Earlier this week, my wife called me “hun.” She quickly added, “I don’t know why I called you that. I never call you that.” It’s true. It might have been the first time that she’s ever called me “hun” in our married life. But it was meaningful. It made me feel good. Most of us have things that we usually call our loved ones, such as “sweetheart” or “babe.” But once in a while, it can be meaningful to mix it up: “my love,” “darling,” or “hun.”
The same is true in our relationship with God. Many of us address God in the same way every time that we pray, such as “Heavenly Father.” This is appropriate, since Jesus taught us to pray, “Our Father in heaven.” But we also see God addressed in many other ways in the New and Old Testaments, and throughout church history. From time to time, consider addressing God in a different way in your prayers. It’s especially fitting to address God in a way that relates to the prayer that you are offering. For example, if you are praying for the salvation of a hardhearted person, it’s fitting to pray, “God of mercy and power.” Here are a few suggestions:
- Our Father in heaven, …
- Heavenly Father, …
- Most loving Father, …
- Almighty Father, …
- Gracious and everliving Father, …
- Gracious and holy Father, …
- Gracious God and most merciful Father, …
- O Lord God, King of the Universe, …
- O merciful Creator, …
- O God, the Creator of all, …
- O God of peace, …
- O God, my light and my salvation, …
- O Father of lights, …
- Almighty God, …
- Almighty God our Savior, …
- Almighty and everlasting God, …
- Almighty and merciful God, …
- Almighty God, giver of every good gift, …
- Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth, …
- Almighty and immortal God, giver of life and health, …
- Eternal God, …
- O Judge of all nations, …
- O King and Judge of the nations, …
- O Lord our Governor, …
- O God, the fountain of wisdom, …
- O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, …
- O God of unchangeable power and eternal light, …
- O God, the King of glory, …
- O God, our refuge and strength, …
- O God of our fathers, …
- O Holy One of Israel, …
- O Lord of lords and King of kings, …
- O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace, …
- O glorious Lord, …
- Lord of all power and might, …
- Lord of all power and mercy, …
- Blessed Lord, …
- Dear Jesus, …
- Lord Jesus Christ, …
- Precious Savior, …
- O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful, …
