A Prayer for When You Are Losing Strength
By Rachael Adams
“When Moses' hands became heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, and so his hands were steady until the sun went down.” - Exodus 17:12
I nestled into my favorite comfortable spot for my morning quiet time. My heart, however, felt far from comfortable. I hadn’t slept well; the conversation with my husband the previous evening was replaying in my mind.
His work was becoming increasingly stressful, and I could sense he was weary—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. As we sat in bed talking into the wee hours of the night, I listened to him process and vent his frustrations. I tried my best to be supportive, but I didn’t have any real solutions to offer to him. Still searching for a solution the next morning, I bowed my head in prayer: Father, my husband needs help. I can sense he is losing his strength. Please send someone to come alongside him to give him a helping hand. Someone like an Aaron and a Hur.
As quickly as the thoughts exited my mind, I sensed God’s still, small voice inaudibly saying, “His helpmate is you (Genesis 2:18). You are his Aaron. You are Hur.” An awareness washed over me. I was literally “her.” The help I was asking God to provide was already provided through me. This story God brought to my mind comes from the life of Moses. Aaron and Hur were two people who strengthened Moses and helped him accomplish a great victory. But they are just two among many people God moved through to provide a way for Moses.
Before Moses could even care for himself, God used his mother, Jochebed, to help him. She bravely hid Moses in a basket to protect him from Pharaoh's order to kill all of the firstborn male Hebrews in Egypt (Exodus 2). Then, Moses' sister Miriam courageously followed the basket down the Nile River all the way to Pharoah’s home and recommended her own mother as a wet nurse for Moses. Pharaoh's daughter herself rescued Moses from the waters of the Nile and raised him as her son.
After Moses grew up, he fled to the desert. It was there God appeared in a burning bush and called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When Moses questioned his adequacy to complete the seemingly impossible task before him, God said, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12). Moses’ feelings of inadequacy were so strong that he could not trust God’s ability to help him. So, he pleaded with the Lord to send someone else. Though this made God angry, He answered his request by sending a man to help him. “Aaron is already on his way,” the Lord reassured Moses” (Exodus 4:14). God knew what Moses needed before he even voiced his need.
Aaron stayed by his side to support Moses, providing strength in areas Moses felt weak—mainly in approaching and speaking with Pharaoh. After the Israelites were freed, Aaron continued to help Moses lead the people through every high and low they experienced in the wilderness—including multiple battles. One such battle was with the Amalekites. Scripture tells us that Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of the hill above the conflict. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites began to win. When Moses’ hands grew tired, his friends took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady until sunset, and Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword (Exodus 17:10-13). Together, they teamed up for victory.
Don't you love their comradery and their determination to support and strengthen Moses when he felt weak? Figuratively speaking, we need to lift up the hands of others in our lives as well. Shouldering some responsibility, lending a word of encouragement, or offering a prayer are ways of refreshing others in their work. God has given us people to cheer, champion, assist, encourage, and pray for too. Our family, friends, co-workers, and church congregations are built-in support systems that God has already provided us.
Maybe it's you today, losing your strength. Perhaps you are praying for God to rescue you. May I encourage you to look around at the people He’s already given you? Have faith to believe His help is already on its way. And, of course, consider: Is there someone in your life who you sense needs help?
The Lord’s response to my prayer for my husband caused me to realize that sometimes when we are asking God to move, in actuality, He’s waiting for us to move. God equipped you with time, talents, and treasures. Could you be the answer to a friend or family member’s prayer?
Friend, you are someone's Aaron or Hur. You’re her. Grab a weak hand nearby and keep lifting it up until you reach victory together.
Let’s pray:
Father, life can be so difficult, but I know You are always with me. You will never leave me or forsake me. I take great comfort in that promise. Give me Your eyes to see situations and circumstances the way You do. May I be present to lift up others and give them strength when they feel discouraged and weak. Empower me with Your Spirit to be a supportive helping hand. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/ Blasius Erlinger
Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith
Kerry Washington. Andrea Bocelli. Reba McEntire. Mark Wahlberg. Tony Dungy. Matthew McConaughey, What do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their story of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.
Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
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Originally published Tuesday, 27 February 2024.
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