How I Pray The Names Of God

This is how I include the names of God in my prayer life with 29 names of God, Scripture references, and situations when you may lean into each name to strengthen your faith and relationship with the Lord.

Every morning, before the demands of the day start pressing in, I open my journal and write.

Most days, I go through a similar structure with certain prompts for my prayer journaling. 

On my overwhelmed days, I just brain-dump all of my thoughts on paper and gradually turn them into prayers as I untangle them. 

On mornings when my emotions are running high, I ignore my normal prompts, pour out my heart, and share my emotions and process them with the Lord.

But one of my favorite things to do is to write one of the names of God—just one—on the top of the page. I start by writing the name and then the meaning underneath, declaring its Truth to myself. Then I will often write names of people in my life who I know are struggling with similar things as I pray for them one by one. 

This small act sets the tone for my quiet time, shifting my gaze from my circumstances to His character.

How I started praying the names of God

I started this practice during a particularly difficult and very very long season of insomnia,  desperate for the Lord’s healing. 

I was obviously physically exhausted after so many sleepless nights while raising two little boys, but I was also spiritually exhausted from praying and believing and hoping without relief.

I was mentally exhausted from the endless decisions you have to make with chronic illness, deciding and re-deciding your next best path forward with medical tests, medications, and supplements.

And I was emotionally exhausted from the dread, fear, overwhelm, worry, and stress.

I needed healing on so many levels..so much more than a doctor could offer. 

One morning, I wrote the name “Jehovah-Rapha” in my journal.

Jehovah-Rapha: The Lord who heals.

My pastor recently talked about the importance of church, not just for community, but just as a regular reminder of so many of the things we know are true in Scripture, but we just forget in the rhythms of life.

Writing this name of God was not only a declaration of Truth, but also a very needed reminder to myself that God is in this with me.

He is my Healer. 

Not just in the vague, general sense, but personally—intimately. He sees my sleepless nights. He knows my racing thoughts. He cares about my weary heart. And He is more than able to bring healing in His perfect way and time. 

That morning started a trend of praying differently. Instead of just focusing on the problem, I shifted my eyes away from my circumstance and fixed my eyes on Him. Instead of just presenting my struggle, I worshiped Him for His faithfulness.

Day after day, I continued to write “Jehovah-Rapha” at the top of my page. And something unexpected happened—my prayers deepened. My approach shifted.

I wasn’t just praying for my own healing anymore. I found myself thinking of others who needed God’s healing, too. A dear friend battling chronic pain. A family member recovering from surgery. A child facing an uncertain diagnosis. A dad from my son’s speech sessions struggling with PTSD, 

The list grew, and soon, I had eight names written beneath my own, each one representing someone. I’ve prayed for them every morning for months now.

But more than just remembering their struggles, I was remembering who God is. My prayers grew bolder. When I focus on the names of God, I’m not just focusing on healing—I’m focusing on the One who heals. 

My faith deepens as I remind myself of His power and goodness. He shines light on the fears and worries that grow during dark, sleepless nights. My heart shifts from fear to trust, from anxiety to peace when I continue to read Bible verses of His sovereignty and faithfulness.

Praying the names of God has become such a special habit to me, growing my intimate connection with the Lord. 

On days when I feel weak, I write “El Shaddai”—God Almighty—and I remember that His strength is enough for me. 

When I feel lost or uncertain, I write “Jehovah-Rohi”—the Lord my Shepherd—and I remember that He is guiding me like in Psalm 23, even when I can’t see the way. 

When I feel overwhelmed, I write “Jehovah-Shalom”—the Lord is Peace—and I take a deep breath, resting in His presence.

This practice has changed the way I see my struggles. 

It’s so easy to get caught up in the chaos of life—the unanswered prayers, the disappointments, the worries that creep in before we even realize they’ve taken hold.

 But when I regularly choose to focus on who God is instead of what I’m facing, my perspective shifts. 

Instead of dwelling on what I lack, I remember His abundance. Instead of feeling alone, I remember He is always with me. Instead of being consumed by my struggles, I am anchored in His truth.

• Some mornings, my prayers pour out in long, tearful journal entries.
• Other mornings, they are just a few whispered words, offered with a weary heart and very limited brainpower.
• Some days they are full of gratitude and joy.

But writing out, declaring, and praying the names of God never returns void. Because no matter what the day ahead holds, I know who my God is. And that changes everything.

If you’re walking through a hard season—if you’re struggling with something that feels too big, too heavy, or too overwhelming—can I encourage you to try this? 

