52 Prayers from the Bible

When God Says No

Read the context passage: Deuteronomy 3:23-29

²³ "At that time I begged the LORD: ²⁴ Lord GOD , You have begun to show Your greatness and power to Your servant, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can perform deeds and mighty acts like Yours? ²⁵ Please let me cross over and see the beautiful land on the other side of the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon. ²⁶ "But the LORD was angry with me on account of you and would not listen to me. The LORD said to me, 'That's enough! Do not speak to Me again about this matter. ²⁷ Go to the top of Pisgah and look to the west, north, south, and east, and see [it] with your own eyes, for you will not cross this Jordan. (Deuteronomy 3:23-27)

1. What was Moses' request?
2. Why was it denied?
3. Why do you suppose Moses asked repeatedly?
4. Why do you suppose God responded as he did?
5. Have you ever pleaded with God for something and had him say no?
6. How can this story inform our prayers today?

Scripture courtesy of BibleGateway.com. All Scripture text is from the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved. "52 Prayers from the Bible" is Copyright © 2009 by Kevin Binkley and Emmanuel Baptist Church of Rochester, Minnesota.