Praying God s Attributes. By Daniel Pringle. Introduction

Transcription

1 Praying God s Attributes By Daniel Pringle Introduction 1. Accessible 2. Merciful 3. Righteous 4. Eternal 5. Faithful 6. Holy 7. Goodness 8. Righteous 9. Mercy 10. Love 11. Omnipotent 12. Grace 13. Just

2 UNDERSTANDING THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD Job 22:21 Acquaint now thyself with Him and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee The foundation of all true knowledge of God must be a clear mental apprehension of His perfections as revealed in Holy Scripture. An unknown God can neither be trusted, served, nor worshiped. Idolatry is more than bowing down to a small figure or worshiping in a pagan temple. According to the Bible, it is thinking anything about God that isn t true or attempting to transform Him into something He isn t. God pointed out the fallacy of idolatry, saying of man, You thought that I was just like you ( Ps. 50: 21). We must be careful not to think of God in our terms or entertain thoughts at are unworthy of Him. Because we are finite beings, we tend to perceive the infinite in light of our own limitations, even though scripture itself presents truth in language and thoughts that accommodate our human understanding. The Bible also encourages us to reach beyond our limitations and think exalted thoughts about God. The only way to know what God is like is to discover what He has revealed about Himself in Scripture. The revelation of God s nature falls into different categories of attributes, which are definitions of His character. Knowing what God is like is the foundation of knowing God Himself, and knowing God is the essence of being a Christian. John 17: 3 This is eternal life, that they many know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. When most people hear the term eternal life, they think of life that goes on forever. However, scripture affirms that more than that, it is a quality of life for the person who knows God.

3 Jeremiah 9: Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty glory in his might, let not the rich glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth, and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord. The more acquainted with God you are through His revelation of Himself through the Holy Scriptures the more you will have an awareness of God s Presence. This is especially beneficial when it comes to prayer. As I grew in my early years as a believer, I never really knew how to approach God or to invite Him into this sacred secret place of prayer. My prayers were often limited to my minute understanding of Him, and consequently those times of prayer were usually founded in my personal experiences rather than revelation. Understanding and praying the attributes of God will increase your capacity in prayer as well as enhance your time of prayer. You will gain a greater awareness of His Presence because you are worshiping Him in Spirit and in Truth. Not only will your prayer life become more energized by the revelation of God s attributes but you will also gain a greater level of faith, confidence and boldness. Daniel 11:32 the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do expoits Although this book is not an exhaustive study on the character of God, I trust it will help you to know what God is like and serve as a tool to help you during your time of prayer. Scripture promises that you find God if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul ( Deut. 4: 29). Learn to say with the Apostle Paul. Philippians 3: 10 Amp My determined purpose is that I may know Him- that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person more strongly and more clearly. Read the Scriptures carefully and as you prayer, I encourage you to begin your time of prayer magnifying God according to the truth that He has revealed about Himself. I have found that as I focus on one particular attribute for each session of prayer and expound on that particular attribute your inner man will begin to know God more intimately than ever before.

4 ACCESSIBILITY OF GOD Definition God is accessible. He is available and approachable. He desires to meet with us and talk with us. Not only does he desire to meet with us, He delights in our fellowship. God created us not because He was lonely but for His own good pleasure. We were created to bring God pleasure. One of the ways things that brings God pleasure is to communicate with those whom He loves. Adam was accustomed to communing with God on a daily basis. Each day God met with Adam to intimately share with him. Our God is not a God who is watching passively from a distance observing your life. He is close at hand. In the OT God had given Moses instructions on constructing the tabernacle ordained the Levites to serve in the temple. Among the priests was the high priest who could approach God and that only once a year. Now, we have a high priest in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Jesus has gone before us as a forerunner and has entered into the Holy of Holies. We now have access into that place with Him as well, not just once a year but He is accessible always. We are also made Kings and Priests unto our Father. Which means we now have access as well to offer spiritual sacrifices. 1 Peter 2: 5 Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. He is a God that is within reach and nearby. He is never too busy to hear your cry of those things that concern you. Use these scriptures to pray back to God regarding the accessibility of God.

5 Deuteronomy 4: 7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? Ephesians 2: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ Ephesians 3: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him Hebrews 4: 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need Hebrews 7: 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Hebrews 10: 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water James 4; 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

6 Declaration of Faith I praise you Father that there is no other people that has a God like you. I thank you because you have made yourself available and accessible to me. Because of the blood of Jesus I can come boldly to the throne of grace. Jesus Christ has entered into the Holy of Holies as my High Priest I am taking advantage of my privileges as a priest unto you. I will offer spiritual sacrifices to you today, sacrifices of praise, sacrifices of joy, sacrifices of thanksgiving. You are intimately acquainted with me and my life. Thank you that in Christ I can approach you with confidence and boldness. I approach you today by faith and I thank you that you are presently interceding for me. Thank you that I can draw near to you and that your blood cleanses my heart from an evil conscience and as I draw near to you, You will draw near to me during this time.

7 THE MERCY OF GOD Definition God is merciful. The mercy of God is a quality of compassion, especially as expressed in God s forgiveness of human sin. Scripture stresses God s forbearance towards sinners. In his mercy, God shields sinners from what they deserve and gives gifts that they do not deserve. What, then, is mercy? It can be defined as the goodness or the love of God towards those who are in misery or distress as the result of their sin, and irrespective of their deserts. It is the loving kindness of God, the tender compassion of the Lord. Mercy is kindness exercised towards the miserable, and includes pity, compassion, forbearance, and gentleness, which the Scriptures so abundantly ascribe to God. Grace is love exercised towards the unworthy. God deals with his children based on mercy and not judgment. In the OT there was in the tabernacle a piece of furniture in the Holy of Holies which was the innermost chamber called the mercy seat. The mercy seat was made of pure gold. When the priests took the blood from the sacrifice they put the blood on the mercy seat. When God had accepted the blood of the sacrifice he was able to deal with them according to mercy and not judgment. Now because of the blood of Jesus we can now come to God s throne of grace and receive mercy. Let s take a look at the characteristics of the mercy of the Lord. God is merciful ( Deut. 4:31) God is rich in mercy ( Eph. 2:4) His mercy is great ( 2 Sam. 24:14) Through the Lord s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness ( Lam. 3: 22-23) The Lord is merciful and forgiving ( Daniel 9:9)