Are You a Child of God?

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2 Are You a Child of God? This is a question that is easy to answer if you aren t sure by verses from the Bible that reveal this truth: Have you believed in Christ, trusting Him, relying on Him for everything? Have you received Christ into your heart and life? (John 1:12) Have you believed in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, and spoken with your mouth that Jesus is Lord? (Romans 10:9) Do you sense that you are a new creation in Christ evidenced by a desire to spend time in God s Word? (2 Corinthians 5:17) Are you experiencing God s call to live as a child of light, including the conviction and power to turn away from sin? (Ephesians 5:8-9; Luke 13:3, 5) Is the fruit of the Holy Spirit influencing your life and relationships in increasing measure? (Galatians 5:22-23) If these things don t seem real in your life and you want them to be, speak to a pastor or godly friend, or pray like this: God, I believe Jesus is Your Son. I now receive Him as the Lord, who is the Savior of my life. I believe that Jesus died for my sins, that He was buried and raised again from the dead. I confess that I have sinned against You and I am sorry. Thank You for forgiving me! Thank You for the gift of salvation! Please strengthen me to love You, to serve You and to turn away from the temptations and sins of this world. Thank You for the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal and forever Savior! I pray in His name, amen.

3 Unless otherwise designated, Scripture quotations are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Scripture references marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Scripture references marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. Scripture references marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers,

4 I AM God s self-portrait in 100 brush-strokes From Genesis to the Revelation, the Bible is a record of God s unveiling of Himself to us. As might be expected, He does this in more than one way. More than three, actually. But we have chosen three that we find clearly exampled in His Word: by His names, in His attributes, and through His promises. In these, by biblical illustration and precept, we can know more of who He is, what He is like, and how He works in the world. Included are 100 separate passages of Scripture, designed to help you employ His great names, His majestic attributes, and His precious promises in your own prayers of worship, praise, thanksgiving and supplication. There can be no more important pursuit for any child of God than that of knowing Him and then, in full submission, giving Him His rightful place: high and lifted up. He is, after all, the great I Am, our Creator, our Redeemer and our Sustainer. May the work of these pages prove helpful in empowering your prayers and strengthening your personal relationship with Him.

5 Table of Contents Names of God Revealing Who He Is 2 Names of God with Verses 3-6 Praying the Names of God 7 Attributes of God Revealing What He Is Like 8 Attributes of God with Verses 9-12 Praying the Attributes of God 13 God s Promises Revealing How He Works 14 Promises of God with Verses Praying the Promises of God 19 Are You a Child of God? Inside Front Cover

6 The Names of God Revealing Who He Is At the very dawn of creation, God is identified as Elohim, which means Creator. It is a plural word in the Hebrew, bearing the concept of joint activity by the Triune Deity Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (evident in both Old and New Testament references). Beginning with Moses and then on to the prophets and the psalmists, other names appear in keeping with the many facets of God s nature and personality. First in significance is Jehovah, or Yahweh (JHVH in the Hebrew). This identifies Him as the self-existent one, the uncreated one, and in His own word to Moses, I AM WHO I AM (Exodus 3:14). This Jehovah name then serves as an anchor for many other names names that reflect His work as Healer (Jehovah-Rophe), as Provider (Jehovah-Jireh), as Peace (Jehovah-Shalom) and many others with which we are familiar. As God revealed Himself in these manifold ways and for very practical purposes in His dealing with His people, it is evident that He was inviting them to address Him in these terms. It became right and good for them to pray to Him as Healer, Provider, Shepherd, Peace, Banner, and in many other ways. In the New Testament, we find Jesus portrayed in much the same pattern. I am the Shepherd. He said. I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. I am the Resurrection and the Life. So many beautiful ways to say that He is God in the flesh and that under the New Covenant He is all that the Father represented in the Old, plus so much that accompanies His special work as Savior, Redeemer, and Restorer of man s broken relationship with the Creator. It is right and good to address Father and Son in these terms, by the living presence of the Holy Spirit given to us as the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the Spirit of Truth. We pray most richly and with greatest pleasure when we employ the great names of our God and Savior. Following is a partial list of the names, titles and descriptions of God (all simply referred to as His names) from the Scriptures, with suggestions for prayer. 2

