Moses confronts God in prayer

As the Lenten season leads us to Easter, our times of seeking God can lead us to repentance. But undoubtedly we mean our need to repent, not God’s!

Moses had other thoughts. His honesty, faith, and daring placed him face-to-face with God – a position which can also lead to confrontation!

Exodus 32:11-13 – King James Version

And Moses besought the Lord his God,

and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot

against thy people, which thou hast

brought forth out of the land of Egypt

with great power, and with a mighty hand?

Wherefore should the Egyptians speak,

and say, For mischief did he bring them out,

to slay them in the mountains, and to consume

them from the face of the earth?

Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent

of this evil against thy people.

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel,

thy servants, to whom thou swarest

by thine own self, and saidst unto them,

I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven,

and all this land that I have spoken of will I give

unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019 

Exodus 32:11-13 – paraphrased

O, Lord, why are You so angry

with Your people – the very ones

You rescued with such great power?

After displaying Your mighty force,

do You really want everyone

to think You brought us here 

to strike us dead?

Please do not bring disaster!

Remember Your faithful servants

who have gone before us –

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob –

and how You promised them

countless descendants

more numerous than stars.

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations and paraphrased by nullMary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

As Christians, we’re also to be honest with God and express our faith, knowing Jesus is beside us, ready to help.

“For there is one God, and there is one Mediator for all people – Jesus Christ,” 1 Timothy 2:5.

“Jesus Christ has negotiated a new covenant between God and us,” Hebrews 9:15.

Throughout Lent and beyond, may we always feel free to approach the Lord with what troubles us – no matter what!

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2020

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The prayer-song of Miriam

Until the Exodus from Egypt, the only life Moses’ sister Miriam had known was as a slave. Once she and the Hebrew people had safely crossed the Red Sea, Miriam not only burst into a song of prayer and praise, she encouraged God’s innumerable people to do the same.

Exodus 15:21 – a prayer-song of Miriam

Sing ye to the Lord,

for he hath triumphed gloriously;

the horse and his rider

hath he thrown into the sea.

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019 

Exodus 15:21 – a prayer of Miriam

We sing to You, Lord

for You are to be exalted!

How gloriously You

have triumphed!

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations and paraphrased by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

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Moses’ prayer of praise

Crossing the Red Sea (or Sea of Reeds), Moses witnessed the power of God as the Lord rescued His people from Pharaoh’s grip and over four-hundred years of slavery in Egypt. In awe and wonder, Moses burst into this praise-filled prayer:

Exodus 15:6, 11, 13, 17-18 – a prayer of Moses

Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power:

thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods?

who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful

in praises, doing wonders?

Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people

which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them

in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them

in the mountain of thine inheritance,

in the place, O Lord, which thou hast made

for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord,

which thy hands have established.

The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

Exodus 15:6, 11, 13, 17-18 – a prayer of Moses

How glorious and powerful is Your hand, O Lord!

Your right hand holds back the enemy.
 

No god among them is like You, Lord,

for You alone are gloriously pure, 

praise-worthy, and able to perform wonders.

You guide Your people whom You have

redeemed by Your faithful love;
With strength, You lead us to holy places.
 

You bring us to the land You possess

and settle us in the place You prepared

for us to dwell.

Lord, Your hands create a sanctuary,

and You will reign forever and ever!

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations and paraphrased by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

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Moses’ prayer of complaint

Earlier this week, someone posted an article on the Internet with images showing what happens to the brain when we complain. Reportedly, a habit of complaining rewires the brain, making a person more and more aware of every little negative thing!

When Moses led God’s people out of slavery and toward the promised land, he had to deal with countless complaints by countless people. As mediator between them and the Lord, he presented the grievances directly to God in prayer:

Exodus 5:22-23 – a prayer of Moses

And Moses returned unto the Lord,

and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou

so evil entreated this people?

why is it that thou hast sent me?

For since I came to Pharaoh

to speak in thy name,

he hath done evil to this people;

neither hast thou delivered thy people

at all.

From the Book of KJV Prayers – actual prayers from God’s Word collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019, from the King James Version of the Bible

Exodus 5:21-22 – a prayer of Moses

Lord, why

have You brought

so much trouble

on Your people?

Why did You send me?

Ever since I got here

things have gotten worse,

and You’ve done nothing

to help!

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations and paraphrased by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

Continual candor and persistent prayer in frequent heart-to-heart talks with God helped Moses to develop a deep faith and trust. Undoubtedly, those choices and actions also kept his brain from being hot-wired to attract negativisms!

