Calling upon God

Calling upon God as an act of worship

By those who depend upon him and proclaim his name

Genesis 4:26 CSB

A son was born to Seth also, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord.

See also Ge 12:8; Ge 26:25; 1 Ch 16:8; Ps 86:5; Ps 116:2; Ps 116:17; Job 27:10; 2 Ti 2:22

Those who do not acknowledge God or call upon his name

Ps 14:4; Ps 79:6; Is 65:1; Je 10:25; Zep 3:9

Calling upon God in time of need

Ps 50:15; La 3:55

See also 1 Sa 12:17–18; 2 Sa 22:4; 1 Ki 18:24; 2 Ki 5:11; Job 19:7; Ps 4:1; Ps 17:6–9; Ps 18:6; Ps 27:7–12; Ps 28:1–2; Ps 55:16; Ps 86:3; Ps 86:7; Ps 91:15; Ps 120:1; Pr 1:28; Is 58:9; Is 65:24; Je 11:14; Je 33:3; Joe 1:19; Hab 1:2; Zec 13:9

Calling upon God for his salvation

Acts 2:21 CSB

Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

See also Joe 2:32; Ro 10:12–14

Calling upon God was part of the priestly function of intercession

Psalm 99:6 CSB

Moses and Aaron were among his priests; Samuel also was among those calling on his name. They called to the Lord and he answered them.

See also Ex 17:11; Ex 32:31–32; Nu 21:7; 1 Sa 12:19; 1 Sa 12:23; Je 15:1

Examples of those who called upon God

Abraham

Genesis 13:4 CSB

to the site where he had built the altar. And Abram called on the name of the Lord there.

Moses

Ex 17:10–13; Ex 17:15; Ex 32:11–13; Ex 32:30; Nu 14:13–19; Dt 9:26–29

Samuel

1 Samuel 7:5–9 CSB

Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord on your behalf.” When they gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out in the Lord’s presence. They fasted that day, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah. When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, their rulers marched up toward Israel. When the Israelites heard about it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. The Israelites said to Samuel, “Don’t stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, so that he will save us from the Philistines.” Then Samuel took a young lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord on behalf of Israel, and the Lord answered him.

Elijah

1 Kings 18:36–37 CSB

At the time for offering the evening sacrifice, the prophet Elijah approached the altar and said, “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today let it be known that you are God in Israel and I am your servant, and that at your word I have done all these things. Answer me, Lord! Answer me so that this people will know that you, the Lord, are God and that you have turned their hearts back.”

Jonah

Jon 2:2; Jon 2:7

Stephen

Acts 7:59–60 CSB

While they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” He knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And after saying this, he fell asleep.