7 Names of God There are hundreds of names, titles, and descriptions of God in the Bible, from Genesis to The Revelation. These are but representative examples; may they bring joy to your prayers of worship. Elohim [EL-O- HEEM] Creator In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1) Adonai [ADD-EH- NYE] Lord and Master Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? I said: Here am I. Send me. (Isaiah 6:8) Elyon [ EL-YAWN] Most High, Sovereign Ruler Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord that you alone are the Most High over all the earth. (Psalm 83:18, NIV) El Shaddai [EL-SHA- DIE] God Almighty, Our Sufficiency, Our Sustainer When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said, I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. (Genesis 17:2) Jehovah [YHWH, YA -WAY] I Am Who I Am, The Self-Existent, Ever-Revealing One God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you. (Exodus 3:14) Jehovah-Jireh [JIE -REH] The LORD Will Provide And Abraham named that place The LORD Will Provide. (Genesis 22:14) Jehovah-Rophe [RAH -FAH] The LORD Who Heals He said, If you will carefully obey the LORD your God, do what is right in His eyes, pay attention to His commands, and keep all His statutes, I will not inflict any illness on you I inflicted on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you. (Exodus 15:26) Jehovah-Nissi [NEH -SEE] The LORD Our Banner And Moses built an altar and named it, The LORD Is My Banner. (Exodus 17:15) 3

8 Names of God Jehovah-Shalom [SHA- LOAM] The LORD Is Peace And Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and named it Yahweh- Shalom (which means the Lord is peace ). (Judges 6:24, NLT) Jehovah-Rohi [ROE -HYE] The LORD My Shepherd The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. (Psalm 23:1, NLT) Jehovah-Sabaoth [SAH-BAH- OATH] The LORD of Hosts David said to the Philistine, You come against me with a dagger, spear, and sword, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel s armies. (1 Samuel 17:45) Jehovah-Shamma [SHAH- MAH] The LORD Is There And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE. (Ezekiel 48:35, NIV) Jehovah-Tsidkenu [SID- KEN-YOU] The LORD Our Righteousness And this will be his name: The Lord Is Our Righteousness. In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety. (Jeremiah 23:6, NLT) Jehovah-M Kaddesh [EM-KAH- DESH] The LORD Our Sanctifier Say to the Israelites, You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. (Exodus 31:13, NIV) Sovereign LORD Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. (Jeremiah 32:17, NIV) Light of the World When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. (John 8:12) Bread of Life Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry. (John 6:35) 4

9 Names of God The Gate Jesus said again, I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep....i am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. (John 10:7, 9) The Good Shepherd I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11) The Way, the Truth, the Life Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) The Resurrection and the Life Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (John 11:25-26) The True Vine I [Jesus] am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener....i am the vine; you are the branches. (John 15:1, 5) The Alpha and the Omega I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. (Revelation 22:13) Bright Morning Star I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. (Revelation 22:16) Prince of Peace For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. And he will be called Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) Everlasting Father For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. And he will be called Everlasting Father. (Isaiah 9:6) 5

10 Names of God Wonderful Counselor For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor. (Isaiah 9:6) Mighty God For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. And he will be called Mighty God. (Isaiah 9:6) Son of God If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. (1 John 4:15) Son of Man just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28) Savior And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. (1 John 4:14) Redeemer Christ redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles...so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Galatians 3:13, 14) Lord of the Harvest He [Jesus] told them, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. (Luke 10:2, NIV) King eternal, immortal, invisible Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. (1 Timothy 1:17) 6

11 Praying the Names of God I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8, NIV) When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He said we should begin Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. We should begin with our focus on God rather than on the people or concerns we are praying for. We have provided a verse of Scripture with each name of God featured here. There are many ways to use the names and Scriptures in your prayers: 1. Worship God by a different one of His names every day. Keep that name in mind as you move through the day. Talk to Him using that name, either silently in your heart or in a soft whisper. We are told to set the Lord always before us and this is one way to do that effectively: Father, I love You and I worship You as our Creator. I see evidence of Your mighty work all around me, in the flowers and trees, in the people I love. 2. Pray through one or more of the names and Scriptures: Jesus, I worship You as the Light of the World because of Your light, we do not have to live in the darkness. And I exalt You as the Bread of Life whoever believes in You will never be spiritually hungry. I praise You for being our Gate, the Gate through which we enter and are saved. 3. Let each name inspire prayer for a different loved one: Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace, and I ask You to give Your peace that surpasses understanding to my friend (Mary). You are the Lord who is there, always with us. Help (George) to sense Your presence. 4. Pray several of the names for one person: Father, I pray for (Sherry) who is so ill. I ask You to be her Shepherd. Help her to know that because of You she will not want in the care she needs. You are the Lord who Heals, and I ask for Your healing. You are our Wonderful Counselor, and I ask You to give her Your wise counsel as she makes decisions about her treatment. 7

