To Know Him By Name

If I want to know someone, I spend time with them and talk with them.  I want to know that person by name and speak their name in my conversation.

In the same way, if I want to know God and have a deeper relationship with Him, I need to spend time with God and talk with Him through prayer. I want to call Him by name when I pray. How do I pray? The Lord Jesus spoke a model prayer in Matthew 6 called The Lord’s Prayer. The prayer begins with praise: “Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be Thy name” (Matthew 6:9).

The words  “Our Father”  indicate a personal relationship with the God of Heaven. Oh, how I need and want that. “Hallowed be thy Name.” What is His Name? Throughout the Bible, God is commonly referred to as Father and Lord. Other less common names are Elohim which is the creator God, and El Roi, the God who sees;  El Shaddai, the all Sufficient One; Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide; and Jehoah-tsidkenu, the Lord our righteousness. All of His names have significant meaning and reflect who He is.

As I praise His many names in prayer I know Him better because I see more and more just how big He is.  

To reflect on His name reminds me of how completely dependent I am on Him and how I need Him so desperately every moment for my many needs. I can praise Him for His names and know that whatever issue I want to talk with Him about, He is sufficient  to help me. His name is above all names. How I want to know Him by name! So, I challenge myself to pray through His names as I enter into prayer and praise His holy name.

I praise you Lord that you are El Elyon—the Most High—so worthy of all my praise!

Joyce Zwirkoski is a guest writer for The Art of Taleh. She is the mother of four adult children and works closely with her husband, Gordon, at FiveStone Churches, a ministry that plants, strengthens and renews local churches. She is passionate about living for Christ and building His church by demonstrating His compassion and mercy.