Today, scientists assure us that simply becoming aware of the tendency to complain is the first step in stopping the problem. In fact, the brain has a remarkable plasticity by which it can rewire itself as we conscientiously change our thought patterns. How? We have only to look back about 2,000 years for the answer that, as God-incidence would have it, happens to be today’s verse from Bible Gateway:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things,” Philippians 4:8, King James Version (KJV.)

May the Lord God help us to hear and heed!

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2020

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The conflicting prayers of Moses

Have you ever responded eagerly to a call by God only to have fear or apprehension enter the equation? Moses did.

At first, the Burning Bush consumed his curiosity – but, amazingly, not the bush! As he turned aside to better see, he immediately heard God’s call.

Moses answered like a school kid at roll call! But when he realized God wanted him to do something big, trepidations set in, and he begged God to send someone else.

You know the rest of the story. Despite his hesitation, Moses obeyed God’s will and did the job he’d been asked to do – leading God’s people out of slavery.

Exodus 3:4 – a prayer of Moses

And when the Lord saw that he (Moses)

turned aside to see,

God called unto him

out of the midst of the bush, and said,

Moses, Moses.

And he (Moses) said,

Here am I.

Exodus 4:13

And he (Moses) said,

O my Lord, send, I pray thee,

by the hand of him

whom thou wilt send.

From the Book of KJV Prayers – actual prayers from God’s Word collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019, from the King James Version of the Bible

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Exodus 3:4 – a prayer of Moses

Here I am, Lord.

Exodus 4:13

O Lord, send someone else!

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations and paraphrased by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

May God help us to discern the tasks we’ve been given to do, trusting that the Lord will also give us everything we need to carry out the job.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2020

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Jacob prays for a blessing

After being away for a couple of decades, Jacob heads home with two companies of peoples and a massive amount of livestock. Clearly, God has blessed him! So why does he pray to be blessed?

Genesis 32:26 – a prayer of Jacob

And he (a man of God or angel)said,

Let me go,

for the day breaketh.

And he (Jacob) said,

I will not let thee go,

except thou bless me.

From the Book of KJV Prayers – actual prayers from God’s Word collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019, from the King James Version of the Bible

Genesis 32:26 – a prayer of Jacob

Lord, I will

not let

You go

until

You bless me!

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations and paraphrased by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

Jacob had already prayed for deliverance from his brother Esau and sent over 500 animals ahead as a peace offering. He remained behind with his family and servants, but sometime during the night, he arose, divided the people into two groups as a safety precaution, and sent them on ahead. He would have been all alone – except for the Angel of God with whom he wrestled.

As day began to break, the Angel insisted Jacob let him go, but Jacob refused until he received a blessing. Obviously, this was no request for material goods or riches. Nor did the prayer repeat a desire for God to be with him since the Lord already was! Jacob had God’s presence, protection, and power, but a blessing can also mean permission, approval, or anointing.

On that night, God bestowed every aspect of blessing, including forgiveness, as He changed Jacob’s name (one who supplants or displaces) to Israel – one who triumphs with God.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2020

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Jacob prays for deliverance

Trickery and an aptitude for manipulating people marked Jacob’s early years, but after being treated that way for a long time by his father-in-law, this son of Isaac headed home with a new attitude.

The problem was, Jacob didn’t know what his twin brother Esau, whom he’d tricked more than once, might do! However, Jacob did know God had blessed him. Humbling himself before the Lord, he asked for protection and deliverance in this prayer.

Genesis 32:10-11 – a prayer of Jacob

I am not worthy

of the least of all the mercies,

and of all the truth,

which thou hast shewed

unto thy servant;

for with my staff

I passed over this Jordan;

and now I am become two bands.

Deliver me, I pray thee,

from the hand of my brother,

from the hand of Esau:

for I fear him, lest he will come

and smite me, and the mother with the children.

From the Book of KJV Prayers actual prayers in God’s Word collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019, from the King James Version of the Bible

Genesis 32:10-11 – a paraphrased prayer of Jacob

Lord, I am not worthy

of all the loving kindness

and faithfulness

You have shown me,

for I began with nothing

and now have far more

than I could ever need.

But, Lord, I’m alarmed

by those I fear might

harm me and my family.

Please deliver us, I pray.

From the Book of Bible Prayers actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations and paraphrased by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

May God help us to let go of the past as we humble ourselves before Him and begin the New Year in prayer, praise, and appreciation.

Mary Sayler, ©2020

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