Week 1: Prayers for Pursuing God while Waiting
Henry Ford was 45 when he started a car business. Julia Child was 50 when she got her first cooking show. Moses waited 80 years before his real calling in life emerged. Though he initially resisted this calling, Moses’ willingness to accept leading a nation of slaves into freedom took much, much longer than he’d ever dreamed.
In the meantime, turning to God became a habit for Moses for the rest of his life.
As Gene Appel walks us through an actual prayer Moses prayed, know these words eventually became lyrics to a worship song for a community to use in pursuing God together. That song is known today as the 90th Psalm, and we will use a piece of it every day this week to connect to God during these times when we also look into the unknown.
Day 1
A Prayer of Acknowledgment
ac·knowl·edg·ment
“acceptance of facts, official recognition”
Psalm 90
A prayer of Moses the man of God.
1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
“The first step on the path to positive change is acknowledgement that change is necessary and possible. Open yourself to the possibility of seeing the world in a new way. What do you have to lose?”
– Alex Blackwell, female Cricket athlete from Australia
One of the things God instructed Moses to do for Israel when they were in the desert was to set up a beautiful tent they could keep with them to signify his “dwelling place” among them. This huge tent reminded them that someone much bigger and more powerful than any hardship or enemy was in the middle of them. It is surprising then that Moses acknowledged here that God had always been their dwelling place throughout all generations, even when they were in slavery, especially when facing the unknown. For a moment, can you visualize how it might be possible that God has been with you before you were ever aware of it? During your lowest moment? Your best moments? List three things you are feeling right now as you ponder God’s presence in these moments.
Moses acknowledged that before there were mountains, before there was a world, there was God. What does it mean to you that God predated you? That He is “up to date” in this season of your life, and will postdate your current situation as well? How can your circumstances—as you face the unknown— be informed by a God who is present in this way?
Pray
- Repeat verses 1 and 2 as a prayer to God. Say the words slowly, more than once if you need, to begin acknowledging God in a new way, this first day of your 21-day journey with Him.
- Note three words in the opening of this worship song that stuck out to you as you prayed them. Use each one to form three more personal prayers to begin your day. They can be prayers of thanks, acknowledgments, or requests that come to mind.
- Three weeks from now, you will be a more anchored follower of Jesus, one who pursues God, builds community, and unleashes compassion in new ways. What is your secret hope that you want to materialize by the end of this prayer journey? Ask God for it now.