Written by: John Sernaque
Dear Reader,
Books / Pr - Prayer (2002) / Chapter 1—God Invites Us To Pray Chapter 1—God Invites Us To Pray
Like Moses, We May Enjoy Intimate Communion With God—That hand that made the world, that holds the mountains in their places, takes this man of dust,—this man of mighty faith,—and mercifully covers him in a cleft of the rock, while the glory of God and all His goodness pass before him. Can we marvel that the “excellent glory” reflected from Omnipotence shone in the face of Moses with such brightness that the people could not look upon it? The impress of God was upon him, making him appear as one of the shining angels from the throne. {Pr 14.4}
This experience, above all else the assurance that God would hear his prayer, and that the divine presence would attend him, was of more value to Moses as a leader than the learning of Egypt, or all his attainments in military science. No earthly power or skill or learning can supply the place of God’s immediate presence. In the history of Moses we may see what intimate communion with God it is man’s privilege to enjoy. To the transgressor it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But Moses was not afraid to be alone with the Author of that law which had been spoken with such awful grandeur from Mount Sinai; for his soul was in harmony with the will of his Maker. {Pr 15.1}
Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. The eye of faith will discern God very near, and the suppliant may obtain precious evidence of the divine love and care for him.—(Gospel Workers, 34, 35.) {Pr 15.2}
As the noonday shines forth in its brightness, even more so shall the light from God almighty be as one enters into His presence. Moses received the light with such brightness that the people could not look at him directly, so he had to veil his face. Moses experienced the Shekinah glory of God. The Israelites also experienced the Shekinah glory as they journeyed in the wilderness.
And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, [from] before the people. Exodus 13: 20- 22.
We have the opportunity to enter into God’s presence through prayer. God invites us to pray to Him as a friend. Through intimate communion with God, we can experience His Shekinah glory. We can receive the impress of God and reflect His light unto this dark world, that when people see us, they see Christ Jesus. O come to the Father through Jesus the son, and give Him the glory, great things He hath done.
Our Father, God almighty,
We come into Your presence, humbly and meekly unto a friend, that we may receive Your Shekinah glory. We pray that You will make an impress upon us that we may appear as one of the shining angels from the throne. You have invited us to come into Your presence and expect great things from You. Therefore, we pray for a double portion of Your Holy Spirit and that we may reflect Your light to those lost souls in the world who are living in darkness. We pray that we may bear witness of the Light, are able to lead those to the foot of Your throne, that they surrender their life to You, that they may know Your saving truth and be made free. May they trade darkness for light and know that You are the Light of the world. We pray that we may walk as children of Light that leads our path. As You led the Israelites, we pray that Your light leads us on the strait path that leads to Your heavenly kingdom. We pray for Your continual divine presence and thank You for allowing us to enjoy this privilege. Your omnipotence is unmatched in this world, yet You fill us with Your power from on High that we may do great things in Your name. We pray that You do not take Your Spirit or Light away from us, we have a work to do for Your name and glory. Help us to continue to be true to the Law and to Your Word as You have told us “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them.” We pray that You grant us Your strength and courage to march forward and onward as Christian soldiers. We are sorry and repent of our sins, and pray for forgiveness. These things we pray, in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen.
