Most High God,
You take the ordinary in my hands
and make it a sign that cannot be ignored.
A shepherd’s staff becomes a serpent,
and the court of Pharaoh witnesses
that You alone hold true power.
You send Moses and Aaron into the throne room,
not with armies,
but with obedience.
You harden hearts when needed,
soften them when ready,
all according to the purposes You have set.
When false powers try to mimic Your works,
You show the difference between tricks and truth.
You let the serpent of Your servants
swallow the serpents of the magicians,
so that there is no doubt who reigns.
Then You stretch out Your hand
and turn the life blood of Egypt into death
the river to blood,
the streams to stench,
the fish to floating loss.
You expose the gods of the land
for the powerless idols they are.
Lord, confront my own hidden allegiances.
Where I trust in resources,
strip them bare.
Where I cling to what cannot save,
turn it bitter until I thirst for You alone.
Make my obedience steady
as the contest unfolds
plague after plague,
refusal after refusal.
Keep me speaking what You say
without adding or subtracting.
Teach me to fear You alone
not rulers,
not sorcery,
not threats
because You alone
turn creation into Your servant.
In the name of Jesus,
the greater Moses,
whose word still topples false gods
and brings living water from Himself,
Amen.