Moses prayed the above verse whenever the Israelites in the desert prepared to break camp and set out with the Ark of the Covenant on a new stage of their journey. When that day's travel was finished, Moses prayed: "Return, O Lord, You Who ride upon the clouds, to the troops of Israel" (Nm 10:36). In this way, God led the Israelites through a cloud of fire on their journey. God's assistance in the time of the exodus is the model of all future divine assistance.
As Moses did, so the Church also prays morning and evening prayer in the Divine Office. This prayer prays that, as God has called His people forth on mission, we would go forth trusting that the Lord goes before us in the direction He has called us. We trust that He will be especially present throughout the day, clearing away His enemies (and ours) like walls of water to each side so that we could walk through the danger zone of mission on dry ground like the Israelites through the Red Sea (Ex 14:21ff).
We face so many enemies to the spread of the Gospel and to setting people free in Jesus. The Lord faced enemies when He healed the woman who was stooped over (Lk 13:14ff). Jesus' enemies were humiliated and "covered with confusion" (Lk 13:17). Like Moses, call upon the Lord daily in the morning as you begin His work and in the evening as you finish His work. He will clear you a straight path (see Lk 3:4; Is 40:3).
| PRAYER: | Father, may I love my enemies in Jesus, but not let them prevent Your kingdom from coming on this earth. |
| PROMISE: | "Should not this daughter of Abraham here who has been in the bondage of Satan for eighteen years have been released from her shackles on the sabbath?" –Lk 13:16 |
| PRAISE: | Dolores prays for the unborn, their parents, and for abortionists. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College