3 Profound Ways Praying the Names of God Has Changed My Life

THREE WAYS PRAYING THE NAMES OF GOD HAS CHANGED MY LIFE

1. It Reminds Me To Whom I Am Praying

Why do Christians believe their prayers are effective in comparison to the prayers of other religions? It’s not because we have more beautiful prayers or better traditions. It’s because of Who we pray to. The power of our prayers has nothing to do with who we are; it has everything to do with who God is.

When I meditate on God as Creator, I am reminded He is the Author of all life and gives it order. When I acknowledge God’s sovereignty, I am trusting He can do whatever He knows is best. And when I pray to a God who is omniscient, I have faith that He knows what’s best because He knows everything.

Praying God’s attributes gives my prayer power because I remember the God to whom I am praying. It gives me the faith to surrender my anxieties at the feet of the One who is truly in control and wants what is best for me.

2. It Reminds Me Who I Am

As I pray the attributes of God, I am reminded of all the ways I am limited. God created humanity with limits: We can only know so much, go so far, and do so many things. When I focus my prayers on God’s attributes, I fight the temptation of self-sufficiency. When praying God’s omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience—all things I am not—I surrender the burden I place on myself to do, know, and be everything.

It’s the same lie the serpent used to tempt Eve in the garden—to be like God. By meditating on verses that speak to God’s complete grace, mercy, and love, it doesn’t take long for me to realize that I cannot be God, and that is a good thing.

Beginning my prayers focusing on God’s character instead of my own abilities helps me to truly give my anxieties to God, trusting He can do what I can’t.

3. It Puts My Prayers In Context

So much in our culture is human-centered. My social media feed is tailored to my digital footprint. Amazon sends me ads based on what I’ve bought before. Spotify alerts me when my favorite artist releases a new album. Their goal is to meet my needs in my time.

Starting my prayer time focused on God instead of myself puts my prayers into the greater context of redemptive history. It’s easy for me to get so focused on my own day-to-day troubles that I forget to pray for God’s will to be done on earth.

For example, when I meditate on God’s justice I begin to see the injustices in the world which don’t affect me, and I pray God would bring justice for those people. When I meditate on His eternality, I remember the foundation of my prayers is a hope for a future promise, not just present answers. While God wants me to turn to Him for my daily needs, He also wants me to lift my eyes further in the distance and pray for the consummation of redemptive history—“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

Jesus begins His model prayer by centering it on the character of God the Father, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9). You could recite the most beautiful of prayers, but if you were praying to a nonexistent god, they would be meaningless. Conversely, when we focus our prayers on the God who creates and sustains, the God of steadfast love and unending mercy, the faithful God who fulfills His promises—our prayers have power. Not because of who we are but because of who He is.

PRACTICAL EXAMPLES OF HOW TO PRAY THE NAMES OF GOD

While Scripture provides an abundant supply of God’s attributes and names, here are a few examples with accompanying Bible verses of how you can incorporate them into your prayer life.

1. I praise You for being omnipotent, all powerful. There is so much outside of my control, but with You, anything is possible (Matthew 19:26).
2. Thank You for being sovereign and completely in control of all creation. I can rest because You are holding me, my family, and everything together (Colossians 1:17).
3. How just are You, God! While the world is filled with injustice, You have promised You will execute perfect justice that is righteous and true (Deuteronomy 32:4).
4. I praise You for being wise. You are the Source of all wisdom; Your ways are higher than our ways. Thank You for freely giving me Your wisdom (James 1:5).
5. Thank You for being omniscient, all-knowing. There is nothing hidden from You. I can trust Your perfect knowledge in my life (Hebrews 4:13).
6. How righteous are You, God! You are completely blameless and upright. Everything You do in the world and in my life is good and right (Psalm 119:137).
7. I praise You for being Love itself. You showed Your everlasting and steadfast affection for me by sending Your Son to die in my place (1 John 4:16).
8. Thank You for being true. While the enemy sows lies, You are the Source of all truth. I can rely on You to guide me in the way of truth (John 14:8).
9. How merciful and gracious are You, O God! You do not give me the punishment I deserve; instead You lavish me with steadfast love I do not deserve (Psalm 103:8).
10. Thank You for being holy, set apart from Your creation. You are completely unlike me in my sin and limits; therefore, I can trust Your holy Word and will (1 Samuel 2:2).
11. I praise You for being faithful. You hold onto me even when I cannot hold onto You. You always fulfill Your promises to Your people (Hebrews 10:23).
12. How glorious You are, O God! I cannot comprehend Your beauty. You deserve all my praise and honor; help me to live today for Your glory alone (Psalm 104:1).

How does your understanding of God’s character impact how you pray to Him? What other characteristics can you praise Him for today?