Just pick one name of God. Write it down. Let it be the foundation of your prayer. Speak it over your situation. Let it shift your focus from the weight of your struggle to the greatness of your God.

Because He is faithful. He is powerful. He is enough. And He is exactly who you need Him to be, right in this moment.

Phil Wickham also has an amazing song called 1,000 Names that I use to sing the names of God, too!

Some of the names of God I pray (and when)

Here are 29 names of God I pray and situations, Scripture references for each, and examples of situations when you might lean into each one.

• Jehovah-Rapha – The Lord Who Heals (Exodus 15:26) – When you or a loved one need physical, emotional, or spiritual healing.
• Jehovah-Jireh – The Lord Will Provide (Genesis 22:14) – When you are facing financial struggles, uncertainty, or lack.
• Jehovah-Shalom – The Lord is Peace (Judges 6:24) – When anxiety, fear, or stress feel overwhelming.
• Jehovah-Rohi – The Lord is My Shepherd (Psalm 23:1) – When you feel lost, uncertain, or in need of guidance.
• El Shaddai – God Almighty (Genesis 17:1-2) – When you feel weak and need to rely on His strength.
• Jehovah-Nissi – The Lord is My Banner (Exodus 17:15) – When you are in a battle—spiritually, emotionally, or physically—and need His victory.
• Jehovah-Tsidkenu – The Lord Our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6) – When you are struggling with sin, guilt, or shame and need His forgiveness and cleansing.
• Jehovah-Shammah – The Lord is There (Ezekiel 48:35) – When you feel lonely, abandoned, or distant from God.
• El Roi – The God Who Sees Me (Genesis 16:13) – When you feel unseen, forgotten, or unheard.
• Jehovah-Mekoddishkem – The Lord Who Sanctifies You (Leviticus 20:8) – When you are growing in faith and seeking to become more like Christ.
• Jehovah-Sabaoth – The Lord of Hosts (Psalm 46:7) – When you feel like you’re in a spiritual battle and need to remember that God commands heaven’s armies.
• Jehovah-Elyon – The Lord Most High (Psalm 97:9) – When you need to remember that God is sovereign and above all things.
• El Olam – The Everlasting God (Isaiah 40:28) – When you need to trust in God’s unchanging nature and eternal faithfulness.
• Jehovah-Go’el – The Lord My Redeemer (Isaiah 49:26) – When you need to remember that God has rescued and redeemed you.
• Jehovah-Chesed – The Lord of Lovingkindness (Psalm 136:26) – When you need a reminder of God’s steadfast love and mercy.
• Jehovah-Qanna – The Lord is Jealous (Exodus 34:14) – When you are tempted to put other things before God and need to refocus on Him.
• Jehovah-Emunah – The Lord is Faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9) – When you need to be reminded that God always keeps His promises.
• Jehovah-Or – The Lord is Light (Psalm 27:1) – When you feel surrounded by darkness and need His truth to guide you.
• El Gibbor – Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6) – When you feel powerless and need to rest in His mighty strength.
• Abba – Father (Romans 8:15) – When you need the tender love, care, and protection of a good and perfect Father.
• Adonai – Lord, Master (Psalm 8:1) – When you need to surrender control and trust in God’s authority over your life.
• El Elyon – The Most High God (Daniel 4:2) – When you need to remember that God is above all earthly powers and circumstances.
• Jehovah-Hoseenu – The Lord Our Maker (Psalm 95:6) – When you need to remember that you are created with purpose and intention.
• Jehovah-Magen – The Lord Our Shield (Psalm 3:3) – When you need protection and refuge from life’s attacks.
• Emmanuel – God With Us (Matthew 1:23) – When you feel alone, abandoned, or need reassurance that God is present in every moment.
• Jehovah-Hashopet – The Lord the Judge (Judges 11:27) – When you need to trust in God’s justice and righteousness.
• Jehovah-Zur – The Lord My Rock (Psalm 18:2) – When you need stability and strength in uncertain times.
• Jehovah-Bore – The Lord Creator (Isaiah 40:28) – When you need to remember that the One who created the universe also created and cares for you.
• Jehovah-Keren-Yishi – The Lord the Horn of My Salvation (Psalm 18:2) – When you need strength and deliverance in times of trouble.

Each of these names reveals a beautiful aspect of God’s character. No matter what you are facing today, He is more than enough. Let His name be the foundation of your prayers, and watch how He meets you in your need.