Day 29
The Names of God
As we think about seeking God for the purpose of finding Him and knowing Him, we discover the wealth of information about who God is in His Word. Again, God has made himself known. The Word of God is full of great insight into the character and nature of God. I have found through the years one of the greatest ways to get to know God is to discover His many names. In today’s world names, for the most part, are generic and have no meaning behind them. We choose names for our children mostly because we like the way they sound.
However, in biblical days names had meaning; they had value; and they represented the character of the individual. For instance, Jacob’s name meant deceiver. We see through Jacob’s life that many times he fulfilled the nature of his name. After Jacob’s encounter with the Angel of the Lord in Geneses 32, God changed the name of Jacob to Israel, a more fitting name for a patriarch of God’s nation. He no longer was Jacob the deceiver; he was Israel, the one who strives with God. In like manner Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter in Mathew 16 to represent the faith Peter had in who Jesus was.
In the Old Testament we find those who called on the name of the Lord. (Genesis 12:8). Today, we call on the name of Jesus, I Corinthians 1:2. To call on one’s name is to call upon the very nature and character of all they represent and stand for. The Word of God has many names for God representing the nature and character of His person. As we discover His names, we discover who He is and know Him more. As we seek Him, we can know of who we call upon. Psalm 9:10 says, “those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You O Lord have not forsaken those who seek You.” Everything that we do as Christians is done in the honor of the name of Jesus.
- The name that is exulted above every other name - Philippians 2:9.
- Salvation is through His name - John 1:12,
- Believers gather in His name - Matthew 18:20
- Prayer is to be lifted in His name - John 14:13-14
- Healing comes in His name - Acts 10:22
- We are to magnify His name through our works - Acts 19:17.
“At the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10, 11).
In the last chapter, I spoke of the weekly intercessory prayer time my church has. As we begin each time of prayer, we start with praise. Psalm 22:3 says that God “inhabits the praises of His people.” In other words, when God is praised with a pure heart, He shows up. There is great power in praising God, and what better way to praise Him than to call out His name.
There is a wealth of knowledge that comes from the names of God that volumes of books and studies have focused upon. When we discover His name, we discover who He is, and we are better prepared to give Him the praise He deserves.
Some of the names of God:
- El Elyon, the most high God,
- El Olam, the everlasting God,
- El Shaddai, God Almighty,
- Jehovah Jireh, The Lord will provide.
- Jehovah Nissi, The Lord is my Banner
- Jehovah Shalom, The Lord is Peace
- Adonai, Lord, Master
- Abba, an intimate, close, name for father. Like daddy
- And so much more…
Day 29 Prayer Guide
- Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
- Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
- Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
- Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
- Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
- Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
- Pray that God would reveal prideful attitudes of self-sufficiency and bring about repentance.
- Pray that our foremost desire would be to know God more.
- Pray that all Christians would hunger and thirst for God.
- Pray that the world will see the churches utmost desire for God and be drawn to Him.
- Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
- Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
- Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
- Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
- Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
- Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
- Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
- Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
- Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
- Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
- Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation.
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