Friday, February 26, 2016

5 Names of God I Now Know And Love

I've have been able to participate and lead several 'Prayer Mosaics' at this point in life. I say this because I have been unbelievably blessed each time by them. A prayer mosaic is simply several different interactive prayer stations that you can partake in. It is such a beautiful night that I long to do them at least once per semester with the student group that meets at our house. One of the stations is finding the names of God in scripture, praying those back to Him, and writing them on the butcher paper at the station.

Being the nerd that I am, I challenged myself to journal them and try to find one for each letter of the alphabet (pictured).

There is something truly amazing about praying His names back to Him. There are no words to fumble over because they aren't yours. They are His names and they represent His character in different facets. The names of God are wonderful, beautiful, and exhilarating!

These Hebrew names of God below are new to me and I am ever so grateful for continuing to learn new things about God. The names are not new in the sense that I didn't know this was a characteristic of the Almighty God, rather they are new to me in the Hebrew. These are the ones that speak to me in different seasons of life, very applicable for where I am at.

When I am distracted by the things of this life, I remember that God is Qanna.
Qanna--Jealous. He is a jealous God, wanting everything that we are. All of me, not just the part I'm 'okay' with surrendering. Exodus 34:14, "Do not worship any other God, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."

When I am dismayed or discouraged, I am reminded that God is El Simchath Gili.
El Simchath Gili--God, My Exceeding Joy. Permanent, never-failing joy in my heart can only be sourced from God. Psalm 43:4, "Then I will go to the altar of God, to a god, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God."

When I feel alone or hurting, God is El Rai.
El Rai--He Sees Me. God sees me and knows my heart, desires, pain and sin. The Creator of the Universe SEES me. That is where my value and worth lie. Genesis 16:13, "She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: 'You are the God who sees me,' for she said, 'I have now seen the One who sees me."

When I fail myself or let shame run rampant in my soul, I remember the truth that God is Jehovah Nissi.
Jehovah Nissi--The LORD My Banner. He waves this triumphant banner of truth over my head. I am His and I will cling to the beautiful banner of truth and righteousness when my mind and heart become distracted by my shortcomings, for He is victorious. 1 Corinthians 15:57, "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ."

When I am feeling consumed by the by the busyness of life or the demands that I put on myself, I remember that God is Esh Oklah.
Esh Oklah--A Consuming Fire. He is a consuming fire, a jealous God, that protects his creation. He chose to take the cross for us and in doing so, consumed our imperfections so that we could have eternal life. May my love for God burn brightly. Deuteronomy 4:24, "For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." 

And as a bonus...as we are praying through the ministry of adoption and what our hearts, hands/feet, and home could be open to, we are reminded that God is 'Ab.
'Ab--Father. The perfect Father. An advocate. A voice. A listener. Psalm 68:5, "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling."

Whatever the season, I know that the Names of God are always a beautiful way to pray to Him in thankfulness. He knows me and sees me and enjoys the act of worship through prayer. When words fail me, His names and character do not.

In this season of life, what Names of God resonate with you? Link up with Mrs. Disciple and share!
 

4 comments:

  1. El Roi is one of my favorites too! I love the thought of a prayer mosaic for my college girls too.

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    1. Hi Beth!

      Thanks so much for taking the time to read. Yes--El Roi is new to me and I cannot get enough! If you are interested in doing a prayer mosaic for your college girls, I'm happy to send you everything I've got (station directions and supplies)!

      Thanks so much,
      LaRae

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  2. I love the idea of praying the names of God. When someone you love develops a pet name for you, it can make your stomach turn flips to call you by that sweet name. How our Father must love to hear us call out His name--the name that ministers to us at that moment. He is ALL we need and all of His names communicated that. Thank you for linking up!

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