Righteous Judge,
Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses,
jealous of the place You had given him,
blind to the weight he bore,
forgetful that his calling was Yours to assign.
Their words were small,
but their pride was great,
and You heard.
Lord, guard my tongue.
Keep me from tearing down the ones You have lifted up.
Deliver me from envy
that disguises itself as concern,
from criticism
that cloaks itself as wisdom.
Teach me to honor those You call,
to pray for them,
to hold up their arms
rather than whisper against their name.
You summoned Miriam and Aaron
to the tent of meeting,
and there You descended in the pillar of cloud.
You declared that Moses was faithful in all Your house,
that You spoke with him face to face,
not in riddles or dreams.
What mercy, what intimacy!
Yet also what weight,
what cost,
to stand so near the Holy One.
Father, let me not despise
the ways You speak to others.
Whether in visions,
in wisdom,
in quiet obedience,
or in open leadership
all are gifts of Your Spirit.
Humble my heart
to celebrate Your voice
wherever You choose to speak.
But Miriam was struck with leprosy,
her skin white with shame,
her pride exposed.
Still Moses prayed for her,
crying out for mercy on the very one
who had opposed him.
What a picture of Christ,
who intercedes even for His enemies,
who prayed, “Father, forgive them,”
while nails pierced His hands.
Lord, make me merciful.
When others wound me,
teach me to pray for their healing.
When pride strikes them down,
let my lips cry out for their restoration.
Make me quick to intercede,
slow to condemn,
eager to see grace triumph over judgment.
You restored Miriam after seven days,
but the camp did not move on without her.
The whole people waited,
bearing the cost of her sin,
until she was brought back in.
Lord, let me never forget
that sin wounds the whole body.
Keep me from thinking my rebellion is private.
And let restoration,
not rejection,
be the goal of discipline.
So here I stand before You:
a person prone to envy,
quick with words,
yet longing for humility.
Purify my heart,
sanctify my speech,
and shape me into the likeness of Christ
who is greater than Moses,
yet meek and lowly in heart,
faithful in all Your house,
the Mediator of a better covenant.
In His holy name I pray,
Amen.