Bible passage:
Genesis 24: 2-4, 10, 12-14, 26, 27 - And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, that I may make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” Then the servant took ten of his master's camels and departed, taking all sorts of choice gifts from his master; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor. And he said, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.”....
The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord and said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the Lord has led me in the way to the house of my master's kinsmen.”
Most interpretations identify the servant (mentioned in Genesis 24) as Eliezer of Damascus, the servant who might have got all the property of Abraham if he was childless (Genesis 15:2). This trusted servant of Abraham is given the most important task - finding a bride for Isaac. He prays a beautiful prayer of intercession - 'show steadfast love to my master'. He doesn't merely pray for success for himself, he wants his success to be a blessing for his master. This aspect is repeated in his thanksgiving prayer too. He thanks God for His faithfulness towards his master, and then for the success he has had that day. Probably Eliezer had it easy. He had a loving master in Abraham and was willing to cross deserts from him. But, even with a mistress like Sarah who mistreated Hagar, God did ask Hagar to go back.
Some of us may have been hurt, disrespected, exploited, or betrayed by our superiors, some may have a very apathetic or nonchalant relationship, or some of us may have a flourishing mentor relationship. Whatever the case, God would be happy when we pray for our superiors. Let the focus be on praying for them (not merely for our relationship with them, or how they treat us). Let's pray that our bosses will experience God's peace and joy, that they would have happy and united families, that they do see success in their endeavors and financial prosperity, and that they taste and see that our God is good. [By the way, pray for them by name (which is more personal), not just by mentioning designation].
Prayer points:
Pray that they would enjoy good health, joy, and peace in their hearts and at their homes.
Pray that God would give them the wisdom that they need, the humility to accept advice or correction, the perseverance to take things to completion, and the vision to know what's good for the organization and the employees.
Pray that God would prosper the work of their hands and that God would give them success in every good thing that they've taken up.
Pray that God would honor them, lift them up, and make them a blessing for those around.
If you can, try memorizing Phil 1: 9, 10.
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