12 The Attributes of God Revealing What He Is Like Just as God in the Bible introduces Himself by His meaningful names, He also is described in terms of His nature and character. While His attributes are familiar to us, and we are comfortable when we speak of His holiness, His righteousness, and His unfailing love, the reality of His nature is impressive, and we stand in awe as we consider it. The Westminster Catechism, a standard instrument for doctrinal training in some Christian bodies, offers this definition of God: God is a spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable, in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth. Whether in formal words such as these, or in less structured ways, we do well to understand and meditate upon the character of God. What is He like? In what ways is He like us, and in what ways infinitely different? Even more to the point, in what ways are we like Him? And is it our desire and deep ambition to grow more and more into a life that is truly in His image as He originally intended? We draw near to Him and get to know Him better as we allow the Scriptures to guide our prayers and learn to use the Word itself as the content of our praying. The following pages will help you take profitable steps on that path. 8

13 Attributes of God He is full of unfailing love. O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. (Psalm 86:5, NLT) He is rich in mercy. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4-5, NIV) He is lavish in grace. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. (Ephesians 1:7-8) He is gentle. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. (Matthew 11:29) He is unchanging, the same yesterday, today and forever. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) His strength is made perfect in our weakness. But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV) The joy of the Lord is our strength. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10, NIV) He can do the impossible. He [Jesus] replied, What is impossible with men is possible with God. (Luke 18:27) 9

14 Attributes of God He welcomes us into His Presence. He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1, NKJV) He protects us. the LORD is going before you, and the God of Israel is your rear guard. (Isaiah 52:12) He is all-knowing. You know when I sit down and when I stand up; You understand my thoughts from far away. You observe my travels and my rest; You are aware of all my ways. (Psalm 139:2-3) He is all-powerful. Ah, Lord GOD! You Yourself made the heavens and earth by Your great power and with Your outstretched arm. (Jeremiah 32:17) He is ever-present. Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? (Psalm 139:7) He is faithful. God is faithful; by Him you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9) He is forgiving. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving. (Daniel 9:9, NIV) He is good. For the LORD is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations. (Psalm 100:5) He is great. Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise. (Psalm 48:1, NIV) 10

15 Attributes of God He is holy. And one called to another: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth. (Isaiah 6:3) He is kind. Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4) He is majestic. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. (Psalm 145:5, NIV) He is patient. The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) He is righteous. The LORD is righteous in all His ways and gracious in all His acts. (Psalm 145:17) He is slow to anger. And he [the LORD] passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. (Exodus 34:6) He is trustworthy. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. (Psalm 9:10, NIV) He is unmovable, unshakable. He alone is my rock and my stronghold; I will not be shaken. (Psalm 62:6) 11

16 Attributes of God He is awesome. Don t be terrified of them, for the LORD your God, a great and awesome God, is among you. (Deuteronomy 7:21) He is amazing. Joshua told the people, Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you. (Joshua 3:5, NIV) He is generous. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17, NIV) He encourages us. But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. (Psalm 3:3, NIV) He is compassionate Jesus called his disciples to him and said, I have compassion for these people. (Matthew 15:32, NIV) He is perfect in knowledge. Do you understand how the clouds float, those wonderful works of Him who has perfect knowledge? (Job 37:16) He works wonders. O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. (Psalm 40:5) He is glorious. To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 24, NIV) 12

17 Praying the Attributes of God This is necessarily a limited list of the attributes of God, verses which reveal some of His nature and character, helping us to understand what He is like. The more that you pray these verses and their truths, the more you will remember them, and they ll become a natural part of your personal prayers. Here are some suggestions for prayer: 1. Pray through one or more of these Scriptures as a prayer of praise and thanksgiving, such as: Father, I praise You for Your abounding love. Thank You for the ways You have shown Your love to me. [Pause and reflect on the many ways God has shown you His love. As one comes to mind, thank Him specifically. These may be things that are hugely important, such as the love that sent Jesus to the cross. Or, they may be the little things that show you how dear you are to Him a lost item He helped you find, a beautiful sunset.] 2. Pray through one or more pages of these Scriptures as an encouraging affirmation. Read each verse and affirm it in prayer: Father, great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Thank You for your great love. Jesus You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. We can rest in that truth! Thank You, Lord, that Your grace is sufficient for me, that Your power is made perfect in my weakness. You are a such a strong and powerful God! 3. Simply pray through the titles given to each verse: Father, thank You that You are abounding in love, rich in mercy, lavish in grace, that You are faithful, unchangeable, and strong! 13

