Knowing And Praying Using The Names Of God

The names of God reveal His true nature. Here are some names of God along with their meanings and Scripture references to help you grow in understanding of our magnificent Lord and Saviour! Use these names of God in your prayers as you seek His face for peace, strength, and power each day.

EL ROI

El Roi means The God who Sees (Genesis 16:13). In this passage, God appears to Hagar when she flees to the desert from the mistreatment of her mistress Sarai. God took the time to meet this Egyptian slave girl right where she was. She was not insignificant to Him–and God provided exactly what she needed. In our times of difficulty, we must remember that God is still El Roi today. He sees you and your pain, and you matter deeply to Him! 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.”

Prayer and Meditation

Lord, I thank you that you are El Roi–the God who sees. According to your word, you look down from heaven and see all mankind (Psalm 33:13). Look down on me and those in my sphere of influence and have mercy on us. Guard me with your truth and lead me in the way you would have me go.

EL SHADDAI

El Shaddai means The All-Sufficient God (Genesis 17:1). When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.” (Genesis 17:1). In this passage, God appears to Abram and declares that he is El Shaddai — the all-sufficient God. God then changed Abram’s name to Abraham and declared that he would be the father of many nations. How was this possible when Abram and Sarai were barren and childless? Because God is all-sufficient — nothing is too hard for Him! The next time you find yourself in a situation that seems impossible, remember that you are a child of El Shaddai, and nothing is too difficult for our God!

Prayer and Meditation

Lord, I thank you that you are El Shaddai–the all-sufficient God. Nothing is too hard for you. You sustain the entire world in your hands, and nothing is hidden from your sight (Hebrews 4:13). You are all-powerful and mighty, praise be to your name! Help me remember that no matter what I face, you will uphold me with your righteous right hand (Psalm 48:10).

EL ELYON

El Elyon means the Most High God. In Psalm 9:2, it says, “I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.”

Another name for God is the Most High God–there is no one above Him! He is exalted above all other kings, monarchs, and those in authority. He is lifted high, and His enemies are scattered (Psalm 68:1). Sometimes, the problems and difficult circumstances in our lives can seem so daunting–without realising, we might exalt our problems above the greatness of our Most High God. But because God is El Elyon, our circumstances must bow the knee to the Most High God! The next time you feel discouraged and overwhelmed by life’s challenges, remember this: our God is exalted above all!

Prayer and Meditation

Lord, I praise your name because you are El Elyon–the Most High God. Is there anything too difficult for you? Is there any king, ruler, or authority greater than you? No–you are exalted above all! Help me to trust you with my life, and to remember that nothing can separate me from your love (Romans 8:39).

ADONAI

Adonai means Lord, Master. I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” (Psalm 16:2). The name Adonai in Hebrew means “my Lord.” It was also a title used to refer to God without using his proper name, Yᵊhōvâ (Yahweh, or Jehovah), which means “the existing One.” The Jewish people used the word Adonai when speaking of God, since God’s proper name was so holy that they did not speak that name aloud out of reverence. When David in Psalm 16:2 referred to God as Adonai, he proclaimed that The LORD, the Almighty, Holy, “existing One” was his Lord. “You are my Lord…” How wonderful it is that we can also confidently proclaim that the God of the universe is our Lord?! God is high and lifted up, Master and Ruler of all creation–and we also have the privilege of knowing him intimately! How true it is that apart from him, we have no good thing!

Prayer and Meditation

Oh Lord, Master, and Adonai, I praise you for being Lord over my life. Thank you for the honour and privilege of calling you my Lord. I lift my hands and heart to you in gratitude and thanksgiving-holy is your mighty name! I surrender my life to your lordship and trust you wholeheartedly. May I live my life in obedience to your Word, as I look to you for help, hope, and strength each day. Amen!

