Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation’” (Exodus 19:3-6 NASB).
Everything begins with preparation. Becoming an effective prayer warrior first means preparing yourself every day for serious, intimate communication with God. That is when breakthroughs can happen in every area of life.
Moses’ life began as a journey of faith – his parents’ faith when they chose to trust God for the protection of their baby boy. His life continued as a life of faith as God led him step by step to carry out the purpose He had for Moses. No, Moses was not perfect, but that did not prevent God from using him. That gives me great hope as I see my shortcomings in my own journey of faith.
We must prepare our hearts for prayer by creating an atmosphere that makes it easy to commune with God.
My prayer as you journey the life of Moses, that you would grow deeper in your own journey of faith, that you would be encouraged as you see God use an imperfect, ordinary person, and that you would be willing to let God work in and through you to carry out His purpose(s) for you.
The Preparation
As we look at the beginning of the life of Moses and his journey of faith. How did God prepare Moses for his purpose in life? How long did the process take? I find myself at times becoming impatient with God’s schedule, like an impatient traveler wanting to avoid delays, detours, and layovers. Yet He always makes it clear to me that I need to wait on Him and not move ahead. When I have stepped forward in my own strength, I have always failed miserably.
As you look at Moses’ early years, make note of how God prepared him for what was ahead. Notice how negative situations were used for good in God’s plan. When you become discouraged by your own difficult circumstances, be encouraged as you study the life of Moses and his journey of faith, knowing that God can use you. God knew the path of our lives before we were ever born, and He sovereignty has had His hand on us from the very beginning.
God knew the path of our lives before we were ever born, and He sovereignty has had His hand on us from the very beginning. God has His hand on you from the very beginning of your life. He makes no mistakes. When, we will look at the early years of the life of Moses, look of the ways God directed Moses’ path through the people God placed in his life. Our early years are never wasted. They are part of the process God uses to prepare us for following Him throughout our lives. God is very much aware of what is going on in your life. He cares even when it seems He is silent.
God had His hand on Moses from the time he was born. He orchestrated every detail of his life, to place him where He wanted him to be. He knew the purpose He had for Moses. He knew what would be required to prepare him and when Moses would be ready. God know the appointed time, and season to begin your journey, you cannot step ahead of God. Your journey was planned before you were born.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11.
God’s thoughts about us are exclusively positive. All the thoughts that God has toward us are about giving us peace, hope, and a future.
Moses tried to get ahead of God and step out in his own strength, which led to failure. However, that did not prevent God from using Moses to carry out His purpose, but it took forty more years of preparation.
Are you willing to let God use you? Are you willing to go through the preparation process and wait on God’s timing? If you have made mistakes, don’t let those mistakes defeat you and discourage you. Learn from them and move forward under God’s leading. Walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, not in the strength of your flesh. Wait for God’s timing. Let Him prepare you for the task(s) He has called you to do for His glory.
Here are eight steps to create an atmosphere of prayer that will help you focus more keenly on your conversation with the Lord.
1. Wait Quietly Before the Lord
Learn to make your presence known to God, then wait until you feel Him near. James 4:8 (ESV): Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. God is already there, waiting for your heart and mind to come into tune with His.
Moses, Ezekiel, the prophets, and Jesus Himself came into God the Father’s presence with stillness, calmness, and serenity. You can, too.
Moses was a great intercessor. When God chose to respond to the cries of His children in Egypt, He sent them a deliverer who truly knew how to intercede on behalf of a sinful people. As a matter of fact, Moses could be described as one of the most powerful intercessors found in the Bible. What characterized his intercession when he was praying for the Hebrew nation?
First of all, Moses was a great listener. His spiritual ears were always attentive to God’s voice. The more he listened, the better he became at knowing not only God’s will for the nation but also His heart toward the nation.
Second, Moses had tremendous faith. It’s one thing to know God’s will, but it is quite another to boldly act on it. Again, this marks a great quality of an intercessor—the boldness of heart to pray, speak, and then even lead others to walk according to God’s plan.
Third, he centered his appeals to God on the basis of God’s own reputation. Moses believed that if God did not complete what He initially intended to do in delivering the Hebrew nation from Egyptian oppression, those who watched from the viewpoint of neighboring nations would question God’s power and love.
Finally, as an interceding leader, Moses was willing to identify himself with the obstinate people for whom he prayed. God had spoken of destroying the rebellious Hebrews and starting over with Moses. Yet Moses so loved both the people and the God against whom they had sinned, that he was willing to stand in the gap between the two, staking his very life on the graciousness of God.
We have a horribly one-sided concept of prayer. We think that we are the ones who initiate prayer. But most often, if not always, it is God.
Moses knew this. God would put him in situations that created a need. Such needs were orchestrated by God to drive Moses to Himself.
When Moses responded to God’s call, the Lord gave him the most wonderful, encouraging words, not only for himself but for the whole nation. These are the kinds of things God longs to communicate to His children if they will wait before Him in dependent, expectant prayer.
Have you ever thought that God longs for prayer more than you do? He knows that you cannot do His will and glorify Him fully if you are not in communion with Him.
God is knocking, calling, throughout each day. Certainly, the dramatic needs around us for revival and spiritual awakening are His invitation to extraordinary prayer.
You must wonder what God has waiting for you and those around you if you would respond to His invitation—often disguised as a need.
2. When you Spend Time with God, He Reveals What He Wants You to do Next.
We spend most of our time during the day trying to figure out what God wants us to do, and we waste the whole day.
3.Remove Distractions
Find a quiet location and inform your family that you are unavailable. Give yourself permission to have a quiet conversation with the Lord.
4.Get Comfortable
It’s hard to focus on the Lord when you’re uncomfortable either because of your clothing or position. Make sure you are relaxed, so you can focus on the Lord and what the Holy Spirit is revealing to you.
5.Begin with the Word
God’s Word is a great way to begin your prayer time. Reading the Word reminds you of God’s promises and all that He has done and spoken to His people over the ages.
6.Prepare Your Heart with Praise and Worship
Begin your prayer time with praise and worship. It is an excellent way to get your mind off what is going on around you and help you focus on your time with Lord.
7.Listen to the Holy Spirit
What has the Holy Spirt spoken to you since your last time together? What is He speaking to you now? Allow yourself to be quiet so you can hear what He is speaking to your spirit.
8.Pray in the Spirit
Before you begin asking the Lord for what you want or bringing issues to His attention, spend time praying in the spirit. Give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to speak through you as you use your prayer language.
Matthew 6:6 says, “When you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Setting aside a designated prayer time is a mighty discipline in the life of a believer. As you commit to do it, prepare the atmosphere with these eight steps. Let this time be fulfilling, affirming and life-changing for you!
