Genesis 24:10-15 – “Then the servant took ten camels from the camels of his master, and he went with all kinds of good things of his master’s in his hand. So, he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. ¹¹ And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at evening time, the time when the women go out to draw water. ¹² And he said, “O Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, please cause this to happen before me today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham. ¹³ Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water; ¹⁴ now may it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar so that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will give water to your camels to drink also’—may she be the one whom You have decided for Your servant Isaac; and by this I will know that You have shown lovingkindness to my master.” ¹⁵ And before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor, was coming out with her jar on her shoulder.”  LSB

We need to consider specificity in prayer and how that relates to faith.  In Genesis 24, we have the prayer of Abraham’s servant regarding the wife he was commissioned to bring to Isaac.  The specificity of the prayer is important.   He even told God where he was and who was around him.  He asked for specifics.  Our petitions need to become extremely specific.  God is a God of detail.

The Book of Acts reveals the incredible journey of the apostles and the fledgling church.  They were people of intense prayer as they waited in obedience to Jesus’ command to tarry.  They did not know the dynamics of what awaited, but they waited in prayer.

The result of the infilling of the Holy Spirit produced an attitude of confidence that Nothing Was Impossible with God or for them.  In Acts 3, Peter and John encountered the lame man at Gate Beautiful.  Something specific caught my attention.   Peter’s words, “Look at us,” brought hope to the beggar.  Then his words deflated him.  “I don’t have any money…” 

What Peter did next was amazing.   He declared healing in Jesus’ name.  I am convinced that had he done what we have done, no healing would have transpired at times.  We declare, pray, and walk away.  Peter extended his hand to the cripple and pulled him to his feet.  “As he pulled the man to his feet, suddenly power surged into his crippled feet and ankles.”  Healing transpired! 

In Acts 2:16, Peter explains to the people that faith in Jesus’ name caused the healing.  The question that we need to address is, who had the faith? 

• Was it the lame man?   That does not seem to be indicated in this account. 
• Was it Peter and John?  They appear to be the ones manifesting faith for healing. 

Peter declared what (healing) and by whom (Jesus), then acted on his faith, and healing occurred. 

Specificity in prayer coupled with definitive corresponding action brought about the miracle. 

• Do we fall short in specificity?
• Do we fail to boldly declare God’s promises? 
• Do we walk away without acting on our declaration of God’s promises without acting in faith?

Specific prayer has an element of risk.  Bold faith has an element of risk.  We could fail and suffer embarrassment in the eyes of people.  I’ve heard the argument that if we dared and failed, it would bring discredit to God and then allow timidity to prevail. That is a flawed argument!

Let’s be bold and specific in our prayers, fearless in claiming God’s promises, and dare to fail.  Peter was so filled with the Holy Spirit that they put the sick along his path, expecting them to be healed by the power of God emanating from him.  Lord, make me so full of You that the power and love of God can be felt and experienced when I walk by.

I hate the devil’s works.  Jesus came to destroy them and has authorized us to use His name and power to overcome them.   Expect a miracle!  God is the God of the Impossible!

May the God of the Impossible manifest Himself in you and to you today!