Prayer Focus 08/23/17 - 08/29/17

Prayer Focus – The Names of God

·         Scriptures

o    "From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised." (Psalm 113:3)

o    "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain" (Exodus 20:7)

o    Psalm 8:1 -- "O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth."

o    Psalm 29:2 -- "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name."

o    Psalm 34:3 -- "Let us exalt His name together."

o    Psalm 48:10 -- "According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise."

o    Psalm 66:4 -- "They shall sing to thy name."

o    Psalm 72:19 -- "Blessed be His glorious name forever."

o    Psalm 100:4 -- "Give thanks to Him and praise His name."

o    Psalm 103:1b -- "Praise His holy name."

o    Psalm 145:2 -- "I will praise you and extol your name forever."  

We call on his name because anyone’s name designated character. It represented the kind of person someone was to be. Thus the names of God reveal to us something of His character. These are names He gave Himself and thus they reveal to us what God chooses to show us about Himself. To praise God, properly, we should know Him intimately. Let us see the significance of His names. Let us call on the Names of God!

Elohim

• Elohim is used over 2700 times in the Bible. It means "the one who is great, mighty, and dreadful."
• Plural -- indicates Trinity.  It is the name by which covenants were instituted.

El Shaddai

• Used 48 times in O.T.
• "The one who is mighty to completely nourish, satisfy, and supply us."
• Genesis 17:1 -- used to initiate the covenant with Abraham.

Adonai

• "Lord"  The one who reigns
• Refers to His ownership of all that is. Refers also to our need for stewardship.
• Isaiah 6 -- "I saw the LORD . . . ."

Jehovah-Jireh

o    Genesis 22:14.  "The Lord provides." "Provide" means "to see before."

o    He knows every need in advance.

Jehovah-Rophe

o    Exodus 15:26 -- Name given by God Himself.

o    After bitter waters of Marah.  "Healing is what I am."

Jehovah-Nissi

o    Exodus 17:15.  God prevailed in battle against the Amalekites as Moses prayed. When he stopped praying the Amalekites began to win. Finally Aaron and Hur help Moses pray and God gives the victory to Israel.

o    Jehovah-Nissi -- "The Standard" to which all men must gather and behind which all men must march.

Jehovah-M'Kaddesh

o    Leviticus 20:7  "The One who makes you holy."

Jehovah-Shalom

o    Judges 6:24

o    Gideon was frightened but the Lord said, "Peace, Do not be afraid, You are not going to die!" Gideon replied, "Jehovah-shalom." He recognized that God is peace.

Jehovah Rohi

o    Psalm 23:1 -- "The Lord is my shepherd."

o    He is the Good Shepherd.
(1) Guidance (2) Feeding (3) Protection (4) Mercy

o    Revelation 7:17 -- "For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Jehovah-Tsidkenu

o    Jeremiah 23:5-6 -- "The days are coming when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do that which is just and right in the land. In His days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which He will be called: Jehovah-Tsidkenu" [The Lord our Righteousness].

o    tsidek means exact measurement. God's standard of righteousness is exact. Only one person has ever lived up to that standard -- Jesus.

Jehovah-Shammah

o    Ezekiel 48:35

o    After a very sad message from Ezekiel. All the glory has departed from the Temple and from Israel.  But God is coming again! The glory will return! One day men will proclaim "God is there!" [Jehovah-Shammah]

o    Where? In our hearts.
(1) 2 Corinthians 3:16
(2) 2 Corinthians 6:16 -- "For we are the temple of the living God."

7 Things to Pray for our Pastor

#1 – For Protection From Satan

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

#2 – For Protection Against His Own Sinful Heart

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (James 1:14-15)

#3 – For Deep Spiritual Encouragement

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. (Romans 1:11-12)

#4 – For Wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5)

#5 – For A Healthy Body

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:27).

#6 – For A Strong Marriage and Family

Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church (1 Timothy 3:2-6)

#7 – For Meaningful Friendships

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).

Dear Lord,

Please keep our Bishop and First Lady in your loving care.  Father, please protect my Bishop and First Lady from the attacks of Satan. Give them the strength to endure temptation and stand firm against the accusations Satan loves to whisper in his and her ear. Help them stand firm in your service, always fighting for the faith and for God’s people. 

Father, please protect my Bishop and First Lady. Guard them from sin. Keep their conscience tender and fresh. Keep them close to you and close to your word. 

Father, please encourage my Bishop and First Lady by the power of your Spirit. Let her soul be refreshed with the love of Christ. Let him have faith for the future. Help them to keep pressing forward even when the way is littered with landmines. 

Father, please give my Bishop your wisdom. Help him know the way to go even when the way is not clear. Give him discernment to know good from evil, even when evil is dressed as good. Help him apply your word to even the most confusing situations. 

Father, please give my Bishop true, deep, sustaining friendships. Give him friends who stick closer than brothers. Who uphold him when he’s weary. Who help carry his burdens. 

Father, please give my Bishop and First Lady supernatural health and strength. Protect them from sickness and disease. Give them your energy to keep serving faithfully. Help them to find periods of rest and recovery. Guide them to still waters. 

In Jesus’ Name - Amen