Don Potter
A profoundly biblical prayer of intimacy that invites congregations into Moses-like hunger for God's presence. The song's simplicity, scriptural rootedness, and contemplative posture make it a valuable asset for prayer-focused worship or response moments. The slow tempo and meditative structure require intentional placement and clear contextual framing to avoid aimlessness.
Five lenses
This song functions as a sung prayer drawn directly from Exodus 33:18, where Moses asks God, 'Show me your glory.' The lyric captures the posture of longing for divine presence that saturates the Psalms and prophetic literature. The request to see God's face reflects both Old Testament theophanies and New Testament revelation in Christ, though the song trusts the listener to hold the tension between seeking God's face and the warnings about seeing God and living. The theological instinct is sound: we hunger for intimacy with the Invisible One.
The theological arc moves from longing to encounter, from petition to anticipated revelation. The song is crystal clear about what it seeks: the manifest presence of God. What it leaves unstated is the basis for this access. In the Old Testament, seeing God's face meant death; in Christ, we have boldness to enter the Most Holy Place. The song trusts the worshiper to bring this New Covenant framework. In a liturgically informed setting, this works beautifully. In a seeker-heavy context, the song may feel abstract without teaching.
The melody is simple, the range is moderate, and the lyric is easy to memorize. From a pure singability standpoint, this song is accessible to nearly any congregation. The challenge is not vocal but liturgical: at 65 BPM, the song moves slowly, requiring the congregation to sustain contemplative focus. In a prayer-saturated service or after extended teaching, this works powerfully. In a high-energy flow or early in the service before hearts are settled, the song may feel sluggish. Recommended key of D keeps the melody comfortable for mixed voices.
This is not a song that dazzles with metaphor or wordcraft. It is a prayer, plain and unadorned, and its power lies in its refusal to embellish the biblical text. The repetition is not cliche - it is meditative persistence, the kind of asking that Jesus commends in Luke 11. The imagery is borrowed directly from Exodus, and the song wisely resists adding decorative language that might dilute the focus. The voice is corporate-individual: a congregation praying in unison as Moses prayed alone.
Objections will come from two directions: those concerned about Old Testament face-seeking without New Covenant framing, and those who find the slow, repetitive structure insufficiently engaging. Both concerns are answerable with clear teaching and intentional placement.
Full analysis
This song is a prayer of hunger, not a declaration of doctrine. It borrows the language of Exodus 33:18, where Moses, after forty days on the mountain and countless encounters with God, still asks for more. The request to see God's face and glory reflects the deepest longing of the biblical saints: not just to know about God, but to know God, to see God, to experience the weight and beauty of divine presence. The song assumes that the singer shares this hunger, and it invites the congregation to voice it together.
The theological framework of the song is implicitly New Covenant. In the Old Testament, seeing God's face was fatal (Exodus 33:20). In Christ, the barrier is removed. We have boldness to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19). The song does not state this shift - it prays within it. For congregations grounded in biblical theology, this is sufficient. For congregations less familiar with the Exodus narrative or the theology of mediation, a brief teaching moment before singing is essential.
Musically, the song is simple and meditative, designed for contemplative worship rather than congregational anthem. The 65 BPM tempo creates space for reflection, but it also requires the congregation to sustain focus. This is not a song to open a service or energize a room. It is a song for response, for communion, for prayer. Worship leaders should limit the song to 3-4 minutes and ensure strong instrumental support to guide the congregation through the repetition.
The song's strength is its refusal to overstate. It does not explain the doctrine of God's presence, does not decorate the biblical text with poetic flourishes, does not resolve the tension between longing and fulfillment. It simply prays, trusting that the congregation knows the God to whom the prayer is addressed. For mature congregations, this is a profound asset. For newer believers or visitors, the song may feel abstract without framing. Use it wisely, teach it well, and let it do what it does best: create space for the congregation to voice their hunger for God.
Defense brief
Who raises this: Biblically attentive congregants familiar with the Exodus narrative
The song is praying the prayer of Moses, trusting the New Covenant resolution found in Christ. Jesus himself says, 'Whoever has seen me has seen the Father' (John 14:9). We see God's face in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). The song assumes this framework rather than stating it, which is appropriate for a contemplative prayer song.
Before singing, briefly teach Exodus 33:18-23 and connect it to John 14:9 and Hebrews 10:19-22. Frame the song as a New Covenant prayer made possible by Christ's mediation.
Who raises this: Worship leaders concerned about pacing and energy flow
Not all worship is high-energy. Psalm 46:10 commands, 'Be still and know that I am God.' The slow tempo is not a flaw but a feature, creating space for contemplative prayer.
Use this song as a response to teaching, during communion, or as a closing prayer. Limit duration to 3-4 minutes. Do not use it as a congregational energizer.
Scripture map
Primary foundations
Supporting connections
Story behind the song
Don Potter wrote this song during the late 1980s Vineyard movement, a season marked by hunger for God's manifest presence and renewal. The song reflects the theological emphasis of that era: intimacy with God, simplicity in worship, and prayer-centered congregational singing.
Vineyard worship historical context
The song became a staple in contemplative worship settings, particularly in prayer rooms and extended worship gatherings. Its slow tempo and repetitive structure made it a natural fit for spontaneous prayer and intercession.
Worship leader oral tradition
Potter, a longtime worship leader and musician, emphasized the importance of creating space in worship for the congregation to encounter God rather than simply sing about God. This song embodies that philosophy.
Artist interviews and Vineyard worship philosophy
Themes
Sermon series fit
Audience fit
Maturity
Best suited for mature believers familiar with contemplative worship; newer believers benefit from teaching beforehand
Age group
All ages, though younger children may lose focus due to slow tempo
Service type
Prayer services, communion, contemplative worship, response to teaching
Visitor-friendly
Moderate - visitors unfamiliar with contemplative worship may find the song abstract without context
Special contexts
Excellent for prayer retreats, healing services, or extended worship gatherings
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