The purpose of Exodus is to record
the events of Israel’s deliverance
from Egypt and devt as a nation.
This week we seek God through
different ways of imploring Him.
On Mon, we learn from Ex 1/2
about Prayer as a Groan.
On Tuesday, we learn from Ex 3
about Prayer as a Dialogue.
On Wed, we learn from Exodus 4
about Prayer of Excuses Unwise.
On Thur, we learn from Ex 5-7
about Prayer as a Complaint.
On Friday, we learn from Ex 9-10
about Prayer in Alliance with God.
On Saturday, we learn from Ex 14
about Prayer, Listening & Action.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.
Delivering the people from Egyptian bondage is only the first step in God’s plan to bring the Israelites to the Promised Land of Canaan. Many obstacles lie ahead.
Pharaoh, whose heart is again
hardened, sends his armies in
pursuit of Moses and the people.
Trapped bet the Red Sea & rapidly
approaching chariots of Egypt,
the people Cry Out in desperation and God answers miraculously.
Lord, we’ll Pray, Listen & Act: Order the Israelites to… camp… along the shore… I have planned
this in order to display my glory
through Pharaoh & his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD! (Exo 14:1-4).
So the Egyptians pursued them,
all the horses and chariots…
And when Pharaoh drew near,
the children of Israel lifted their eyes,
and behold the Egyptians marched
after them. So they were very afraid
and the children of Israel Cried
Out to the Lord (Exodus 14:9-10). Moses said to the people: Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord…(He) will fight for u…And the Lord said to Moses: Why do you Cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to Go Forward. Lift up your rod & stretch out over the sea & divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground thro the midst of the sea (v13-16).
Lord, I am listening for Your voice, and I am not ruling out anything unless it really contradicts Your infallible word or holy character.
For there is no twist in this life journey that is beyond Your nature.
So, Lead me into and out of any
predicament You may choose
that may not make sense in near
term but will be eventually. Amen.
Lord, just like the Israelites we may find ourselves with dashed hope. But trust that every unexpected twist of events was part of Your sovereign and deliberate plan.
Everything was perfectly positioned
so that the only explanation for what
will take place is Your mighty hand.
So sovereign God, Show me Your
great power even as I stand still
and wait for Your salvation. Amen.
Lord, help me understand while waiting for a leading from You, when it is time to take action. Help me to be wise enough so that I can recognise the answers to my prayers when they come in unique ways I was not expecting. Give me the knowledge of Your will that let me know when it’s time to stand up & take steps of faith. Amen
When a person will not obey God
willingly, God will often bring to
bear circumstances that force
him to obey God unwillingly.
Such is the case with reluctant
Pharaoh of Egypt. God sends
a series of national calamities
to impress upon Pharaoh the
importance of obedience.
Lord, we’ll Pray in Alliance with You:
Then the Lord said to Moses:
Stand before Pharaoh and say
to him: Thus says the Lord God
of the Hebrews: Let My people
go that they may (worship) Me…
Indeed for this Purpose I have raised
you up, that I may show My power
in you, and that My name may be
declared in all the earth (Ex 9:13-16)
And Moses went out of the city
from Pharaoh and spread his hands
unto the Lord: and the thunders
and hail ceased, and the rain was
not poured upon the earth (Ex 9:33)
Then Pharaoh called for Moses…
in haste and said: I have sinned
against the Lord your God…
Entreat the Lord your God that He
may take away from me this death…
So he went out from Pharaoh and
entreated the Lord. And the Lord
turned a very strong… wind which
took the locusts away (Ex10:16-19)
Lord, we see in Moses contests
with Pharaoh that he leaned
heavily upon You God; and You
promptly unleashed forces of nature.
Moses stretched his hands towards
You & Open hands towards heaven
indicate human need and also
divine ability to meet those need.
Moses entreated the Lord,
inferring prayer of great earnesty.
Help us learn from Moses both
the posture of dependence on You
and the intensity of spirit. Amen.
Lord, help me to learn to pray in
power; and increase my faith to
believe for answers to my prayers.
Inspire and enable me to become
an intercessor for others,
esp those who yet to know You.
Grant that I will become a person
of great faith and power in prayer.
And that people around me can
know and rust in You God. Amen.
Lord, we note that Pharaoh
turned to Moses for help, the
one he knew could truly intercede.
And we are reminded that You
Jesus charged the disciples to
love your enemies & pray for them.
Help us Lord to be ready & willing
to pray for all, even the wicked.
And help us to control our emotions
towards others, whatever the
provocation they may heap on us.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
With his long period of desert
exile drawing to a close, Moses
becomes God’s choice to lead His
people out of bondage in Egypt.