18 God s Promises Revealing How He Works The names and attributes of God help us to know Him better - ways that He wants us to know Him, and realities concerning who He is and what He is like. As we better understand these things, using the truths we find in the Bible and turning those into prayers that honor Him and show both our respect and our submission, we engage in the kind of praying that pleases Him and brings His results. Through the many promises of Scripture, God is revealing some of the ways in which He works. For instance, this promise is particularly relevant when we consider praying Scripture: This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us whatever we ask we know that we have what we asked of him. (1 John 5:14-15 NIV) Those verses from 1 John 5 represent one of God's rich and glorious promises. We know that we have what we asked of him! When we ask from a biblical perspective, using His own Word and words, we have His assurance that He hears and answers. His Word is His will! But this is just one of many promises. From the beginning of time, He has made promises concerning what He will do as we His people obey and submit and seek His face. On the following pages are just a few of the many promises and precepts in which Scripture declares what God will do to bless, to encourage, to deliver...and, in ways that only He can do, enable our part in the doing of His perfect will. 14

19 Promises No one can snatch us out of His hand. I [Jesus] give them eternal life, and they will never perish ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father s hand. (John 10:28-29) No one can separate us from His love. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord! (Romans 8:38-39) His love is everlasting. The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3) He hears our prayers. All humanity will come to You, the One who hears prayer. (Psalm 65:2) His mercies are new every day. Because of the LORD s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! (Lamentations 3:22-23) He died once for all. For in that He died, He died to sin once for all; but in that He lives, He lives to God. (Romans 6:20-11) He forgives and forgets our sins. It is I who sweep away your transgressions for My own sake and remember your sins no more. (Isaiah 43:25) He strengthens us. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) He will draw near to us. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8) 15

20 Promises We can recognize His voice. When he has brought all his own outside, he goes ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they recognize his voice. (John 10:4) He meets our needs, when we seek Him and His righteousness. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. (Matthew 6:33, see also vv.25-32) We can find Him, when we seek Him with all our heart. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13) Those who seek Him will lack no good thing. Young lions lack food and go hungry, but those who seek the LORD will not lack any good thing. (Psalm 34:10) He has a plan and purpose for our lives. For I know the plans I have for you this is the LORD s declaration plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) He rewards those who spend time in private prayer with Him. But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:6, NIV) He rewards those who seek Him. Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6) He empowers the weak. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. (Isaiah 40:29) He gives us rest when we are weary. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28) 16

21 Promises He watches over us. The Lord watches over you. The Lord will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life. (Psalm 121:5, 7 NIV) He gives wisdom when we ask without doubt. Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting. (James 1:5-6) He provides a way of escape from temptation. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape. (1 Corinthians 10:13) He has prepared good works for us to do. For we are God s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10, NIV) He does what He says. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do. (Isaiah 46:11, NIV) There is no condemnation in Christ. Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1) When we abide in Christ, we will bear much fruit. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. (John 15:5) When we tithe, He pours out many blessings. Bring the full 10 percent into the storehouse so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this way, says the LORD of Hosts. See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure. (Malachi 3:10) 17

22 Promises He will strengthen and protect us from the evil one. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3, NIV) When we give, we will receive. Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (Luke 6:38) He gives us the desires of our heart. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4, NIV) He makes our plans succeed. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3, NIV) He directs our path. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6, NLT) He instructs us. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:8, NIV) He will never leave us. Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5) He will complete the work He has begun in us. I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6) He enables us to carry out His good purpose. For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to will and to act for His good purpose. (Philippians 2:13) 18

23 Praying the Promises of God Consider the context. As we pray the promises of God, we must consider them in the context of the passage of Scripture in which they appear, as well as in the context of the whole truth of the Bible. This means that we must realize there is a relationship between the life we are living for Christ and His promises. God is our heavenly Father, and He is no more likely to reward a disobedient child that a responsible earthly father would be. It makes sense, then, to include the way we or those we are praying for are living in our prayers. For example: Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4, NIV) Our prayer might be Father help us all to delight ourselves in You, to spend time with You in prayer and in Your Word so that we can get to know You. As we walk with You, as we enjoy our relationship with You, make the desires of our hearts the same as Your desires. Give us the desires of our hearts. Praise God for His Promises. Pray the Scripture, thanking God that He has given us His promises in the Bible, that He is faithful to His promises, that all His promises are yes in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). Pray the promises for yourself or for others. Every promise can be prayed for yourself or for one or more individuals. When you have a specific concern or need in mind, find a promise that fits the need. Keep your own list of promises in addition to the ones given here. You might also pray through the entire list of promises for one person, such as Father, help (Ron) to live so that he is trusting You to direct his path and to give him the instruction he needs from You. Assure him that You will never leave him, that You have begun a good work in him and You will complete it! 19

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