JEHOVAH NISSI

Jehovah Nissi means ‘The Lord My Banner.’ Moses built an altar and called it ‘The Lord is my Banner’ (Exodus 17:15). Exodus 17:8–16 recounts the powerful story of how the Lord delivered the Israelites from the Amalekites. Moses instructed Joshua to gather some of the Israelite men to fight their enemies. The next day, Moses, Aaron, and Hur stood on top of a hill. Moses lifted the staff of God in his hands (Exodus 17:9).

As long as Moses kept his hands raised, Joshua and the Israelites were winning the battle against the Amalekites. When he lowered his hands, the Amalekites began to gain ground (Exodus 17:11). Eventually, Moses’ arms grew tired, so Aaron and Hur placed a stone under him to sit on. They held Moses’ arms up until sunset, and the Israelites defeated their enemies (Exodus 17:12–13). After the victory, Moses built an altar to the Lord and named it Jehovah Nissi — The LORD is my Banner. This altar symbolized that the Lord fought for and protected Israel, reminding them of His faithfulness. What a powerful testimony to God’s power and faithfulness!

Prayer and Meditation

Lord, I praise You that You are Jehovah Nissi–the LORD, my Banner. You also provide me with strength and power through Your Holy Spirit to overcome the obstacles in my life. Help me to remember that You will fight my battles and that You will help me in my time of need (Exodus 14:14). Amen.

JEHOVAH-RAAH or JEHOVAH ROHI

Jehovah-Raah or Jehovah Rohi means ‘The Lord My Shepherd.’ The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing. (Psalm 23:1). It is such a comfort to know that God is our loving Shepherd! David not only declared that God was his Adonai, but also that he was Jehovah-Raah, the Lord my Shepherd. Jesus also declared in John 10:11 that he is the Good Shepherd. He is good because he laid down his life for his sheep. Our Good Shepherd leads and guides us along paths of righteousness. He will never lead us astray!

Prayer and Meditation

Lord, thank you for being Jehovah Raah-the Lord, my Shepherd. I praise you for leading me beside still waters and bringing comfort and peace to my soul. Help me trust you with my life as I follow your guidance each day. Amen.

JEHOVAH RAPHA

Jehovah Rapha means The Lord Who Heals. He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” (Exodus 15:26). Before the Lord spoke these words to the Israelites, he miraculously delivered them from the hands of the Egyptians (Exodus 15:19). After they crossed the Red Sea, they entered the Desert of Shur and travelled for three days without finding any water. When they did find water, they could not drink it because it was bitter (Exodus 15:23). Moses cried out to the Lord, and God showed him a piece of wood. Moses threw the wood into the bitter water, and it immediately became drinkable (Exodus 15:25). The Hebrew word actually means that the water became pleasant, or sweet. Then God declared to the people of Israel that he is Jehovah Rapha-the Lord who heals (Exodus 15:26). When we are travelling through our own desert circumstances, we, like the Israelites, must remember that God is faithful. He had just displayed his mighty power by parting the Red Sea and delivering them from the Egyptians’ hands. We also must remember that God has been faithful to us in our own lives. He is faithful, and he is our Healer. Only he can turn bitter circumstances into something sweet. What a mighty God we serve!

Prayer and Meditation

Lord, thank you for being my Healer, Jehovah Rapha. You have been faithful to me! Just as you cared for the needs of the Israelites, help me to trust and believe that you will also care for me. Today, I choose to follow your ways and serve you with my life. Amen.

JEHOVAH SHAMMAH

Jehovah Shammah means The Lord Is There. “And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there.” Ezekiel 48:35. How wonderful it is to know that God is with us! During the time of the prophet Ezekiel, the Israelites were in exile in the land of Babylon. Throughout his prophetic ministry, the Lord revealed to him visions of the time when Israel would be restored to its former glory (Ezekiel 40:1–4). In Ezekiel 48, the Lord described how the land would be divided among the tribes of Israel. After each tribe had its allotted land, the Lord declared the name of the city–Jehovah Shammah: the Lord is there. Despite all that the Israelites had endured — disobedience, rejection of God as their King, and exile in a foreign land — God had not abandoned His chosen nation. He chose to remain with them–and He continues to choose to be present in our lives as well! No amount of sin or hardship can separate us from the love of our great God (Romans 8:38–39). He is Jehovah Shammah. He is there with us, never to leave or forsake us! (Hebrews 13:5).