When confronted by God in the
burning bush, Moses is far from
convinced he is the right man
for the job! But once his objections
have been answered & knowing
the Almighty All Sufficient God
can meet all his needs, Moses
goes forward to confront Pharaoh.
Lord, Listen to our Queries:
Pharaoh shouted… Get back to work!
No straw will be given to you,
but you must still produce the
full quota of bricks… Then Moses
went back to the Lord and protested:
Why have U brought all this trouble
on Yr own people Lord?.. Ever since
I came to Pharaoh as Yr spokesman,
he has been even more brutal to
Your people. And You have done
nothing to rescue them (Ex 5:17-23).
Then the Lord said: Now you shall
see what I will do to Pharaoh…
He will let them go… out of his land.
And God said: I’m the Lord (Ex 6:1-2)
But Moses said: I can’t do it!…
Why should Pharaoh listen to me…
So the Lord said… You shall speak
all that I commanded u. And Aaron..
shall tell Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of his land.
Moses and Aaron did so, just as
the Lord commanded… And all
the waters that were in the river
were turned to blood (E6:30-7:2,20)
Lord, we note in Exodus 5 that
following an unsuccessful visit
to Pharaoh, Moses address to You
was unmannerly. The complaining
attitude was same as the Israelites
when they got tired of manna.
You however met the impatience of
Moses with patience & consideratn.
Help us Lord in times of pressure
to stay cool and be patient. Amen.
Lord, we may not like Your methods,
preferring & expecting like Moses
faster results and fewer problems.
But we realise when You God is
at work, suffering, setbacks and
hardships may yet still occur.
We can be sure however that
each hardship has a purpose.
When difficulties come our way,
Help us Lord to Trust You God
will do what is best for us; for You
are faithful and will not abandon us.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Lord, like Moses, we have to learn
that response to Your call is not easy
or a pathway of continual success.
Just as You God did not state
when You would deliver Your
people from the hand of Pharaoh;
You does not always answer
in a time-table fashion. But grateful
we note You encouraged Moses
with a renewed commission
which resulted in obedience.
Be gracious with us Lord. Amen.
With his long period of desert
exile drawing to a close, Moses
becomes God’s choice to lead His
people out of bondage in Egypt.
When confronted by God in the
burning bush, Moses is far from
convinced he is the right man
for the job! But once his objections
have been answered & knowing
the Almighty All Sufficient God
can meet all his needs, Moses
goes forward to confront Pharaoh.
Lord, we’ll try Not to Give Excuses:
Moses said: Suppose they will
not believe… So the Lord said:
What is that in your hand? He said
A rod. And He said: Cast it on the
ground… it became a rod in his hand,
that they may believe that the Lord
has appeared to you (Ex 4:2-5).
Moses pleaded with the Lord: I am
not very good with words, even
though you have spoken to me.
I get tongue-tied. Then the Lord
asked Moses: Who makes person’s
mouth? Is it not I, the Lord. Now go!
I’ll be with you as you speak, and
I will Instruct you in what to say. But
Moses again pleaded: Lord please!
Send anyone else (Exo 4:10-13)
So the anger of the Lord was kindled
against Moses… You shall speak to
(Aaron) and put words in his mouth… So he shall be your spokesman
to the people (Exodus 4:14-16).
Lord, help me realise that
when You ask something of me,
You also fully understand what
I need to complete the task.
And the past You have guided me
thru is also speaking to me about
the future You are guiding me into.
Show me Lord what You can do
with the things in my hands,
for all I have is Yours to use. Amen
Lord, we have tendency to give
excuses to avoid responsibility
as it may be inconvenient to do.
We may also feel inadequate when
called to perform tasks that seems
too difficult; especially if done alone.
But then God usually wasn’t asking
us to work alone as in Moses.
Prod us Lord not to hide behind
inadequacies but step out in faith
for You will Provide resources
to do Your work. In Jesus’ name.
Lord, we noted that You had
provided Moses three signs of
the rod, the leprosy and water
poured out as blood to assure
Moses that You God would under
-take what’s necessary for him.
So when Moses replied: Send
someone else to Your call, the
honours were shared with Aaron.
While he was a help to Moses,
Aaron was also a trial & hindrance.
Help us Lord to rely completely on
You for that’s the best way. Amen.
With his long period of desert
exile drawing to a close, Moses
becomes God’s choice to lead His
people out of bondage in Egypt.
When confronted by God in the
burning bush, Moses is far from
convinced he is the right man
for the job! But once his objections
have been answered & knowing
the Almighty All Sufficient God
can meet all his needs, Moses
goes forward to confront Pharaoh.
