1. Moses: A Model of Prayer Also: Excuses in Prayer

2. Recall: Prayer is the vital and personal relationship with the living and true God. It is a conversation with God.

3. Exodus 3: Moses and the Burning Bush “Here I am.” –Listen first. Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. –A gesture of reverence and respect. Acknowledging God’s presence. In this conversation with God (prayer), Moses is given a mission: –Set the Israelites free from slavery to the Egyptians. They are suffering! Moses is scared so he starts making excuses.

4. Exodus 3: Moses and his excuses 1.Who am I? I’m a nobody! I’m not worthy. A.Trust me. I am somebody and will make you somebody. 2.Who are you? What do I say? –Divine name: –Trust me. –He is given step by step instructions. 3.What if they don’t believe me? –I will give you the signs you need. –Trust me! 4.I’m not a good public speaker. –Don’t you know who I am yet? Trust me!

5. End of the Excuses Moses finally says, “I don’t want to do it, send someone else.” This angers God and is not really an excuse at all. Though angered, God still gives Aaron to Moses as an aid and again as a way of saying: Trust me!

6. Prayer to conclude lesson: Attend to the pleas of your people with heavenly care, O Lord, we pray, that they may see what must be done and gain strength to do what they have seen. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

7. Our Mission

8. Our own excuses…

9. Letter to God