3 Ways to Pray Like Moses

Moses said to the LORD, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.”

Exodus 33:12-13 ESV

In today’s passage, we find Moses talking to God. He was completely overwhelmed at his task: leading God’s people into the promised land.

No small task.

They were a ragtag group of former slaves, with no real military experience, who were on their way to take over the land of Canaan (a.k.a. the promised land). They also had a penchant for doing the wrong thing at the wrong time.

It’s pretty obvious Moses knew he was in over his head. But if we read closely, there are three wonderful examples we can take away.

1. Moses Doesn’t Pretend

First, Moses didn’t pretend like he had everything under control.

Essentially, he’s saying: “God, you’ve told me to do the impossible. But how am I supposed to go it alone? If you’re really with us, show me how this is supposed to work!”

Moses asks God to “show me know your ways” so that he can find “favor” with God.

2. Moses Makes His Case To God

Second, Moses made his case to God.

He described exactly where he was at and what he was up against.

Now, didn’t God already know what was happening?

Of course he did! But when we talk to God like this, he listens. We also get an opportunity to understand what we should actually be asking for.

3. Moses Asks For Something Specific

Third, Moses wasn’t vague.

This is so important because when we ask for something specific, we get a testimony. When God answers a specific prayer, God alone gets the glory and our faith is increased.

Consider the difference in these requests:

• Lord, please help our family with our money problems.
• Lord, my daughter is sick and we have hospital bills piling up. We’re working extra shifts and saving as much as we can, but we are still $500 short of paying our mortgage this month. Please show us your way to meeting our financial obligations — and even more — being financially generous to those around us.

Moses prayed specifically about finding God’s way to lead the people into the Promised Land.

What should you pray more specifically for?

To recap, here are three ways to pray like Moses today:

1. Don’t pretend. Be honest about where you’re at and ask God for his help.
2. Make your case to God. Describe your situation and talk it out with him.
3. Ask for something specific. This will give you a testimony when God answers.