Lord, You’re the All Sufficient One:
God called (Moses) from the bush…
I have seen the misery of my people
in Egypt. I have heard their cries for
deliverance…Now go for I’m Sending
you to Pharaoh. You Will Lead my
people… out of Egypt (Exo 3:7-10).
But Moses said… Who am I that
I should go to Pharaoh and that
I should bring the children of Israel
out of Egypt? So He said: I will
certainly be with you… (v11-12).
Then Moses said: when I come to
the children of Israel & say to them:
The God of your fathers has sent
me to you, and they say to me:
What is His name? what shall I say
to them? And God said to Moses:
I AM WHO I AM. Thus you shall
say to the children of Israel: I AM
has sent me to you (Exo 3:13-14).
Lord, let us learn from Exodus 3
where we see a remarkable exchange between Moses & You.
After all true prayer is really a
two-way channel – we speak to
You God and God speaks to us.
When we pour our hearts to You,
help us Lord to listen for Your reply.
For prayer is quite fruitless unless
we receive some reply from You.
Perhaps as with Moses, it may be
a word we are unwilling to hear,
or a word we may argue about.
Help us to conclude our two-way
talk with You saying: Speak Lord
for Your servant heareth. Amen.
Lord, You’re the all-sufficient one,
holding the world in Your hands.
Your sufficiency is comforting for
I am after all one of Your children.
And I can see my insufficiency
in the light of Your all-sufficiency.
Pardon me the impatience I feel
when something goes wrong.
Forgive any doubts that You are
mighty and good; for You can
and will meet my needs. Amen.
All Sufficient Lord, You are beyond
our capacity of full understanding.
But we trust Your Spirit will grant
the things U want us to experience.
Empower us to cooperate with You
even as You manifest Your kingdom.
And thanks for Your lovingkindness
& praise You for being our All in All
and for supplying all that we need.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
As Jacob’s descendants continue
to multiply and prosper in Goshen,
they pose a growing threat to the
new Egyptian ruler. His plan to
kill all newborn Hebrew boys is
thwarted by courageous midwives;
and in this context of danger,
the child Moses is born. Destined
to become the deliverer of God’s
people, Moses enjoys the finest
education in Pharaoh’s court.
But when he seeks to deliver Israel
in his own time and way, Moses
finds himself fleeing for his life
to the desert if Midean. There he
spends the next 40 years tending
sheep and awaiting God’s instructn
Lord, we’ll Cry Out to You for help:
Now there arose a new King over
Egypt who did not know Joseph.
He said: Look the children of Israel
are more and mightier than we…
So they set taskmasters to afflict
them with their burdens (Ex 1:8-11)
When Moses was grown…he went
out to his brethren and looked at
their burdens. He saw an Egyptian
beating a Hebrew… When he saw
no one, he killed the Egyptian…
When Pharaoh heard of this matter,
he sought to kill Moses. But Moses
fled to… land of Midian (Ex2:11-15)
Then… Israel groaned because of
the bondage, and cried out to God.
So God heard their groaning and
remembered His covenant with
Abraham, Isaac & Jacob. And God
looked upon the children of Israel
& God acknowledged them (v23-25)
Lord, we note Moses learned
patience in the desert as he
tender sheep. Only when Moses
was truly ready did You God
appear to him in a burning bush
and send him back to Egypt.
Dear Lord, because I know You
want to use me in a significant way,
please help me Lord to learn the
lesson in patience You have set
before me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lord, I cry out to You for deliverance
from anything that keeps me from
becoming all You have for me.
Set me free from everything
that separates me from You.
Even in the midst of what
seems to be hopeless situation,
You can do Your greatest work.
For I know and Thank You Lord
that You are a God of miracles.
I pray You’ll do a miracle in my life.
In Jesus mighty name, Amen.
Lord, we note that the groans
of the people of God were as
prayers in Your eyes. And we read
that “God heard their groaning,
God remembered… God looked…
and God acknowledged them.
Paul reminds us of the groaning
of the Holy Spirit in relation to
His intercession on our behalf.
Thank You that when our prayers
are too emotional for words,
Your Spirit takes over and the
inarticulate anguish is understood
and responded by You God. Amen.
Backgrounder to Genesis 37-41:
Though the favourite son of his
father Jacob, Joseph alienates
himself from his brothers by his
forthrightness of his two dreams.
Envy grows into hatred until finally
the brothers sell him into slavery.
Taken to Egypt, Joseph suffers
injustice at the hands of Potiphar’s
wife & later from forgetful butler.
Through it all, God has a good plan
for both Joseph as well as Israel.
