Would you like to learn to pray in a way that helps you focus on God’s character, strengthens your faith, and fills your heart with joy? Praying the names of God is a powerful way to transform our prayer lives in each of these realms.
First, by praying God’s names, we shift our focus off of ourselves and our temporal worries and onto our eternal God. In this way, prayer becomes a form of worship.
Additionally, by praying God’s names, we are reminding ourselves of his unchanging character. When we focus on God’s character, our faith is strengthened. We come to know him by understanding who he is.
Lastly, praying the names of God edifies our faith in such a way that our hearts are filled with joy. God delights in hearing us call him by name. When we pray his names, his joy becomes our joy!
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How to Pray the Names of God
A thorough search of Scripture reveals hundreds of different names of God. Praying God’s names begins by finding a name of God in Scripture (I’ve found 20 names for us to explore today).
Next, we read the name in context to grasp a greater understanding of God’s character as exhibited by his name.
We then pray his name by thanking him for the qualities exemplified in the name. We thank him for the ways he has exhibited these aspects of his character to us in the past.
After giving thanks, we consider how the name we are praying applies to the situations in our lives.
For example, we might thank God for being our Light, ask him to shine light on the dark parts of our hearts, and ask him to help us press into his light-giving presence more often.
Names of God to Pray
Searching the Bible for a name of God that applies to a certain situation can be extremely helpful.
Another practice that can help us grow in faith is focusing on one name of God per week, month, or year, and praying this particular name of God daily. This kind of prayer helps us grow in the knowledge of our loving heavenly Father.
Let’s look at 20 names of God, and you can practice praying these names at your own pace.
Everlasting God
“Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God” (Genesis 21:33, ESV)
Our Everlasting God has always existed and will always exist. His character does not change, and we can find comfort in his consistency.
Do you need hope in a difficult situation?
Call on the Everlasting God. Thank him for the times when he was faithful to you in the past and use these memories to build your faith. Your Everlasting God will never forsake you (see Deuteronomy 31:6).
Light and Salvation
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
Are you feeling nervous or uncertain about any situations in your life?
Call on the Lord as your Light and Salvation. Thank him that his light casts out all darkness, and there is no fear in his love. He wants to deliver you and overwhelm you with his peace. Receive the peace of the Lord today.
Creator
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable” (Isaiah 40:28)
When I start to feel anxious or worried, I go to the window. I look to the sky and remind myself that the same God who created the heavens and the earth is sovereign over every situation in my life.
Thank God for being the Creator when life feels overwhelming. He will not abandon the work of his hands.
Immanuel
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14)
Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would come. God’s Son would arrive on earth, and he would be known as Immanuel, which means “God with us.”
Hundreds of years later, this prophecy came true when Jesus came to dwell on earth. Because he took on flesh, Jesus is familiar with every form of human suffering and temptation. He truly is “God with us.”
Thank Jesus for understanding you when no one else seems to understand. Immanuel has walked in your shoes, and he understands you better than you understand yourself.
Wonderful Counselor
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6)
Isaiah 9:6 offers three powerful names of God. This prophecy refers to Jesus, the coming Messiah.
Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor. He is capable of guiding us and directing our paths. He waits to impart wisdom and knowledge.
Do you need direction in your life? Do you have a problem that feels overwhelming? Ask your Wonderful Counselor to help you.
Everlasting Rock
“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock” (Isaiah 26:4)
When the floods and storms of life rattle us, we need a rock on which to stand. Christ is the Everlasting Rock. He will never erode beneath the torrent of the wind and waves, and he is steadfast.
Do you feel shaken?
Plant your feet on the Everlasting Rock. He is the firm foundation you need.
Redeemer
“Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 41:14)
A Redeemer buys back something that was taken away. We all need a Redeemer to restore us to the Father after being enslaved to sin.
Jesus is our loving Redeemer. He died on the cross to receive the punishment we deserve. Because of his death on the cross, our punishment has been paid. We are redeemed.
The Lord Is My Banner
“And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner” (Exodus 17:15)
In Moses’ day, armies went to battle carrying banners overhead. The banner declared the name of the army.
By declaring, “The Lord is My Banner,” Moses was stating that the identity of God’s people is found in the Lord. We can wave our banner with joy as we declare, with Moses, that our identity is found in the Lord. He is our Banner.
Most High
“That they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth” (Psalm 83:18)
God is supreme in power. No being has greater power than our Triune God, and because we are positioned in Christ, we can claim his authority in our lives.
Do you feel defeated? Remind yourself that God Most High fights for you. Stand firm in his victory.
