The Privilege of Prayer: What Moses Longed For, We Now Live

“Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.”— Exodus 33:11

Can you imagine God speaking with you face to face?

In Exodus 33, we catch a breathtaking glimpse of Moses’ relationship with the Lord. God met with him in the tent of meeting—personally, intimately, directly. So great was this moment that whenever Moses entered the tent, the people of Israel would stand in awe, watching from their own tents, amazed that one man could commune with the Almighty.

Only Moses.

But here’s the wonder: what was once reserved for a select few is now freely available to every child of God.

Access That Once Was Limited

Throughout the Old Testament, access to God's presence was limited and guarded:

• Only Moses could enter the tent of meeting in this way.

• Only priests could enter the Holy Place.

• Only the high priest, once a year, could enter the Most Holy Place—and only with blood (Hebrews 9:7).

God’s holiness was not to be taken lightly. The tabernacle, and later the temple, were constructed with layers of separation—reminders that sinful man could not approach a holy God on his own terms.

Access Now Freely Given

But something incredible happened when Christ died:

“The curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51).

That was no minor detail. It was a declaration: The way is now open. Through Jesus, we now have direct access to the Father—not in fear, but in faith.

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession… Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace…”— Hebrews 4:14,16

What Moses Experienced in a Tent, We Now Experience Anywhere

God spoke to Moses “as a man speaks to his friend.” That was extraordinary.

But Jesus takes it a step further. In John 15:15, He tells His disciples:

“I no longer call you servants… I have called you friends.”

Let that settle in. We are friends of God, with constant access to His presence through prayer. Not just once a year. Not just through a high priest. Not just in a sacred tent. Anywhere. Anytime. Always.

This should amaze us. We cannot let this amazing opportunity to become stale and commonplace.

When you pray in the car, or in your kitchen, or beside your child’s crib, or in the midst of anxiety—you’re entering the presence of the same God who spoke to Moses on the mountain. The same God who descended in a cloud. The same God who caused Israel to tremble.

Don’t Take It for Granted

We rush into prayer so casually sometimes. Or worse, we neglect it altogether. But prayer is not a backup plan. It’s not a religious formality. It's not done to check it off the list. It’s a gift of grace that would have left saints of old in stunned reverence.

Moses would stand outside the camp, waiting for a meeting. We carry the Spirit within us. The tent has become a temple. And we are that temple (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Fellow Pilgrims, Let’s Pray Like It Matters

God has not changed. He is still holy, still awesome, still worthy of fear and reverence. But through Christ, He is also near—Abba, Father. Friend.

Let us never lose sight of the wonder of this.

You can talk to God—right now. In joy. In sorrow. In confusion. In thanksgiving. And He listens. He delights to hear you.

Until the Journey is Complete,

Jonathan Pilgrim