God has many names, but here are 5 powerful names of God you can use when praying to God.

El SHADDIA – The Mighty God

Genesis 17:1 “When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.”

Here God uses for Himself the name, EL SHADDIA. This name for God in Hebrew means “almighty, most powerful.” Since Abraham was well beyond the age of having children, as was Sarah, it took a mighty act of God, and of course, God did act and brought Isaac to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. When you feel you need the supernatural and mighty power of God, call upon EL SHADDIA, the one true God; He is a mighty and powerful God. I love using this name of God in prayer when I need a miracle or I’m asking for God to supernaturally intervene on behalf of someone else or myself. At times like this, I do what Abraham did when he desired a son. He “fell on his face” (Gen 17:3) before El SHADDIA, the mighty, powerful God.

ELOHIM – The Creator, Mighty, Strong God

Genesis 17:7 “And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.”

It is very interesting that God revealed to Abraham two of His attributes in one conversation. First God says that He is “God Almighty” (Gen 17:1) and next He tells Abraham that He “will establish [His] covenant between” Him and Abraham and He will “be God to” him. The name ELOHIM is plural and not just about one Person. It is the same name used God used for Himself in the creation where God said “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth” (Gen 1:26). ELOHIM is plural, but the name ELOHIM in the Hebrew means the “Creator, Mighty, Strong God.” The same omnipotent (all-powerful) God Who spoke the universe and the worlds into existence. At His word, the worlds existed, for He is the Creator; the Mighty, Strong God.

YAHWEH-JIREH – The Lord Will Provide

Genesis 22:14 “So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

After the Lord provided a sacrifice instead of Abraham’s own son, Isaac, Abraham called that place after an attribute of God. He used the name YAHWEH-JIREH, which means, “the Lord Will Provide.” Thousands of years later, on that same hill, God would provide another sacrifice; one greater than all combined. It was on Calvary that our Savior died to redeem those who trust in Him (Mark 10:45), so indeed, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided,” and it was on that same mount that Christ came to die for sinners. Abraham knew from this point on (Gen 22:14) that the Lord would faithfully provide for all his needs, for He is the Lord, the Provider. God has not changed. He will provide for you too in great times of need.

YAHWEH-ROHI – The Lord Our Shepherd

Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

King David wrote this Messianic Psalm and gave a perfect description of our Lord Jesus’ Christ; the Good Shepherd. If He is your Shepherd, then you shall not want, but He is only the Shepherd of those who have trusted in Him…or in His own flock (John 10). The Hebrew word used here for shepherd is “ra`ah” which means to pasture (which is where the word “pastor” comes from). This name’s meaning also includes, to “tend, graze, feed,” or be “ruler,” or “teacher” of. That’s the very thing the Lord does for His sheep. He feeds them through a local assembly of the Body of Christ. He uses under-shepherds to do that (pastors, teachers), and His Word, the Bible.

YHWH / YAHWEH or I AM THAT I AM

Exodus 3:14 “God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.”

Out of curiosity, Moses walked over to see the burning bush in the desert. Here was a bush that would simply not be burned up, even though it was aflame with fire. How was that possible? When Moses heard God speak, Moses naturally wanted to know His name, for surely the people of Israel would want to know. God’s answer was probably not what Moses expected. God said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you” (Ex 3:14b). In other words, God said to tell Israel that “I AM THAT I AM,” or in the Hebrew “HAYAH” which means “to be, to exist,” or the “Self-Existent One.” The meaning is that has no cause for He has always existed. There was no time when God has not existed. He is the Great I AM. The verb “to be,” means that He has no need of anything outside of Himself to exist, or to be.

Conclusion

If you have not called upon the name of the Lord yet and publically professed faith in Jesus Christ, you may not be saved. Make that calling and election sure; do it right now; at this very moment. Today is the best day to trust in Christ (2 Cor 6:2). Tomorrow may be too late (Heb 9:27), if tomorrow even comes. Jesus is coming again to judge all who reject Him (Rev 20:12-15), but there’s no need for you to die in your sins. Jesus Christ has paid for the wrath of God that was due upon us (Rom 5:6-10); if only you will repent and believe. That’s what Jesus Christ Himself said (Mark1:15). Trust in Him today and you shall see His face someday (Rev 21:1-5)…and perhaps then, you can learn a few of the other names or attributes of God. That is my prayer for you.

Here is some related reading for you: What Are Some Other Names for Jesus in the Bible?

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Tagged as: El Shaddia, Elohim, Names of God, YAHWEH