The Lord is Our Righteousness
“In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness’” (Jeremiah 23:6)
Prior to Jesus’ death on the cross, God’s people had to regularly pay for their sins by shedding the blood of animals. The blood cleansed them and made them righteous (“right with God”). After Jesus’ death, all of humanity was invited into God’s family through Jesus’ blood.
We no longer have to find our righteousness through animal sacrifices. We are righteous because the Lord is Our Righteousness.
Father
“Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name’” (Matthew 6:9)
God is a good Father. Referring to God as Father can be difficult for those who have had poor examples of earthly fathers. It’s important to remember that God is the perfect Father.
Our Father in heaven is always tender with our hearts, full of love, and overflowing with goodness. His love is unconditional, and we can trust him always.
The Light of the World
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12)
Jesus spoke these words to teach his followers that his presence brings life and freedom.
When we choose to walk with Jesus, his presence casts out the darkness in our lives. His light brings healing, freedom from sin and shame, and hope.
I Am
“Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58)
God first revealed himself as “I Am” to Moses at the burning bush. Hundreds of years later, Jesus repeated these words to reveal his true identity as the Messiah.
Our Lord is the great “I Am.” He has always existed. He is the answer to all of life’s troubles, and he will always be the King of Kings.
Good Shepherd
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11)
When Jesus walked on earth, he lived among sheep-herding people. These people understood that a good shepherd relentlessly defends his flock. He is willing to die for his sheep.
In the same way, Jesus came to earth to guide and protect his chosen ones. He laid down his life for his sheep when he died on the cross. We can trust him to guide us, direct us, and protect us today, too.
The Word of God
“He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13)
John’s vision in Revelation describes Jesus wearing a robe dipped in blood. He refers to Jesus as the “Word of God.” We see this description of Jesus as the Word of God in John 1:1, as well.
We cannot claim to love Jesus without loving the Word of God (the Bible) because Jesus and the Word are One. Jesus is the physical manifestation of the Word, and the Word is life to us. If we want to know Jesus, we will be people of the Word.
Alpha and Omega
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Revelation 22:13)
Jesus existed before the creation of the earth. He was present with the Father and the Holy Spirit when the earth came to be, and he will be present at the end of time—when the new earth is created.
In this sense, Jesus is beyond time. He always has been, and he always will be.
King of Kings
“On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16)
No King has ever rivaled Jesus in power or authority. He stands high above every king and lord of this earth, and he will one day come back and redeem everything that was corrupted in the fall.
One day, every knee will bow to the King of Kings. As his followers, it is our role to share this message with the world around us. He will return at a time when no one expects him.
Jealous
“For you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Exodus 34:14)
The notion of a jealous God can be difficult to comprehend. However, if we frame this name in comparison to a healthy marriage, we can understand this aspect of God’s character.
It is healthy for a married man to feel jealous when another man tries to capture the heart of his beloved wife. In this situation, the husband’s jealousy is protective, redemptive, and even beautiful.
God loves us in the same way that a loving husband loves his wife. He wants our whole hearts, and he is jealous when we give our affections to false gods like workaholism, people pleasing, perfectionism, or the comforts of this world.
Healer
“If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer” (Exodus 15:26)
God is the great Healer. In this verse, he reminds the Israelites that their physical wellness is contingent upon their obedience. In the same way, the natural consequences of our decisions sometimes lead to illness.
Other times, illness strikes because we live in a fallen world with an enemy who prowls around looking for people to destroy.
God wants us to remember that he is our Healer. He is capable of healing any infirmity. One day, he will terminate illness and death forever, and we will all be healed for eternity.
Morning Star
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star” (Revelation 22:16)
A bright morning star shines even when the light of day begins to rise. A morning star brings hope and joy.
Jesus is our bring Morning Star. He offers hope and healing to the nations and wants to fill our hearts with his love and joy. What a wonderful name to pray when we feel discouraged and hopeless!
Are you looking for some tools and tips to boost your prayer life? If so, be sure to visit our Prayer Resources Library where you’ll find everything you need to become a powerful prayer warrior!
Praying the names of God is a powerful way to bolster your prayer life and strengthen your faith. Make a habit of praying one of these names daily for the next 20 days and notice the way these prayers help you to worship the Lord.
Additionally, you can strengthen your prayer life by adding to this list. Search God’s Word for his names, and you will take a journey deep into his loving character.
God wants to reveal himself to you. Respond to his invitation by studying and praying his names. He can use this discipline to transform your life.
