson is the story of Abraham's servant Eliezer searching for a wife for Isaac.

I would like for us to begin by reading a few verses before the printed text of our lesson.

Read Genesis 24:1-9

It is repeated over and over by older Christians to Christian young people that the most important decision they will make in life, after accepting Christ as Lord and Saviour, is the companion they will live with for life.

This is excellent advice, of course. But the question I want to ask is, "Why?"

Discussion: What are some of the reasons why the choosing of one's mate is so important?

Discussion: Beyond the reasons we have mentioned already, why did Abraham consider the choice of Isaac's wife so important?
(In case it has not already been mentioned, I believe Abraham was concerned about the continuance of his family line. The kind of wife Isaac married determined to a great degree the quality of all future generations. But most importantly, Abraham was part of a special covenant with God. This covenant was to be passed on to Isaac and his children, and their children … and on and on.)

Discussion: How do we as Christians bear a privilege and responsibility that is similar to Abraham's covenant with God?

Read Genesis 24:10-14

Sometimes, maybe often, when we ask questions of others, we are at the same time making important statements about who we are.

Discussion: What does Eliezer's request to God for guidance tell us about Eliezer?

Eliezer's request to God was one that had quite stringent requirements. By the answer or non-answer he received, Eliezer believed he could know God's will.

This type of request has been made most popular by another character in the Bible - Gideon. Gideon first asked God that the next morning his fleece would be wet and the ground would be dry.

Gideon then asked God that the next morning this sign be reversed. From this memorable story, we have the expression "putting out one's fleece."

There are differing opinions on fleeces. Some consider them crutches for those with weak faith. The writer of the "Doctrinal Discussion" for our lesson points out that after Pentecost there is no mention of "fleeces" and the tone of his writing is that asking for fleeces should be discouraged.

The writer of "Working With the Word" strongly suggests that spiritual people will ask God for a sign to solidify their answer to prayer.

Discussion: Why can asking God for a fleece be dangerous?
("We may, even unconsciously, suggest a test that will favor the answer we want. We may suggest a test that would have happened anyway, and as a result do something that we feel is God's will when it is not. Perhaps the worst danger is our attitude. It is possible to use the 'fleece' to make God the servant, instead of us." -- Adult Teacher Insights, p. 15)

Discussion: How did Eliezer's prayer avoid common dangers involved in asking for fleeces?

Discussion: Do you think asking God for a fleece is a sign of a lack of faith? Why or why not?

Read Genesis 24:15-25

Discussion: If our fleece is fulfilled, should we immediately consider it God's answer to our prayer or should we seek for more confirmation? What did Eliezer do?

Discussion: Is it wrong, after receiving a definite answer to prayer, to seek further confirmation that it is God's answer? Why or why not?

Discussion: What character traits do you observe in Rebekah?

Read Genesis 24:26-28

Discussion: Why is it important to worship God after our prayers are answered?
(It is important to let God know our appreciation for His answer to prayer. Furthermore, it safeguards us from pride and self-sufficiency.)

We may have different opinions about fleeces and prayer, but we can learn one thing for certain from this story:

Big Idea: God will guide us if we submit ourselves to Him.

I think all of us desire to live always submissive to God. Entire sanctification is essential to live this way - for the issue settled in the experience of entire sanctification is submitting oneself completely to Him.

However, though you may have a perfect motive, that does not mean you will always respond perfectly to God's voice. There is a continual submission that is necessary for the Christian.

Discussion: What are some ways we practice submission to God on a daily basis?