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Jul 29, 2023 06:00am

Get Up and Go

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Prayer is a powerful resource. God delights in our prayers, allowing us to partner with Him
to accomplish His perfect will. Prayer brings joy, changes our hearts, and draws us closer to
God. Prayer deepens our love for others. It can move mountains and transform lives. There is
power in prayer and because the power is in the One who hears it, our prayers make a
difference. However, can prayer ever be out of place?

After 400 years in bondage, God freed the children of Israel. When they triumphantly left Egypt,
it was a celebration unlike any other. God went before them by day with a pillar of cloud and by
fire each night. No doubt they continued to praise Him for the marvelous works He did, right up
until they followed Him to what seemed like their destruction. Trapped between the Red Sea
and Pharaoh’s army, God’s chosen people cried out to Moses. Why did you bring us to the desert to
die? Were there not enough graves in Egypt? We would be better off as slaves than to die in
the wilderness.

The story continues. Exodus 14:13-14 says, “Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still,
and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye
have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye
shall hold your peace.” In simple language, Moses told the people to calm down. God is in
control! But look at the very next verse. “And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou
unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward,” Exodus 14:15. There is not a
word mentioned about Moses’ prayer to God. We only know of his intercession because of
God’s response: Moses, why are you crying out to me?

There are certain things we don’t need to pray about because we already know the answer.
Moses knew God’s plan. God had already told him He would get glory over Pharaoh and his army and that all of Egypt would know He is Lord (Exodus 14:4). Why are you crying out Moses? You’ve prayed enough. You have work to do. Tell the people of Israel to go forward!

Like Moses, there are things we’ve already been told to do. Jesus said to let our light shine so
others may see our good works and glorify God (Matthew 5:16). We don’t have to pray about
doing good works. Jesus told His church to go into all the world and preach the gospel, make
disciples, and baptize them. We don’t have to pray about obeying the great commission
(Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus gave us the greatest commandment of loving God and loving others
(Matthew 22:37-40). Putting God first in our life or loving others isn’t something we need to
pray about. We’ve been told to study Scripture (2 Timothy 2:15) and to be faithful to assemble
as the church (Hebrews 10:25). We don’t have to pray about these things. “To him that
knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin,” James 4:17.

Should I do this? Should I do that? What is God’s will? These are questions we ask. These are
things we pray about. However, if we’ve already been told what to do, why are we crying out?
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:16. God’s Word is all-sufficient,
meaning His Word has clear instructions on what’s right (doctrine), what’s wrong (reproof),
how to get right (correction), and how to stay right (instruction in righteousness). What is God
asking you to do? What are you crying out about that God’s already answered?
You’ve prayed enough. And, with the strength of God, get up and go forward!