Praying God's Names: Unlocking Divine Provision and Hope

 

Summary

Standing on 20 acres of land, I am filled with hope and anticipation for the expansion of The Urban Alternative. This hope is rooted in the power of prayer, specifically in praying the names of God. In the past, I have witnessed miracles when invoking these names, and I am confident that God will continue to provide for our ministry's growth. Reflecting on our church's early days, we had only $2,000 in the bank, yet through a supernatural gift, Elohim provided us with our first two acres and an A-frame building. This was a testament to the power of praying to Elohim, the God who creates something out of nothing.

As I walked the acres surrounding our church, I saw God provide over 100 acres for our ministry to flourish both locally and nationally. This was a manifestation of God doing exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think. However, when we sought an additional 65 acres, another group outbid us, and we lost it. This disappointment reminded me of Abraham's story, where he had to give up his cherished son, Isaac, only for God to provide in a miraculous way as Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who pre-sees and provides.

In a turn of events, the group that purchased the land could not maintain it, and it was foreclosed. We were then able to acquire it, demonstrating God's provision and faithfulness. This experience is a testament to the power of praying the names of God, as He truly is Jehovah Jireh. Even when situations seem lost, God pre-sees and provides. I encourage everyone to learn and pray the great names of God, as they are powerful in addressing our needs and circumstances.

Key Takeaways:

- The power of praying God's names is transformative. When we call upon Elohim, the God who creates something out of nothing, we invite His creative power into our lives and circumstances. This is not just about material provision but about witnessing God's ability to bring forth new possibilities from seemingly impossible situations. [00:57]

- God's provision often exceeds our expectations. When we pray and trust in His names, we open ourselves to His ability to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think. This requires faith and patience, as God's timing and methods may differ from our own. [01:27]

- Disappointments can be divine setups. Like Abraham, who had to give up Isaac, we may face situations where we feel we are losing something precious. However, Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who pre-sees, is already orchestrating a greater provision. Our setbacks can be setups for God's miraculous intervention. [01:56]

- God's foresight is our assurance. Jehovah Jireh means the Lord pre-sees and provides. This name assures us that God is aware of our needs before we even express them. Trusting in this aspect of God's character allows us to rest in His provision, even when circumstances seem dire. [02:28]

- Praying the names of God is a powerful practice. Each name of God reveals a different aspect of His character and power. By learning and praying these names, we align ourselves with His will and invite His presence into our lives, enabling us to witness His mighty works. [03:02]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:20] - Hope for Expansion
- [00:57] - Elohim's Provision
- [01:27] - Exceeding Expectations
- [01:56] - Lessons from Abraham
- [02:28] - Jehovah Jireh's Provision
- [03:02] - Power of God's Names

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 22:1-14 - The story of Abraham and Isaac, highlighting Jehovah Jireh.
2. Ephesians 3:20 - God's ability to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think.

Observation Questions:
1. What was the initial financial situation of the church when they first acquired land, and how did they overcome it? [00:20]
2. How did the church's experience with the 65 acres reflect the story of Abraham and Isaac? [01:56]
3. What does the name Jehovah Jireh mean, and how was it demonstrated in the sermon? [02:28]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Abraham and Isaac illustrate the concept of divine provision and foresight? [01:56]
2. In what ways does Ephesians 3:20 challenge believers to expand their expectations of what God can do?
3. How can the practice of praying the names of God transform a believer's perspective on their circumstances? [03:02]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt you lost something important. How might the story of Abraham and the church's land acquisition encourage you to trust in God's provision? [01:56]
2. What are some specific names of God you can incorporate into your prayer life to address current challenges you face? [03:02]
3. How can you cultivate patience and faith when God's timing and methods differ from your own expectations? [01:27]
4. Identify a situation in your life that seems impossible. How can you invite God's creative power, as Elohim, into that situation? [00:57]
5. Consider a recent disappointment. How might it be a divine setup for something greater, and how can you remain open to God's intervention? [01:56]
6. How can you actively remind yourself of God's past provisions to strengthen your faith in current and future challenges? [02:28]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to align your prayers with God's will, using the names of God as a guide? [03:02]

Devotional

Day 1: Inviting God's Creative Power Through Prayer
When we call upon Elohim, the God who creates something out of nothing, we invite His creative power into our lives and circumstances. This is not just about material provision but about witnessing God's ability to bring forth new possibilities from seemingly impossible situations. By praying the names of God, we align ourselves with His will and open our hearts to His transformative power. This practice allows us to see beyond our limitations and trust in God's ability to create new paths and opportunities where none seem to exist. [00:57]

"For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): 'I am the Lord, and there is no other.'" (Isaiah 45:18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel stuck or limited? How can you invite Elohim's creative power into this situation through prayer today?


