Disciples Prayer Life (2)

Prayer and the Names of God, January 26, 2022

How many names do you have?

Steve: husband, dad, pastor, Doctor, teacher, Chairman, Associational Moderator, friend, Supervisor...

Most of the different ways we are addressed are in terms of the roles we play, the function we fulfill. Spouse, Parent, Chair, and so on...

Genesis 1:1 HCSB

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

The subject of the first verse of the Hebrew Bible is ‘Elohim’ (God).

throughout the rest of Genesis we read of God’s creative activity, of God calling people like Abraham and others, of how God prepared a place for His people in Egypt.

After hundreds of years of captivity Moses tried to lead the Israelites out of their bondage and failed miserably (see Ex 2:11-15).

After a forty year education in shepherding God spoke to Moses in a distinct way:

Exodus 3:14 HCSB

God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.”

The name by which God revealed Himself to Moses is attached to the covenant which God initiated with His people (details spelled out in Exodus 20 - following).

By this name, YHWH (Jehovah), we come to discover more of God’s nature and character.

Jehovah-Jireh (יהוה יִרְאֶה) Gen 22:14

Jehovah-Nissi (יהוה נִסִּי, yhwh nissiy), Exodus 17:15

Jehovah-Rophi = The LORD is my/our healing. Exodus 15:26

Jehovah-M’Kaddesh = The LORD is my/our sanctification. Levitucus 20:8

Jehovah-Shalom = The LORD is my/our peace; the peace of the LORD. Judges 6:24

Jehovah-Rohi = The LORD is my/our Shepherd. Psalm 23:1

Jehovah-Tsidkenu = The LORD is my/our righteousness. Jeremiah 23:6

Jehovah-Shammah (je-ho’-vah-sham’-mah) = The LORD is there (ever present). Ezekiel 48:35

NEW TESTAMENT:

• “I am the bread of life” (6:35, 48; see also 6:41, 51);•

“I am the light of the world” (8:12; 9:5);•

“I am the door” (10:7, 9);•

“I am the good shepherd” (10:11, 14);•

I am the resurrection and the life” (11:25);•

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (14:6);•

“I am the true vine” (15:1; see also 15:5).

CONLCUSION

Mark 11:24 HCSB

Therefore I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for —believe that you have received them, and you will have them.

The reason we study and learn these names of God is simple.

When our faith is weak we don’t need more faith. As one author has noted:

When faith is lacking the antidote is not introspective self-examination but contemplation of the object of our faith: Jesus the Lord, our sufficient Saviour.

Graeme Goldsworthy, Prayer and the Knowledge of God: What the Bible Teaches (Downers Grove, ILL.: Intervarsity Press, 2003), 71.