[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: A time to pray, and a time to act

Read: Exodus 14:1-31

Meditation verse:

“And the Lord said to Moses, “why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward” (Exodus 14:15).

Prayer is powerful. It is our lifeline to God, our source of strength, clarity, and guidance. But there are times when prayer must give way to action. In Exodus 14, the Israelites stood trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s advancing army. In their panic, they cried out to the Lord. But God’s response was startling:

“Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.” It was not a moment for more supplication—it was time to move.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that “to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.” There is a time to pray, and there is a time to act. Some breakthroughs only come when we step out in faith—when we move forward even if the waters haven’t parted yet.

Many of us have fasted, prayed, and waited for doors to open, yet we hesitate when it’s time to knock. Is it possible that God has already given you clarity, and now He’s waiting for you to take the first step? Fear, uncertainty, or waiting for “perfect conditions” can keep us stuck in spiritual paralysis. But faith often requires movement.

“God will not steer your heart in a direction unless He has already made provision for you.” As a younger Christian, I used to pray for miracles while doing nothing, hoping God would work supernaturally around my inaction.

But I’ve learned that prayer prepares the ground, while action plants the seed. In prayer, we receive instruction, boldness, and vision. But it is obedience that activates the answers. If you’ve been praying about a particular area and see no change, ask yourself: Have I acted on what God already revealed? Have I taken the step of faith He’s waiting on?

This is still a new season, and God’s word to you is clear: “Go forward.” Lay aside fear and passivity. Choose to obey the leading of the Spirit and take bold steps in the direction of God’s leading. Stop delaying what God has already affirmed. Go forward, trusting that He has gone ahead of you.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye

Founder: The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM)

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