Prayer and Meditation

Lord, I thank you that you are Jehovah Shammah–the Lord is there. You are with me, even in the midst of my most difficult circumstances. I thank you for you will never give up on me. Help me to remain in you and to abide in your presence each day. Amen.

JEHOVAH TSIDKENU

Jehovah Tsidkenu means The Lord Our Righteousness. In those days, Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.’ Jeremiah 33:16

Prayer and Meditation

Lord, I praise you for being my Righteous Saviour! You have clothed me with garments of salvation and dressed me in a robe of your righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). I thank you that you have equipped me with the powerful breastplate of your righteousness (Ephesians 6:14). Help me to walk in your righteousness through your power and strength. Amen.

JEHOVAH MEKADDISHKEM

Jehovah Mekaddishkem means The Lord Who Sanctifies You. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy. (Leviticus 20:8). The Hebrew word for holy in this passage means to consecrate, prepare, or dedicate. It also signifies being holy, sanctified, and separate. It is the same word used when God commanded the Israelites to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy (Exodus 20:8). Through the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, we are sanctified, set apart, and made holy! (Hebrews 10:10)

Prayer and Meditation

Lord, thank you that through you, I am sanctified and set apart for your holy purposes. Thank you that through Christ, my sins are forgiven, and I can now enjoy a wonderful relationship with you. Help me to continue serving you and living my life free from the bondage and captivity of sin. Amen.

EL OLAM

El Olam means The Everlasting God. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. (Isaiah 26:4)

Prayer and Meditation

Lord, I thank you that you are the Eternal Rock on which I can stand. All other ground is sinking sand! May your everlasting strength and power sustain me each day as I stand on the solid truth of your Word. Praise be to your name! Amen.

JEHOVAH JIREH

Jehovah Jireh means the Lord will Provide. Many of us are familiar with this powerful passage in Scripture where Abraham was tested. God told Abraham, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love — Isaac — and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” (Genesis 22:2)

Even though Abraham did not understand God’s request to sacrifice his son, he did not hesitate–and took Isaac to the mountain the next day. Just as Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, here’s what happened next: But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” (Genesis 22:11–12) At that moment, a ram appeared in a thicket nearby. God provided for Abraham that day, and the ram was sacrificed instead of Abraham’s son (Genesis 22:13). So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” (Genesis 22:14). What a powerful story! God provided for us by sending Jesus to die in our place. Jesus is our sacrificial lamb and the “ram in the bush”–who took the punishment of our sins. That is the most powerful provision of all!

Prayer and Meditation

Lord, thank you for being Jehovah Jireh–my provider. You provided salvation for my sins, and I will spend eternity with you. Praise be to your name! I also trust and believe that you will provide for all my needs, according to your glorious riches in Christ Jesus!

JEHOVAH SHALOM

Jehovah Shalom means The Lord Is Peace. So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace. To this day, it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites (Judges 6:24). The story of Gideon is an inspiring example of how God chooses to use the weak and lowly to display His power, glory, and victory. The Israelites at that time were being severely oppressed by the Midianites. God called Gideon, a member of the weakest clan and the least in his family, to defeat their enemies (Judges 6:15). The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, and Gideon thought he was going to die because he had seen the Lord. But the angel of the Lord said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die” (Judges 6:23). Then Gideon built an altar to the Lord called Jehovah Shalom–the Lord is Peace. Is God calling you to a task that seems impossible? Do you feel surrounded by trouble and difficulty, like the Israelites felt about the Midianites? Remember that Jehovah Shalom is with you! He will fill you with His peace and give you the strength you need to overcome any obstacle in your life.