Day 2: Trusting in God's Abundant Provision
God's provision often exceeds our expectations. When we pray and trust in His names, we open ourselves to His ability to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think. This requires faith and patience, as God's timing and methods may differ from our own. By trusting in God's abundant provision, we learn to let go of our own expectations and embrace the greater plans He has for us. This trust is built through prayer and a deepening relationship with God, allowing us to witness His miraculous works in our lives. [01:27]

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you limited God's provision by holding onto your own expectations? How can you practice letting go and trusting in His abundant provision today?


Day 3: Embracing Divine Setups in Disappointments
Disappointments can be divine setups. Like Abraham, who had to give up Isaac, we may face situations where we feel we are losing something precious. However, Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who pre-sees, is already orchestrating a greater provision. Our setbacks can be setups for God's miraculous intervention. By embracing these moments with faith, we allow God to work in ways that surpass our understanding and bring about His perfect will in our lives. [01:56]

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." (Genesis 50:20, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent disappointment you have faced. How might God be using this situation as a divine setup for something greater? How can you trust in His plan today?


Day 4: Resting in God's Foresight and Assurance
God's foresight is our assurance. Jehovah Jireh means the Lord pre-sees and provides. This name assures us that God is aware of our needs before we even express them. Trusting in this aspect of God's character allows us to rest in His provision, even when circumstances seem dire. By acknowledging God's foresight, we can find peace and confidence in His ability to provide for us in every situation. [02:28]

"Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them." (Psalm 139:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust in God's foresight? How can you practice resting in His assurance and provision today?


Day 5: The Power of Praying God's Names
Praying the names of God is a powerful practice. Each name of God reveals a different aspect of His character and power. By learning and praying these names, we align ourselves with His will and invite His presence into our lives, enabling us to witness His mighty works. This practice deepens our relationship with God and allows us to experience His love and provision in profound ways. [03:02]

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." (Proverbs 18:10, ESV)

Reflection: Which name of God resonates with you the most today? How can you incorporate praying this name into your daily routine to deepen your relationship with Him?

Quotes

"I'm standing on 20 acres that we hope one day will be used for the expansion of The Urban Alternative. That's why I'm going to keep praying God's names, because when I prayed those names before, I saw miracles. So I'm gonna pray those names now and see what He does to expand the ministry of The Urban Alternative." [00:00:01]

"I remember when our church was very young. We only had $2,000 in the bank, and yet, our Elohim provided us through a supernatural gift our first purchase of our first two acres and our A frame building. But when I saw all the property that surrounded our building and saw all the potential ministry that could come from it, I prayed the name of Elohim, that the God who can create something out of nothing would take our nothing and create something out of it for our ministry." [00:00:34]

"And I walked dozens of acres up and down the main thoroughfare in front of our church. I saw God supernaturally provide us over 100 acres right around our church for us to grow our ministry, not only locally for this community, but nationally through the ministry of The Urban Alternative. But then I saw him do exceedingly abundantly above, more than I could ask or think, because right down the street from our church and the property we purchased was another 65 acres, and I knew God wanted us to have." [00:01:06]

"And we called on the name of our great God, as He had done before, to do it again, and we said, 'Give us this mountain.' But wouldn't you know it, another group came in, offered more money, and we lost it. Well needless to say, I was disappointed. But then I remembered the story of Abraham. Abraham had to give back something he loved, something he cherished, and something he wanted—his own son, Isaac—and he had to give it up, only to see God supernaturally come in and express another one of His names, Jehovah Jireh." [00:01:41]

"It means the Lord pre-sees so that He might provide. Well guess what we saw? The group that had purchased it was not able to keep up the payment. It was foreclosed on. The owners called us back. We were then able to get back what we thought we lost. So God saw we wanted it, we believed Him for it, it looked like we lost it, and then He gave it back to us." [00:02:11]

"The supernatural provision of God just like He gave Abraham Isaac back. And it said Isaac was given back as a type. Well this is my testimony of a type. A type of how God can demonstrate His great name, because He surely is Jehovah Jireh. He pre-sees, and even when you think you're losing, He provides. And that's why praying the names of God is so powerful." [00:02:39]

"Learn those great names of God, pray those names of God, and then watch God do His thing in your life and in your circumstances, because God's names have everything to do with addressing your needs." [00:02:56]

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Transcript
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