Prayers of the Bibleনমুনা

What do you need most right now?

Take a moment—really think about your answer.

• If Jesus could answer any prayer for you right now, what would you ask for?
• Would you pray for healing from sickness or injury?
• Or would you seek guidance for a difficult decision?

Would you ask for a new job, increased income, or provision for your needs?

Or would you ask for more of God’s presence in your life?

In today’s reading, Moses intercedes for Israel. The word intercede comes from the Latin intercedere, meaning “to go between.” Moses was a mediator for God’s people, speaking to God “as a man speaks to his friend.” I wonder, do you speak to God like that?

In Exodus 33, God tells Moses that, because of the Israelites’ sin with the golden calf, He will not go with them to the Promised Land. Instead, He will send an angel to drive out the people who are there. God will remain faithful to His promises, but His presence will not go with the Israelites.

In response, Moses interceded, and instead of asking for protection or provision, Moses prayed for God’s presence and God’s glory. Moses essentially prayed, “If You are not going with us, don’t send us at all” (v. 15). And then in Exodus 33:18, Moses prayed, “Please show me Your glory.”

Today, ponder this: What do you need most right now? Maybe, just maybe what you need today more than anything else is more of God’s presence and glory?