Prayer changes
The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a terrible sin, but I will go back up to the Lord on the mountain. Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for your sin.” So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a terrible sin these people have committed. They have made gods of gold for themselves. But now, if you will only forgive their sin—but if not, erase my name from the record you have written!” But the Lord replied to Moses, “No, I will erase the name of everyone who has sinned against me. Exodus 32:30-33
In Exodus 32, the Israelites got impatient waiting for Moses to come down from Mount Sinai that they asked Aaron to make them a god that they can worship. Aaron went along with the request of the people that he asked them to get all the gold rings their families possess. He melted the gold and fashioned it to form a golden calf. God was aware of what was happening that He commanded Moses to quickly go down from the mountain (see Exodus 32:7). Moses saw the sinful condition of the people but he did not realize that God will bring judgment to their rebellious actions. Since Moses had several instances to be in the presence of the Lord, he gained confidence communicating with God. He learned how God respond to His requests. When God told him that he will lead the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, he tried to evade from this responsibility but because he constantly communicated with God, his attitude change and he willingly followed God. When you pray, it is not to change God’s will for your life but your will to conform to His. When you pray you are not asking God to just place His stamp of approval to what you are requesting Him to do. When Moses realized that God will send judgment to the Israelites, he felt compassion for the people. He asked God to let him sacrifice himself so that the people will be spared from punishment. “But now, if you will only forgive their sin—but if not, erase my name from the record you have written!” (Exodus 32:7). Moses, by asking God to grant his request, demonstrated selfless prayer interceding for others. This was a manifestation of growth in his prayer life. Before, he communicated with God his lack of concern for the Israelites and now he is asking God to take him instead of the ones that sinned before God. Prayer is God’s way of changing you and the focus of your life. When you pray, the Holy Spirit will convict you of the areas of your life that needed change. His goal is for you to grow in compassion for others like the compassion Jesus has for people. He will also help you to request what God wants to accomplish in your life so you could always be following His will. “We don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will” (Romans 8:26-27). If you find it difficult to love others, begin to pray. When you find yourself not having the motivation to serve Him, ask Him to change your heart. When you come to God regularly in prayer, you will begin to understand His heart and you will never be the same again.
Blessings,
