A Prayer for Courage and Faithfulness in Trials
"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?" - Exodus 1:18

O Lord Almighty, the God who sees and knows all, as I bow before You today, I am reminded of the profound events in Exodus, particularly the moment when the king of Egypt summoned the midwives. In Exodus 1:18, we read, "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?" This Scripture echoes through the ages, reflecting themes of courage, defiance against tyranny, and unwavering faith in You.
Heavenly Father, just as the midwives Shiphrah and Puah stood boldly before a tyrannical authority, refusing to obey the edict that commanded them to act against the sacredness of life, grant me the same spirit of courage in the face of opposition. In a world where we often face pressures to conform and comply with systems that do not honor You or respect life, instill within me a holy boldness that rises above fear. Help me understand that standing up for what is right, even when it is costly, is always the path You call me to walk.
Lord, I ask that You give me a deep understanding of the value of life—a value that is embodied in the very image of God found within every human being. The midwives, motivated by their fear of You rather than the fear of Pharaoh, demonstrated a remarkable strength of character. Teach me, O God, to weigh the consequences of my actions against my commitment to You. May my heart beat in rhythm with Your desires, and may my choices reflect Your righteousness and justice.
As the midwives faced the wrath of their king, grant me the wisdom to navigate the trials that come my way, discerning when to speak out and when to act in silence. May I never relent in my pursuit of justice and mercy, just as those brave women defied Pharaoh’s orders. Remind me, Lord, that it is always worth it to stand for truth and protect those who cannot protect themselves. Let my life be a testimony of faithfulness in the name of Jesus Christ, carving out spaces of grace and safety for others.
Father, I reflect on the context of this passage, where oppression and fear ruled, but also where You raised up brave deliverers like the midwives. Empower me to be a vessel of Your love and strength. In times of difficulty, help me to rely on Your promises, believing in the possibility of rescue and restoration. Even when the governmental authorities or societal structures seem against us, I declare that Your power is greater than any earthly power.
Moreover, as we engage with the world around us, let us not forget to surround ourselves with the support of brothers and sisters in Christ. United, we can be a force for righteousness in the face of injustice, just as Shiphrah and Puah acted in solidarity to save lives. Lord, teach us to encourage one another, to be bold together, and to lift each other up in prayer and action.
As I commit this prayer to You, remind me of the promises in Your Word that testify of Your faithfulness. Strengthen my resolve to live a life that reflects Your truth and upholds the value of every life, especially those who are marginalized or oppressed. May I never lose sight of the call to be a voice for the voiceless, believing wholeheartedly that You see my efforts, even when the world does not.
In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray for courage, wisdom, and a heart that fears You above all else. Amen.
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Exodus 1:18 - "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 king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive?" - Exodus 1:18
Exodus 1:8 - "Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph."
"Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph." - Exodus 1:8
Exodus 18
Exodus 31: 18
exodus 18:11
Exodus 18:1 - "When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt;"
Exodus 22:18 - "¶ Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."
Exodus 15:18 - "The LORD shall reign for ever and ever."
Exodus 35:18 - "The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords,"
Exodus 28:18 - "And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond."
Exodus 10:18 - "And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD."
Exodus 18:18 - "Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone."
Exodus 33:18 - "And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory."
Exodus 36:18 - "And he made fifty taches of brass to couple the tent together, that it might be one."
Exodus 26:18 - "And thou shalt make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards on the south side southward."
Exodus 18:17 - "And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good."
"And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly." - Exodus 19:18
Exodus 2:18 - "And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?"
"¶ Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." - Exodus 22:18
"The LORD shall reign for ever and ever." - Exodus 15:18
"The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords," - Exodus 35:18
Exodus 18:24 - "So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said."
Exodus 18:27 - "¶ And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land."
Exodus 18:15 - "And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:"
Exodus 39:18 - "And the two ends of the two wreathen chains they fastened in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod, before it."
Exodus 7:18 - "And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river."
Exodus 24:18 - "And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights."
Exodus 18:13 - "¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening."