Dear Church of the Open Bible,
I have people I pray for regularly: close family members, friends serving in other countries, people I’ve been discipled by, people I’ve discipled, those I’m serving alongside, those who have not put their trust in Jesus, and many others. You probably have a number of people you pray for too. So what do you pray for and how do you pray? There are always practical, everyday needs but these lists can sometimes take over our prayer time. That is why I love the example of Moses’ intercession in Deuteronomy 9. When Israel is on the cusp of being destroyed for their disobedience, Moses approaches the Lord submissively, specifically, and persistently. But it’s not just in how he prays but what he appeals to God for.
“And I prayed to the Lord, ‘O Lord God, do not destroy your people and your heritage, whom you have redeemed through your greatness, whom you have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand.” - Deuteronomy 9:26
Moses appeals to the heart of God’s priorities. He appeals to God’s character and glory. In verse 27, he asks God to remember His promises and to forget the people’s sin. And Moses could appeal to God’s character because he knew it. He had experienced it personally over the years and through God’s revealed word. So when we pray, may we align our requests with God’s priorities and character. May they be anchored in who God is, what He’s done, and what He’s promised to do.