Human Response 159: Worship and Prayer

Exodus 34:8-9 And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped. And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and sin, and take us for thine inheritance.

The Lord had come down and stood before Moses and proclaimed His character of mercy; the Lord passed by before him. In response to this glorious manifestation and gospel proclamation, Moses responded quickly by bowing his head and worshipping God.

Then he was bold to pray: 1) go among us (don’t leave but stay with us); 2) pardon our iniquity and sin (forgive our trespasses); and 3) take us for your inheritance (grant eternal life as sons of God). The Lord had just shown His glory and holiness and declared His love and forgiveness. This manifest appearance frightened him into believing God, and the gospel proclamation comforted him into loving God.

The faith and love moved him to worship. The reassurance emboldened him to pray. Worship and prayer is also our response to the preaching of Law and Gospel. In faith and worship we pray for God’s presence (name, kingdom. will), for provision (daily bread), for pardon (forgive trespasses), and for protection (from temptation and evil). We thank Him for giving us His love, for moving us to pray, and for hearing our prayers.

When the Lord confronts us with His glorious power and His loving mercy, we respond by bowing our head, worshipping Him, and then praying. Actually, His Presence is with us always, so our whole life is worship and prayer.