Encouraging - Names of God

Similarly, one of the first steps toward renewing our attention to God is to address Him with variety. Variation creates new interest in God. For instance, thinking about Him as the “Exalted King,” “Master of the Universe,” “Giver of Life,” or “Mighty Fortress” immediately stirs our hearts. Unusual ways of calling on God evoke all sorts of concepts and attitudes. They help us focus more clearly on who God is and what He does for us. Consider…the many titles given to Jesus in the Old and New Testaments:

“Righteous Judge” (2 Tim 4:8)
“Head of the Church” (cf. Eph 1:22)
“Firstborn of creation” (cf. Col 1:15)
“Firstborn among many brothers” (Rom 8:29)
“King of Kings” (Rev 19:16)
“Morning Star” (Rev 22:16)
“Advocate” (cf. 1 John 2:1)
“Word of Life” (1 John 1:1)
“Alpha and Omega” (cf. Rev 1:8)
“Chief Cornerstone” (Eph 2:20)
“Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6)
“Lamb of God” (John 1:29)
“Resurrection and Life” (cf. John 11:25)

Sadly, we seldom hear these titles of Christ used in prayer. Yet, each of them is packed full of powerful significance that draws us toward Him.

Richard L Pratt Jr., Pray With Your Eyes Open: Looking at God, Ourselves, and Our Prayers (P & R Publishing Company, Phillipsburg, NJ: 1987) p. 22.