Moses’ Examples of Prayer -Part 1

One book I read states that we should study these passages until our hearts are filled with the part that prayer must play in the lives of people who want to be God’s servant to their fellow men.

When Moses was first called, he was very reluctant. Beyond reluctant even. He felt totally unworthy and ill-equipped for any task relating to being God’s spokesperson. But I have come to learn that the majority of us feel unworthy, and that is what keeps most of us from following the Lord even half-heartedly. We must remember that “if God made me, I am worthy [and God did make me].”

“But I am not the person for a job like that!” Moses exclaimed. Then God told him, “I will certainly be with you, and this is the proof that I am the One who is sending you: When you have led the people out of Egypt, you shall worship Me here upon this mountain!” But Moses asked, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them that their fathers’ God has sent me, they will ask, ‘Which God are you talking about?’ What shall I tell them?” (Exodus 3:11-13)

But Moses said, “They won’t believe me! They won’t do what I tell them to. They will say, ‘Jehovah never appeared to you’!” … Moses pleaded, “O Lord, I’m just not a good speaker, I never have been, and I’m not now, even after You have spoken to me, for my speech is slow and halting.” “Who makes mouths?” Jehovah asked him. “Isn’t it I, the Lord? Who makes a man so that he can speak or not speak, see or not see, hear or not hear? Now go ahead and do as I tell you, for I will help you to speak well, and I will tell you what to say.” But Moses said, “Lord, please! Send someone else.” Then the Lord became angry… (Exodus 4:1-14)

Then, after finally deciding God’s way was the only way and that God would help him do what God wanted him to do, Moses goes to the people and to Pharaoh to deliver the messages God instructs him to deliver. But even before the miracles are displayed and the plagues start, Moses feels compassion for the people of God, that they be relieved of their oppression.

Then Moses went back to the Lord, “Lord,” he protested, “How can You mistreat Your own people like this? Why did You ever send me, if You were going to do this to them? Ever since I gave Pharaoh Your message, he has only been more and more brutal to them, and You have not delivered them at all!” (Exodus 5:22-23)

Compassion will consume us once we give our lives to God and His purposes.