In Genesis 25 and 26, we come to the close of Abraham's life and the start of the next phase of Isaac's life. We see a beautiful picture of love in the way Isaac interceded for his wife, Rebekah. We also see that God renews the promise specifically to Isaac, and that it is passed down because of the obedience of Abraham. And when this happens, Isaac gives a familiar response: he worships. Pray that God would help you to love others more, and that he would help you to walk more closely in his commands, so that his work in your life would be evident to all. And also pray that he would continue to renovate your heart so that you might always respond to his work in your life.

In Genesis 23 and 24, we see the end of Sarah's life and the first official ownership of land in Canaan for Abraham. Abraham was old when he finally possessed a small piece of the land which God had promised. Then, Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac, and we see the prayerful expectation of the servant and the worshipful response of the servant when God proves to be faithful. Pray that God would help you to pray in faith with expectation so that you will see his faithfulness in your life.

In Genesis 21-22, we see the promise of a son fulfilled in the birth of Abraham's son Isaac. In the midst of this, God shows care and concern even for the well-being of Ishmael, and we also see that God's blessing and presence in lives ought to be evident. Then, God asks the unthinkable: he tells Abraham to sacrifice the son he waited 25 years for. The passage reminds us that God desires our hearts and that our response to God must always be obedience and worship, for he wants what is ultimately best for us. Pray that God would test your heart and reveal to you where you hold back and are disobedient, that you may be cleaned and purified and be able to walk in obedience and in worshipful response to the work He does in your life.

In Genesis 18-20, we see the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, both of which are said to be full of wickedness and sin. God demonstrates his wrath and judgment on the cities because of sin, but also illustrates salvation and mercy through the rescue of Lot and his family. Sin has serious consequences. Pray that you would be reminded to take seriously the urgency of obedience to God's commands and that He would help you to not only walk with courage in his ways but also to boldly speak of the hope we have in him to a sinful world.

In Genesis 17 and 18, God renews his promises to Abram once again, but this time it is accompanied by a name change and the sign of circumcision. God called on Abraham to walk in obedience and that the result would be a special relationship with the Almighty God. These passages remind us that inward transformation produces outward manifestation. We must also remember that God's timing is perfect, and our faith must always be in the giver, not the gift. Pray that God would remind you of his abundant goodness and that he will help you be transformed inside so that you may produce the fruit of such transformation outwardly.

In Genesis 12-16, we are introduced to Abram (later called Abraham) and the early part of his story. God promises many things to Abram, but what is profoundly significant is that God's call and promises to Abram hinge on Abram's willingness to leave behind the comfort, security, and stability that he knew. Additionally, Abram's response to God's word was obedience and worship! Yet he did not walk perfectly. As we often do, when the God seems silent, we can lose sight of God's promises and His goodness. Pray that you would always be reminded of the goodness and grace of God, and that you would be comforted and encouraged that God delights in and desires to bless those who love him.

In Genesis 11, a community of people embark on the creation of the Tower of Babel, that they may make a name for themselves. However, their pride ultimately leads to their fall: God disperses them and confuses their language. God is not willing to give up his place as the Almighty. Pray that you would be reminded to lay down your pride and your ambitions so that you may live to make the name of God great.

Genesis 5-10 tell the story of Noah, from the generations before him, to the flood story, to the generations following him. In the Flood narrative, we see the tragic consequences of sin manifested in the complete destruction of creation. We are reminded of the truth of the wrath of God and the justice of God. Yet we also see that God still longs for relationship with His creation and reveals his willingness to redeem. Pray that God would remind you of the reality and urgency of His wrath but also the abundance of His goodness and grace, and that you would live out these truths daily.

Genesis 4 tells the story of Cain and Abel. Both bring sacrifices to God, yet God only looks favorably on Abel's sacrifice. Filled with resentment and contempt, Cain kills Abel, becoming the Bible's first murderer. What was wrong with Cain's sacrifice? Or, perhaps, was it a matter of the heart? God's design was for our good, and at the heart of it is the truth that God is sovereign and we are not. Pray that God would remind you of the beauty of his design, and that his ways are meant to lead us to life.

In Genesis 3, the first created human beings sin against God after being deceived by a serpent. The harmony and order which was evident in God's creation from Genesis 1 has been turned into division and chaos. The beauty of relationship established in Genesis 2 became strained and hostile. Yet God had abundant grace on Adam and Eve, as He does for us today. Pray that you would be reminded of God's grace in light of our sin, and that we would learn to walk in His ways so that we may be at peace with him and others, concerned only for the things He cares about.