A Prayer for Deliverance and Strength Amid Oppression
"So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour. And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses. And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive." - Exodus 1:11-22
O Lord God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, we come before You today seeking Your presence in a world that is often filled with oppression and despair. We meditate on Your Word from Exodus 1:11-22, where we witness the hardship imposed upon the children of Israel, a people You have chosen as Your own. We begin our prayer in earnestness, fully aware of our dependence on Your holy guidance and comfort in times of suffering.
Gracious Father, in these verses, we read about the harsh realities faced by the Israelites as they toiled under the oppressive hand of the Egyptian rulers. "So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses." (Exodus 1:11) Lord, we recognize that throughout history, Your people have often faced trials and tribulations at the hands of oppressors. We ask for Your mercy and intervention in the struggles we encounter in our own lives and in the lives of our brothers and sisters across the world who endure injustice and bondage.
We acknowledge our own suffering, both in body and spirit, and we cry out to You for relief and redemption. Though Pharaoh sought to diminish Your chosen people, we are reminded that "the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew." (Exodus 1:12) Father, instill in us that same resiliency and strength. Help us to rise above our circumstances, to flourish despite oppression, and to find new life in Your everlasting love. May we embrace our trials, knowing that through them, You are preparing us for greater things.
Lord, we are moved by the bravery of Shiphrah and Puah, the Hebrew midwives who "feared God" rather than obeying the decree of Pharaoh, choosing instead to save the innocent lives of new-born boys. (Exodus 1:17) Inspire us with their courage, O Lord! Grant us the strength to stand firm in our faith, even in the face of tyranny and injustice. May we seek to protect the vulnerable within our communities, and always choose to act in accordance with Your will, even when it is not popular or safe.
Let us remember the words of the midwives as they answered Pharaoh, "Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them." (Exodus 1:19) Their trust in You allowed them to defy the king’s orders. Help us, Father, to trust in Your divine plan, knowing that every act of righteousness resounds through eternity. When we feel powerless, remind us that our actions, no matter how small, can lead to significant outcomes.
We thank You, Lord, that "God dealt well with the midwives" and that the people "multiplied, and waxed very mighty." (Exodus 1:20) We pray for similar blessings in our lives. May we be instruments of Your peace in a world that often chooses chaos, uplifting those who are oppressed rather than furthering their suffering. Empower us to speak truth to power, to stand up for justice, and to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Father, we close this prayer with a plea for Your guidance as we navigate the complexities of our lives. Help us to demonstrate the same fear of God that the midwives did, leading us to act with integrity and compassion, even when it seems our actions may not yield immediate results.
We ask for Your protection over the innocent, especially the children, and we pray that the hearts of those in power may be softened to seek justice, mercy, and righteousness. Instill in us a spirit that brings forth life and hope, rather than despair and death. For we know, O Lord, that You are the ultimate deliverer and sustainer. May Your light shine brightly in the dark places of our world.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we offer this prayer with hope and expectation. Amen.
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Exodus 1:11-22 Artwork
"So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly. They made their lives bitter with harsh labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their harsh labor the Egyptians worked them ruthlessly. The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?” The midwives answered Pharaoh, “Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.” So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.”" - Exodus 1:11-22
Exodus 1:11-22 - "So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly. They made their lives bitter with harsh labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their harsh labor the Egyptians worked them ruthlessly. The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?” The midwives answered Pharaoh, “Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.” So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.”"
Exodus 22:28
Exodus 22:28
Exodus 22:28
Exodus 22:28
Exodus 22:28
Exodus 22:28
Exodus 22:5
Exodus 22:5
Exodus 22:28
Exodus 22:5
Exodus 22:28
Exodus 22:28
Exodus 22:28
Exodus 22:28
Exodus 25:10-22
Exodus 17:11
Exodus 1:11 - "Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses."
exodus 12:22 painting door lintel with blood
1 Samuel 22:11-13
Acts 1:1-11
Exodus 22:11 - "Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good."
The Plague on the Firstborn - Exodus 11, 12:1-30
The Plague on the Firstborn - Exodus 11, 12:1-30
Acts 1:1-11
Exodus 22:1 - "If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep."
Exodus 22:22 - "¶ Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child."
Exodus 1:1 - "Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob."
Exodus 15:22