The little bookshelf on my desk is home to all kinds of things. My planner has its space. And surprise, surprise - there are journals! One for counting my blessings, one for taking sermon notes, one for listing random “God moments” with strangers, one for recording attributes of God – oh, the journals! There are also a couple of Bibles within easy reach. But the one thing that takes up the most real estate on my little bookshelf is my prayer journal.

It's housed in a Bible carrier that contains my famous Post-It notes, my favorite pens, and slips of paper with prayer needs jotted on them. My prayer journal is organized in a way that quite possibly only the Lord and I understand. There are several categories of specific prayer focus listed within its pages, but my favorite section is the pages populated by brightly colored 2” x 2” Post-It notes. If you should find your name on one of those little squares of paper, you can be assured that I routinely cover you with prayer.

At some point in the last several years, the way I’ve prayed over those notes has been transformed. I do absolutely pray for the obvious need or situation of each person or family – healing, reconciliation, comfort, etc. But my prayer time has been taken over by praise as I recognize God for Who He is and what He’s able to do in each situation. I don’t just ask Him for healing – I praise Him as the God Who heals. I don’t just ask Him to reconcile – I praise the God Who brings peace. I don’t just ask for comfort – I praise the God Who comforts. Honestly, my faith has grown as I’ve prayed for others because the focus has shifted from the problem to the God Who Solves Problems.

In Exodus 3, Moses has his first encounter with God, and God’s directive is a problem in Moses’ mind. From a burning bush that doesn’t burn up, God commissions Moses to lead His people out from under the misery and slavery inflicted by the king of Egypt. Moses, feeling highly unqualified, wonders to God how he could ever undertake such a huge endeavor.

“But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ And God said, ‘I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I Who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.’” – Exodus 3:11-12

Moses questions his abilities, but notice how God answers him. It’s not with all of the potential He sees in Moses, but rather with Who He is and what He plans to do. Questions about Moses’ identity only end up highlighting God’s identity. In verse 13, He gives to Moses His chosen name that He wants Moses to share with the Israelites – “I AM.” He reveals Himself as a verb – a God Who acts and is able to fulfill His promises.

Do you see it? When you face a seemingly insurmountable situation, God invites you to look beyond what you see or experience and trust “I AM” – the God Who does something, Who moves mountains in response to your humble cry. He knows every detail and every aspect of the circumstance you’re in, and He knows exactly which mountain to move and where to move it for your ultimate good and His deserved glory. You can stake it all on this trustworthy, unchanging God Who provides stability and security.

At the end of verse 12, God foretells how the people will respond to what He’s about to do for them. “You will worship God on this mountain.” The very trial you bring to Him in faith will evoke your worship when “I AM” has carried you to the place where your heart is safe and secure in Him. And if your name is on one of my Post-It’s, you can be sure that’s exactly what I’m praying for you.