Moses asks to see God in all his glory. But no one can see God and live (33:20)! Has Moses lost his mind? Or is he perhaps as close to the heart of God that he’s ever been? Is he actually asking God for the exact sort of thing that God wants to give? Indeed, God’s response tells us everything. He will do it.

Editor’s note: The following article was adapted by the author from his book Pour Out Your Heart: Discovering Joy, Strength, and Intimacy with God through Prayer (pp. 99, 102–107). Pour Out Your Heart is available now from B&H Publishing and wherever books are sold.

In the Scriptures, God gives his people a surprising and uncomfortable amount of participation in his eternal purposes. He often waits to fulfill his plans until he can fulfill them through us. He waits till we pray.

God is in no discernible hurry. He instead moves in our hearts to seek him, desire his kingdom on earth, and boldly ask for his glory to cover the earth. Our prayers literally do change the world. God has ordained this unexpected and strange pathway to his glory, and indeed, he is the one who gets the glory in the end.

We know Moses as the great leader of Israel, and we know him as one of the Old Testament’s preeminent prophets too. But have we considered the remarkable prayer life of Moses?

Moses’s Bold Request(s)

God would often draw Moses to himself for days at a time, revealing himself and his will to Moses. In Exodus 32, the Israelites get tired of waiting for Moses to come down from the mountain, and they quickly spiral into corruption and make a golden calf out of their gold jewelry. Moses is distraught over their sin, and knowing God to be holy and righteous, fears that Israel might be completely wiped out. Moses goes directly to the Lord in prayer and asks that God forgive their sin (32:32). God responds that he will punish them for their sin but agrees not to totally destroy his people (32:33–35).

God tells Moses he will still give the Israelites the promised land, but he will not personally lead them anymore—the pillar of cloud, representing his presence, would not remain with them. He will instead send an angel to go before them (33:1–3). So, Moses’s first prayer has been granted, but he’s not done yet.

Moses approaches God a second time in the tent of meeting. It’s here that we learn that God would regularly speak to Moses face to face, as one talks with a friend (33:11). In this prayer conversation, Moses makes his second request, citing God’s own character and goodness first. He prays, “Remember that this nation is your people” (33:13). He’s appealing to God’s own faithfulness and steadfast love. Moses continues, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here” (33:15). He’s saying: If you don’t personally come with us, God, what is the point of any of it? It’s not enough to send an angel. We want you, God!

Now, this is a bold second request, and we might fear that God will respond with anger. We might tell Moses he should be content with his first request being answered. But one answered prayer has a way of increasing our faith and boldness. So Moses makes this second request, and it seems to delight God even more. God responds, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name” (33:17). Prayer number two is also answered.

Now, I played basketball every day through high school and college, and I can tell you this. If I made a three pointer, it made me want to shoot another three.

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