Learning How to Talk with God - Pt. 2

 

[Moses said] “At that time the LORD said to me, ‘Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and come up to me on the mountain and make an ark of wood. And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets that you broke, and you shall put them in the ark.’ So I made an ark of acacia wood, and cut two tablets of stone like the first, and went up the mountain with the two tablets in my hand. And he wrote on the tablets, in the same writing as before, the Ten Commandments that the LORD had spoken to you on the mountain out of the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly. And the LORD gave them to me. Then I turned and came down from the mountain and put the tablets in the ark that I had made. And there they are, as the LORD commanded me. I myself stayed on the mountain, as at the first time, forty days and forty nights, and the LORD listened to me that time also. The LORD was unwilling to destroy you. And the LORD said to me, ‘Arise, go on your journey at the head of the people, so that they may go in and possess the land, which I swore to their fathers to give them.’” (Deuteronomy 10:1-5; 10-11 ESV).

 

In our reading today, Moses explains that when he received the commands of God on tablets of stone, he prayed fervently for the people. This was the second time he had gone up on the mountain to receive God’s law, because the people had sinned while he was away the first time. The people had sinned so badly that God threatened to destroy them, but Moses interceded for them, and God heard Moses’ prayers and sent the people on their way. (cf. Deuteronomy 9:7-29). We should learn to pray with fervency.

 

Fervent prayer is passionate, intense, and heartfelt communication with God, characterized by sincerity, unwavering faith, and persistence. It involves pouring out one's heart and emotions to God with deep longing or supplication, rather than simply asking for things. To pray fervently, focus on praying purposefully with an undivided heart and a persistent, unwavering faith. Fervent prayer is intense and passionate; it is a passionate outpouring of one's heart to God, fueled by intense emotion and deep sincerity; and it is persistent. This is prayer that is done with unwavering faith, not giving up even when circumstances are difficult, as shown in the parable of the persistent widow. A key element in fervent pray is praying with an undivided heart and trusting in God's character and power, which is the source of its power, not human effort alone. It is important to pray purposefully and specifically, aligning one's will with God's.

 

When our hearts are troubled and seeking God’s grace on behalf of our churches, families, coworkers, partners, and other hurting or lost souls, we pray. It is powerful to pray and to be prayed for persistently. We pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). It is not unusual for people to intercede for others who are in need, such as homeless, sick, hungry, or displaced individuals. Even more, we can pray for people to repent and be forgiven. We count on God to move mightily in people’s lives and situations because we know God loves them.

 

James 5:16 assures us that it is this kind of prayer that is powerful and effective. God listens to us, and Jesus, the Savior, faithfully intercedes for us (cf. Romans 8:34). Pray like that and see the amazing work of God accomplished in your life!