“Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. He said, “For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD”
AT REPHIDIM: “Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.”
JETHRO’S ADVICE: “You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.”
THE GOLDEN CALF: “So Moses went back to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed!…But now, please forgive their sin‑‑ but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.” <Ex.32:31-32 NIV).
AT HAZEROTH: “Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses…”Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?” they asked….(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.) So Moses cried out to the LORD, “O God, please heal her!” . “Because of his Cushite wife”: (NOTE! The attack on the woman was a pretext; its focus was the prophetic gift of Moses and his special relationship with the Lord – NIV Study Bible)
AT PARAN: “All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron…..Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?”…In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.”
MOUNT SINAI: “I lay prostrate before the LORD those forty days and forty nights because the LORD had said he would destroy you. I prayed to the LORD and said, “O Sovereign LORD, do not destroy your people, your own inheritance that you redeemed by your great power and brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand.” .
It is the duty of all God’s servants, especially those in the capacity of leaders, to be intercessors for God’s people. We should note very carefully God’s description of His servant: “a very humble man, more humble than anyone else” : humility is the key to all intercessory prayer as we are reminded: “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” .
Intercessory prayer is necessary even when God’s servant is constantly being attacked and criticized by those he/she is attempting to lead.