There’s a strange moment in Scripture—one we don’t talk about often. Moses is leading the Israelites out of Egypt. They’ve made it to the edge of the Red Sea, with Pharaoh’s army thundering behind them. The people panic. Moses does what any faithful leader should do in a crisis—he prays.
And God… interrupts him.
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why do you cry to Me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward.’”
— Exodus 14:15
Wait—what?
Did God just tell Moses to stop praying?
Yes. Because the time for praying had passed. It was time to move.
This verse jolts us. We often say, “Pray about it.” And we should. Prayer is foundational to the Christian life. But sometimes, we keep talking to God because we’re too scared to obey what He already said.
Sometimes, the most spiritual thing you can do next is stop praying and start moving.
When Prayer Becomes a Substitute for Obedience
Prayer is never wrong. But there are moments when continued prayer is really just a delay tactic. We talk to God as if we’re waiting for more direction, when deep down—we already know what He wants us to do.
We say:
- “I’m just waiting on God.”
- “I need to keep praying about it.”
- “I haven’t felt peace yet.”
But often, it’s not a lack of clarity that holds us back. It’s fear.
The Israelites had just seen God move mightily in Egypt—plagues, signs, wonders, and miracles. They had already been told that God would lead them out and deliver them. Yet at the first obstacle, they stopped moving and started complaining.
Moses, ever the intercessor, turns to God—and God essentially says, “I already gave you the word. Move.”
The Danger of Delayed Obedience
Let’s be honest: delayed obedience is still disobedience.
We love the idea of spiritual waiting—because it allows us to avoid spiritual risk. But some of us are waiting on God to speak again, when He’s waiting on us to obey the last thing He already said.
There are moments in life when your Red Sea is before you. You feel trapped. You’re scared. You pray. But then God says: “Why are you still talking to Me about this? I gave you direction. Go forward.”
Inaction can sometimes feel like wisdom, but often it’s just fear dressed up in spiritual language.
- You already know you need to forgive.
- You already know you need to take that step of faith.
- You already know the call God placed on your life.
- You already know you need to leave that situation.
- You already know that conversation needs to happen.
Still praying?
God might be saying: “Stop talking. Get going.”
Don’t Misunderstand—Prayer Isn’t the Problem
Let’s clarify: this isn’t about rushing ahead of God. Prayer is essential. Jesus Himself often withdrew to pray. We are told to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). But biblical prayer leads to action. Always.
- Nehemiah prayed—and then built.
- Esther fasted—and then went before the king.
- Paul worshiped—and then planted churches.
- Jesus prayed—and then laid down His life.
Real prayer doesn’t end in more prayer. It ends in movement, in obedience, in submission to the will of God—no matter the cost.
The Power of Faith in Motion
Faith is not just a belief—it’s a response. Hebrews 11, the great “Hall of Faith,” tells story after story of people who acted:
- “By faith, Noah built…”
- “By faith, Abraham went…”
- “By faith, Moses left Egypt…”
Faith isn’t passive. It steps out while the waters are still raging.
That’s what God was calling the Israelites to do. The sea hadn’t split yet. The miracle hadn’t arrived. But He told them to move before the breakthrough.
If they had waited for the waters to part, they never would have seen the miracle.
You Might Be One Step Away from the Miracle
There’s something about motion that invites divine intervention.
God often waits until we’re in motion to act. He could have split the sea first—but He didn’t. He told the people to go forward. Only then did the wind begin to blow and the waters peel back.
Sometimes, God doesn’t move until we do.
Maybe the breakthrough isn’t on the other side of more prayer—but on the other side of your next step.
That phone call. That confession. That application. That obedience.
When you move, even afraid, you demonstrate that your faith is in God—not in your own certainty.
Faith Looks Foolish at First
Can you imagine being an Israelite that day? God said, “Go forward.” But… into what? There was only water ahead.
Faith often looks foolish before it makes sense.
- Marching around Jericho instead of attacking it? Foolish—until the walls fell.
- Putting five loaves and two fish in the hands of Jesus? Insufficient—until it fed 5,000.
- Stepping into the Jordan River? Risky—until it stopped flowing.
Following God doesn’t mean waiting until all the facts are in. It means moving in obedience, even if you look ridiculous.
Sometimes, the water doesn’t part until your foot touches it.
Are You Hiding in Holy Activity?
It’s easy to use spiritual practices like prayer or Bible study as a way to avoid what we’re afraid to do.
We can hide behind:
- “I’m still discerning.”
- “I’m in a season of waiting.”
- “I’m just trying to be wise.”
But wisdom is not hesitation. Wisdom is Spirit-led action.
Yes, there’s a time to pray. A time to wait. But there’s also a time to go. And when God says “go,” the holiest thing you can do is move.
What’s Your Red Sea?
Right now, you may be facing an impossible situation. It feels like there’s no way forward. You’ve prayed. You’ve pleaded. And now, God may be gently saying: “Stop talking. Get going.”
So ask yourself:
- What has God already told me to do that I haven’t done yet?
- Am I hiding behind prayer because I’m afraid to obey?
- What would forward motion look like for me right now?
Don’t let fear stop you from moving in faith. You may not see the full path ahead—but you don’t need to. You just need to obey the next step.
Trust the God Who Parts Seas
The same God who told Moses to move is the One who split the waters, swallowed the Egyptians, and led His people to freedom.
He hasn’t changed.
He’s still the God who makes a way where there is no way.
But sometimes, that way only opens when you move toward it.
Final Word
If you’re stuck, tired, overwhelmed, or afraid—God sees you. And if you’ve been crying out to Him, keep your heart open for His response. It might not be more direction. It might be: “Why are you still crying out to Me? Go forward.”
So take the step. Even if your hands are trembling. Even if the waters haven’t parted yet.
Because sometimes, God’s greatest miracles begin when we finally stop talking—and start going.
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