Praying the Names of God

By Heather Hanton

Praying the Names of God

I am reflecting today on the many different names of God.

Adonai
Jehovah Jireh
Jehovah-Nissi (Jehovah Nissi)
El Elyon
Jehovah-Rapha (Jehovah Rapha)
Elohim
Jehovah-Rohi (Jehovah Rohi)
El Roi
Jehovah-Shalom (Jehovah Shalom)
El Shaddai
Jehovah-Shammah (Jehovah-Shammah)
Immanuel
YHWH

That is not an exhaustive list. Each name has a different meaning and is used in various ways throughout the Bible.

Do you ever call on the name of God for a specific reason? When you’ve needed His deliverance, forgiveness, protection, provision, healing, for Him to see you.

I pray on my way to work in the car each day. Some days I am crying out to Jehovah-Jireh – provider. Other days I am seeking El Roi – the God who sees. Still other days I have no words and I just need Him as my Abba – Father – to just hold me in His arms.

Today I am reminded of God’s power and majesty.

Psalm 104 sings of God’s power and might:

Let all that I am praise the Lord.

Lord my God, how great you are!
You are robed with honor and majesty.
You are dressed in a robe of light.
You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens;
You lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds.
You make the clouds your chariot;
You ride upon the wings of the wind.
The winds are your messengers;

flames of fire are your servants.
(verses 1-4)

God’s great power and majesty humbles me to kneel before Him in awe and wonder. I need His mighty strength to be my strength right now. The power that holds the universe in place can certainly hold up my feeble legs.

Psalm 104 goes on to say:

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live.
I will praise my God to my last breath!
May all my thoughts be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the Lord.
(verses 33-34)

Oh how I rejoice and  trust in the God who placed the world on its foundation so it would never be moved.” (Psalm 104:5) He is my Rock and my foundation; my source of life and strength.

How great is our God,
Sing with me how great is our God!
And all will see how great, how great is our God!
(Chris Tomlin)

Heather Hanton
Media and Ministries Specialist
The Salvation Army Central Territory
Women’s Ministries Department