A Simple Bible Prayer for God’s Guidance and Wisdom
Pablo Diaz
Whatever challenge or decision you are facing today, pray these words.
One of my favorite prayers in the Bible is the one said by Abraham’s servant as he carried out a
request to find a wife for Abraham’s son, Isaac: “Please give me success today…”
The story goes that after Abraham buried his wife Sarah, he knew his time of death was near.
Abraham had one thing in mind—to marry off Isaac. Abraham sent his trusted servant, loaded with 10
camels bearing gifts, back to Abraham’s homeland to start his search.
It was evening when the servant arrived at the city of Abraham’s family. He took the camels to the
well outside of town where the women were drawing water. He knew he was in over his head; he was
not a matchmaker. But the servant understood that the stakes were high; his master was counting on
him to get the job done.
Instead of acting on his own, the servant turned to God, and that’s when he prayed, “Please give me
success today.” It was a simple and short prayer that acknowledged his dependence on God, and it
aligned his heart’s desire with God’s.
Author and theologian, E. Stanley Jones, wrote, “Prayer is aligning ourselves with the purposes of
God.” The servant knew that God was interested in the outcome of his mission. And indeed, when
Rebekah offered the servant a drink at the well, his prayer was answered.
The awesome news is that we pray to a God who knows and is concerned about everything
happening in our lives. When we find ourselves in a place of uncertainty and not sure what path to
take, “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch
over you’” Psalm 32:8 (NLT).
God wants us to succeed in all that we do. This even includes the things we consider insignificant. This
is something I have learned from my wife; she prays to God about everything. When she is looking for
a gift for someone, she prays. When she is out shopping or running errands, she prays. When
someone needs her help, she turns to God. It doesn’t matter how small the task, she prays.
All of us have responsibilities, tasks and assignments that without the Lord’s help are impossible to
achieve. Every day we face demands and challenges. We go to work to provide for our families. We
care for a loved one battling an illness. We study long hours to enhance a career.
Prayer doesn’t negate our role in actions we need to take. But it gives us wisdom and Godly direction.
Prayer gives us perspective. It opens the way for God to guide, empower and even do the impossible.
So whatever you are facing today, you can pray: “God give me success today.”
Worship Calendar
Feb. 22 TBA TBA Rev. Jan Hieminga
Mar. 1 Seeing Without Hating Ecclesiastes 7:16-22 Rev. Eric Lee
Titus 3:1-7
Ash Wednesday
February 18
MATTHEW 6:1–21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth…but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19–21)
The quiet of a Canadian winter is a good time to refresh our spiritual practices, and Jesus gives us something to focus on here: fasting, giving, praying, and forgiving. Each of these are addressed in Jesus’s teaching from Matthew 6:1–21. Not only do we receive instructions on prayer that has become the church’s beloved “Lord’s Prayer,” we are also reminded of the value of embodying forgiveness toward others.
What I find most compelling in this passage is that Christ urges his followers to practice these things “in
secret.” By doing these things in secret, we not only avoid the pitfalls of hypocrisy, but also give ourselves the opportunity to draw our minds into our heart, our inner prayer chamber. Here we can fully listen for Christ’s invitation. In quiet times and places, we can regain alignment between our inner being and our outward actions, which naturally results in treasure. Unifying our hearts with Christ’s self-giving love reveals the reality of God’s Kingdom and bears the fruit of new life and reconciliation within us and around us.
Dear Jesus, as we slow down and move more deeply into our heart spaces this Lenten
season, may we discover again your treasure alive in us and all around us. In your holy name
we pray, AMEN.
Pastor Eric
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pancake Supper
Graceview’s annual, Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Supper was a huge success. The downhome pancakes were delicious, and the company was even better. Pancakes were followed by either chocolate cake or vanilla cake with a dollop of ice cream to top it all off. Many thanks to the Outreach team for facilitating this.
World Day of Prayer
You are invited to attend the World Day of Prayer meeting at Fellowship Reformed Christian Church on Friday,
March 6, at 1:30 PM. The theme is, “I Will Give You Rest” and the host country for whom we will be praying is
Nigeria.
Laptops and Tablets Needed
After researching and consulting with the elders of the First Presbyterian Church of Antigua, which
Rachael and Pastor Eric visited last March, the mission committee has decided to purchase a laptop
and 6-8 months of Wi-Fi for the students of the church, where it will be kept and shared so students
can become familiar with this technology.
If you have a laptop or tablet that is in good condition that you’d like to donate, please contact
Rachael before mid-March.
The Presbytery of West Toronto team will be bringing the laptop to the church during March break.
Lenten Candle Liturgy Readers
Feb. 22 – Nancy G. & Norma H
Mar. 1 – Georgena E. & Rachael C.
Mar. 8 – Lynne & Al
Mar. 15 – Iris L. & Carol H.
Mar. 22 – Kathy & Bob
Mar. 29 – Harry & Pat
Thank you to the above volunteers. If you have a scheduling conflict. Please let Susan know as soon as
possible.
Be Courageous
Then God said to Noah, “Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and
their wives.”—Genesis 8:15–16 (NIV)
Imagine the profound faith it took for Noah to take that step onto dry land after the flood.
Reflect on moments in your journey where faith was your sole guide. Let Noah’s unwavering
trust inspire you to step out in faith, even when the path seems uncertain.
Heavenly Father, stir within me the same obedience displayed by Noah—to
courageously follow Your lead.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Tuesdays @ 11:00 AM – Walking Group – All are welcome
- Thursdays @ 2:00 PM – Worship service at Centennial Park Place
- Thursday, Feb. 19 @ 9:30 AM – Sing! Etobicoke @ GV
- Sunday, Feb. 22 @ 11:45 AM – Bell Ringers rehearsal
- Sunday, Mar. 1 @ 10:30 AM – Sacrament of Holy Communion
- Friday, Mar. 6 @ 1:30 PM – World Day of Prayer at Fellowship Christian Reformed Church
- Sunday, Mar. 8 @ 11:30 AM – Annual General Meeting
- Tuesday, Mar. 24 @ 12:00 noon – Lenten Lunch followed by a Lenten Prayer Hour
- Thursday, Apr. 2 @ 2:00 – 4::00 PM – Stations of the Cross in the sanctuary
- Friday, Apr. 3 @ 9:30 AM – Hot Cross Buns served before Good Friday service
WEEKLY GIGGLE
Domestic Bliss
One afternoon a man came home from work to find total mayhem in his house. His three children were
outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door of his wife’s car was open, as was the front door to the house.
Proceeding to the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall. In the front room, the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing. In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.
He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over the toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she may be ill, or that something serious had happened. He found her lounging in the bedroom, still curled in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel.
She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, “What happened here today?”
She again smiled and answered, “You know every day when you come home from work and ask me what in the world did I do today?”
“Yes,” was his incredulous reply.
She answered, “Well, today I didn’t do it.”
Author Unknown –