Prayer and Meditation

Lord, thank you for being Jehovah Shalom — my peace. When my enemies seem to surround me on every side, help me to remember that your peace will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6). Amen.

JEHOVAH SABAOTH

Jehovah Sabaoth means The Lord of Hosts. However, the Lord Almighty will be exalted through His justice, and the holy God will be shown to be holy by His righteous acts. (Isaiah 5:16). The Hebrew word for “host” can refer to a large number of an army, a host of angels, a starry host (such as the sun, moon, and stars), creation, or service. Because God is Lord of all creation, He is therefore the Lord of Hosts!

Prayer and Meditation

Lord, I praise you for being the Lord of Hosts. You are sovereign over all creation; you are a righteous warrior (Exodus 15:3). I exalt and praise you for your righteous deeds. May your power and might be displayed in my life and in the world, and may people recognise that you are the One True God! Amen.

ELOHIM OZER LI

Elohim Ozer Li means ‘God My Helper’. Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. (Psalm 54:4)

Prayer and Meditation

Lord, I thank you that you are my help! You sustain me in times of trouble, and you uphold me with your righteousness (Isaiah 41:10). Guide me each day and grant me your help, support, and strength. Amen.

EL SALI

El Sali means God, my Rock. “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Saviour! (2 Samuel 22:47).

Prayer and Meditation

Lord, I praise you because you are my Rock! Help me to stand on the firm foundation of your salvation. You are steadfast, strong, and my mighty Protector. Hallelujah! Glory to your name! Amen.

EL SIMCHATH GILI

El Simchath Gili means ‘God My Exceeding Joy.’ Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. (Psalm 43:4)

Prayer and Meditation

I praise you, Lord, for filling my soul with your exceeding joy! I rejoice in your salvation and the peace and freedom I find in you. May your joy and gladness overflow from my heart, and may your joy be my strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Amen.

JEHOVAH GIBBOR MILCHAMAH

Jehovah Gibbor Milchamah means The LORD Mighty in Battle. Who is this King of glory? The Lord is strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. (Psalm 24:8).

Prayer and Meditation

I thank you, Lord, Mighty in Battle. You have conquered all your enemies, and every knee will bow before you (Isaiah 45:23). Thank you for fighting my battles for me–I only need to stand still before you (Exodus 14:14). Praise your name!

JEHOVAH EL EMETH

Jehovah El Emeth means LORD God of Truth. Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God. (Psalm 31:5).

Prayer and Meditation

Lord, I thank you that you are the God of Truth. You are faithful, reliable, and steadfast. Every word spoken from your mouth is true, and your Word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11). Help me to reject the lies of the enemy, and to hold fast to your truth today. Amen.

JEHOVAH HOSHIAH

Jehovah Hoshiah means ‘O LORD, Save.’ Lord, give victory to the king! Answer us when we call! (Psalm 20:9). The Hebrew word yāšaʿ means to save, to be delivered, liberated, or to be victorious.

Prayer and Meditation

Lord, I praise you for being my Saviour and deliverer. You have rescued me from the dominion of darkness and called me into your marvellous light (Colossians 1:13). Thank you for your liberating grace and mercy, and for answering me when I call to you. Amen.

SAR SHALOM

Sar Shalom means ‘Prince of Peace.’ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Prayer and Meditation

Lord, I praise You for who You are — You are my Prince of Peace! You have given me tranquillity and rest in my soul. Please keep my mind in perfect peace as I continue to trust in You (Isaiah 26:3). Amen.

ABBA

Abba means Father. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. (Matthew 6:9). The word Abba signifies source and sustainer. God is our Father. He is the source and sustainer. In every circumstance and situation, you find yourself in, call him. His is Abba. He is your source and sustainer. He will provide and see you through.

Prayer and Meditation

Thank you, God, you are my Father. You are our Father. Thank you for being my source and sustainer. I lean on and rely on you. Oh, help me, God, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Contributor: Gilbert Magomere Ayieko