A difficult dream sent by God to
Pharaoh jars the memory of the
chief butler; and Joseph is promoted
from prisoner to prime minister
because of his God-given insight.
Lord, we’ll Wait for Your Promise:
(Joseph) dreamed another dream.
This time the sun, the moon and 11
stars bowed down to me (Gen 37:9)
Pharaoh said to Joseph: “I had
a dream last night and no one here
can tell me what it means. But I’ve
heard that when you hear about
a dream you can interpret it.”
It is beyond my power to do this,
Joseph replied. But God can tell
you what it means (Gen 41:15-16).
The dreams of Pharaoh are one;
God has shown Pharaoh what He
is about to do… And the dream was
repeated to Pharaoh because the
thing is established by God & God
will shortly bring it to pass (v25, 32)
Pharaoh said… Since God has
revealed the meaning of the dreams
to you, clearly no one else is as wise
as you are. You will be in charge
of my court and all my people
will take orders from you (v39-40)
Heavenly Father, thank You
for Your good plan for mankind.
Help us Persevere by Waiting for
fulfilment of promise like Joseph.
Help us Trust You for challenges
even as we give our scars to You;
for You intended for good. And
Lord help us to see life problems
thru Your eyes and for Your glory.
Thanks be to You God who is able
to keep us from stumbling. Amen!
Lord, You have a solution for
every problem in the world and
every problem that we may face.
Share Your ideas Lord with us,
and we will avail to act on them
so that we can be a blessing to
others and further Your kingdom.
Put us in divine appointments,
and help us Lord to see life through
Your eyes & for Your glory. Amen
Lord, grant Be Thou Our Vision
just as the life of Joseph suggests
an overwhelming sense of
Your presence and providence.
We learn You don’t just speak into
individual lives or immediate future
for Your agenda is much broader.
When we listen for Your voice, we
need to listen with grand purposes
and long-term frame of mind. And
raise our vision beyond self needs
into Yr purpose & assignment. Amen
The purpose of Genesis is to
record God’s creation of the world
and His desire to have a people
set apart primarily to worship Him.
This week we seek God thru Bible
prayers for blessing & breakthrough.
On Monday, we learn from Gen 25
about Prayer of Plea and Inquiry.
On Tuesday, we learn from Gen 28
about Prayer as Vow for Blessing.
On Wed, we learn from Gen 32
about Prayer of Humility & Faith.
On Thur, we learn from Gen 37/41
about Prayer for Fulfilling Dream.
On Fri, we learn from Gen 48/49
about Prayer for Blessings.
On Saturday, we learn from Gen 50
of Salient Prayer of Divine Control.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.
Gen 48-50 conclude the book
of beginnings by recording the
final acts of Jacob and Joseph.
As his final earthly act, Jacob
blesses each of his 12 sons, giving
a divinely guided pronouncement
of their future history. Meanwhile,
Joseph gave a great affirmation
of faith. His body will remain
in Egypt until the release of
the newly born nation of Israel.
Lord, You Intended for Good:
Then his brothers fell down
before his face and they said:
Behold, we are your servants.
Joseph said to them: Do not be
afraid… You intended to harm me,
but God intended it all for good.
He brought me to this position
so I could save the lives of
many people (Gen 50:18-20).
Do not be afraid; I will provide
for you… And he… spoke kindly
to them. So Joseph dwelt in Egypt,
he and his father’s household. And
Joseph lived 110 years (v21-22)
Soon I will die, Joseph told
his brothers: God will bring you
back to the land He vowed to give
to the descendants of Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob (Gen 50:24).
Lord, though there is no record of
prayer from Joseph, we see in his
actions such overwhelming sense of
the presence & providence of God.
Such a God-conscious man must
have lived in full harmony with God.
We also see in Gen 50:20 You are
always in control of circumstances.
You Lord sent Joseph to Egypt as
slave & then prisoner, to position
him to receive Your promise.
Help us see circumstances from
Your divine vantage point. Amen.
Lord, sometime we wonder why
You God let us go through difficult
distressing & even unfair situation.
Thank You for the Joseph story
that encourages us to hold on tight
to our faith in You God who has
a plan and purpose in the situation.
And You will use it to bring some
-thing positive out of it. For You
promise to work all things for good
to those who love God & are called
according to His purpose. Amen.
Lord, Your promise to us is that
You are always calling the shots.
And no matter how it looks at the
moment, we are safe in Your hands,
even as You work out Your plan.
Father, we embrace our present
moment, knowing You’re in control.
Because of Your deep love for us,
Your mighty power & faithfulness,
You will work everything for good.
So we can & purpose to Trust You
in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
