Power of a Praying Woman 10/17/06 9:02 AM Page 31
Lord, Draw Me…
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or understanding of Him. It wasn’t until I received Jesus that I realized exactly how much of a curse word that name was when it was used profanely. Taking God’s name in vain brings a curse on whoever uses it in that manner because it breaks one of the Ten Commandments. “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain” (Exodus 20:7). It also violates God’s greatest commandment, which is “you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). No one who loves God uses His name in vain. However, this same word—“Jesus”—when spoken in love by one who reverences Him, has great power in it. Power to save, deliver, heal, provide, protect, and so much more. Using it profanely shuts off these very things from our lives. There is also great power in each one of God’s names, and when spoken with faith, love, understanding, and reverence, it brings a blessing and increases your faith. For example, God’s name is always a safe place to run to any time you need help. “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10). If you are sick, run to your Healer. If you can’t pay your bills, run to your Provider. If you are afraid, run to your Hiding Place. If you are going through a dark time, run to your Everlasting Light. By speaking His name with reverence and thanksgiving, you invite Him to be that to you. Often there is so much we don’t have in our lives simply because we do not acknowledge God as the answer to that need. How can you be healed if you don’t acknowledge God as the Healer? In the following list of God’s names, I have included only 30. But there are hundreds more in His Word. Though