Father, thank you for your presence. Behind the intricate lace of bare trees in the predawn light, your beautiful paintings inspire my spirit to gaze in amazement and give you praise. I love that you stretched out the north over the empty place and hung the earth on nothing – filling it with marvelous wonders and amazing abstracts – new ones every day.
I praise you for my journey, never forgetting me, never letting go of my hand. While some valleys have been deep, dark and long, you’ve been my Shepherd, securing my foot from slipping off steep cliffs and rescuing me from the deepest waters, teaching me to swim and rescue others struggling to reach your hand. You’ve been my mentor, my refuge and my strength. You’ve been at my side in times of trouble. You keep reminding me to be still and know that You are God!
Thank you, Lord, that for every need I have, you have a specific, action-intentional name we can call upon for a deeply interactive relationship with you. You are my protector, YHVH Sabaoth, Lord of Warrior Hosts. YHVH Nissi, you defend me in every battle as I praise and lift you up. You are YHVH Raphe, my healer. You are YHVH Jireh, my provider. You are YHVH Rohi, my Shepherd, who makes me lay down in green pastures, leads me beside the quiet waters and restores my soul. You take me by the right hand and lead me on the path of righteousness for YOUR very own name’s sake. You set a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil until my cup runs over. You are YHVH Shalom, my peace. Nothing is too difficult for you.
According to your name, O God, so is your praise to the ends of the earth; your right hand is full of righteousness. You, O Lord, are my God forever and ever.
‘Then they that feared the Lord spoke often one to another and the Lord listened and he heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, said the Lord of hosts.‘ From Malachi 3:16-17
See Also: Names of God