God And Name Calling In Prayers, Praises And Worship

 

One of the fast-rising teachings among some circles in Nigeria presently is that New Testament believers should not address God by any name other than the Father. That is, when you want to pray, you should only say "our Father" or "my Father."

They say you can't call God anything else during praises, worship or prayers.

I have taken my time to search through the New Testament for a base for this teaching but found none. Neither Jesus nor the apostles taught or implied this in all of their teachings. As a matter of fact, the writers of the New Testament ascribed to God different names at one point or the other.

Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 1:17 called Him several names, not just "the Father".

1Ti 1:17 KJV Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Paul could have easily said, "Now unto the Father (or our Father) be honour and glory for ever and ever." But he didn't. He called Him the King Eternal, the Immortal, the Invisible and finally the Only Wise God!

These were not just ordinary names. They were descriptions of whom he has seen or known God to be based on his individual revelation and God's general revelation of Himself to the church.

In the sixth chapter of the same book, Paul again called Him the Blessed and Only Potentate. The word "Potentate" refers to someone with great authority or power. Paul was just indirectly calling Him the All-Powerful One or Mighty Ruler.

He also went on to call Him the King of kings, and Lord of lords, before describing His splendour in immortality and invisibility.

See the scriptures for yourself below:

1Ti 6:15-16 KJV 15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

In Romans 16:26-27, Paul also called Him the everlasting and only wise God.

These are just a few instances of Paul calling God other names apart from the Father while worshipping, praising or praying to Him.

Apostle Jude in his own writings addressed Him as "Him that is able to keep us from falling", "the Only Wise God" and "Our Saviour".

Jud 1:24-25 KJV 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Apostle John on his part also called Him several names. Including the King of kings, Lord of Lords and so on. (Revelations 19:16)

It's important you know that each of these names was not given to God by Himself. Men like you and I called Him these things based on their revelations or His dealings with them. Just like in the old testament times.

The only difference is that while they called God each of these names, they bear in mind that God by relationship is a Father to them because Jesus has revealed Him as that to us.

It's very important you understand what I just said, so you'd stop being carried about by every wind of irrelevant doctrine. 

God by relationship is a Father to us. That's who He will always be to us. However, as we go through life on this earth, we will encounter some challenges and situations that will make this Father show up and demonstrate His love for us in very powerful and mighty way ways. 

If we, beholding this great display of power, decides to call Him the Mighty One, the Most Powerful or any other name as we worship and praise Him for that intervention on our behalf, we have not committed any scriptural error!

Stop making your worship, praises or relationship with the Father mechanical, where you must constantly watch or mind the words you use rather than focusing on Him and letting your Spirit find expression in His great love.

Come on, if you are moved to call God any name based on His dealings with you or a revelation you've got from the scriptures, go on. As long as you are not calling Him the same names specifically meant for idols or any such thing, please by all means free feel.

Jesus simply came to reveal God to us as our Father in terms of the relationship we have with Him. Not to give us a name that we must call Him in prayer, praises or worship. Focus on what truly matters, your relationship with the Father and your worship.

That is all that truly matters. Nothing else.

I hope this blesses you. To the Only Wise God, the King Eternal, Our Father, be all glory forever!

Amen!