In this reading plan, we are learning more about God by studying the names given to Him in Scripture. Each day, you’ll come here to read the description of the name we’re studying today and a brief explanation of how God’s character is seen through His name. (Remember that because the Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek, some of God’s names are written in the English form of His name from their original language.) You can then head to today’s passages to see how this name functions in Scripture.
YAHWEH: The name God gives Himself, highlighting His covenantal and relational nature
Yahweh is a profoundly holy name, but it is also unmistakably personal. Yahweh is distinct from other names of God because it is self-revealed. It is the intimate, covenantal, relational name of God. Modern English translations of the Bible often use small capital letters (LORD or GOD) for Yahweh.
When Moses asked God for His name in Exodus 3, God revealed Himself as “I Am Who I Am” and then called Himself Yahweh. In Exodus 34, again God proclaimed His name as He described His character to Moses. Scholars are divided on the meaning of Yahweh, but likely options are that it is a reference to God’s eternal nature or to God as the creator of all things. His name is a core part of the covenantal promise He made with Moses—Yahweh will always be who He is.
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153 thoughts on "Yahweh"
A pastor once preached on this and he presented the original Hebrew of Yahweh. He said that in the Hebrew there are no vowels. So there is no tonal sounds when calling Yahweh. So when calling to God is really sounds like an inhale and then an exhale. The Lord really said “Let everything that has breath praise His name.” Our very nature proclaims the name God always.
Amen
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Love love love!
The God Who was, Who is, & Who will always be. The God Whose existence & character rests solely upon Himself.
Amen
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He is a God of covenant! his character is trustworthy
Amen!
Yahweh – my God eternal
Hello everyone/ this teaching is great !!
I’m glad we started with this. I’ve heard of YAHWEH but never understood where it came from or what it meant. My LORD ❤️
Thank you for this explanation/ clarification of Yahweh. I was not aware of the true meaning of this name of God. Yahweh, My Lord and savior, I praise you!
Yahweh. My Lord!
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen!
Amen
Amen❤️
God is Personal and intimate with us by giving His name, YAHWEH. He wants us to have that personal and intimate relationship with him. No other gods or idols can do and be what YAHWEH is to us. God looks down at us, he feels what we feel, he cares, loves, teaches, disciplines and rescues us. No other gods or idol is capable of this kind of love.
We can have confidence that God is and always will be because of YAHWEH. No other “god” or “idol” can provide consistency and assurance, nor are creator. I can have confidence and rely on him because he is YAHWEH
Yahweh, he is the same God yesterday today and forever! There is non-like him, and there will never be. He is our eternal father. He is self existent.Alpha and Omega the beginning in the end. I pray that God grants what is needed for everyone and I pray that God will strengthen our relationship with him each and every day. Amen
I opened this plan after learning of a sister that has once again decided to not speak to me, out of nowhere. These passages reminded me of how God will be who he is and fulfill his promises, and deliver my family from these difficult relationships.
That is a deep grief. I, too, turn to scripture when I need something to lash my heart to. Heb 11:1 says faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we cannot see. I will pray for that hope, for you, today.
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Amen. Yahweh
Love this. Amen!
Amen. Beautiful reading as always
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Yahweh! GOD! I AM THAT I AM.
Most Holy
Thank you for being always and forever there and with me through every battle reminding me that you have the power!!! YAHWEH THE MOST HIGH!!
It’s 11 pm but I’m to excited to sleep. My granddaughter sent me a voice text to tell me she bec a Christian today. She is 7 years old. Yahweh is the God of my salvation.THE GREAT I AM. Yahweh is so good
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Wonderful news..♥️
Rejoicing with you
Awe! Praise the Lord!❤️
Praising God with you!!
Such wonderful news Sandy! God bless your sweet granddaughter.
Praise the Lord!!
❤️ Who needs sleep after news like that?!? ❤️ God bless
“I AM” means God exists outside of time. He’s not “I was” or “I will be.” He is. Always. That means He’s with me right now, as present today as He was in the days of Abraham or Moses. He is the same God throughout all generations. I can trust Him to be consistent, faithful, and dependable. Because He is always present, God sees the whole picture of my life. I can rest in His wisdom and timing.❤️
God exists outside of time, I like this wording. Thank you for putting it into words/phrasing. I understood this as I AM is present tense, constant never changing but had not thought of it relating to time.
God is outside of time,but inside of eternity.
♥️ this..
I know many sisters here have prodigals, and many prayers have been prayed. Was listening to a podcast today. (Imagine that!) If you go to marydumuth dot com slash lpl, you can sign up for a free ebook that has a prayer for each week of the year.
As we start this study, I think of you, Tanya, and your posts and how God is addressed.
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Was thinking of you and praying all morning, Mari. My prayers were especially for peace. About to read through the comments and will see if there are any updates.
Yahweh. His covennantal promise. I might fail me but God does not. He calls me higher
God’s covenants are amazing
I am confused, it does not say Yawheh in the scripture you provided.
Claudia, the name Yahweh comes from the Hebrew word for I AM.
That’s because it is written “LORD” in most English translations. This is explained further in the podcast.
Good morning, She’s! It’s Monday, or almost midday here in California. Such a beautiful day the Lord has given us. Only He could create such a perfect weather. Truly a gift.
I always get emotional, if not extremely so, when I do a study of God’s names in Scriptures. Perhaps because I cannot fathom His holiness and greatness! I am so humbled that I get to worship God, the All-sufficient One. No other. My prayer is that, even when my mind is prone to wander, His Hands will guide me back to home to Him.
Have a wonderful week studying the Names of our God.
❤️I very much feel heightened emotion as well. I think its just stems from a deep, humble reverence
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Good morning shes. I started this day praying over the requests and my heart was grieving over your troubles. Some day it is just so hard. May the Lord be with us and strengthen us that we can “hold up” the arms of our sisters in through their battles like Arron and Hur helped Moses (great victory at the end, but not easy). I wanted to share some points that stood out to me, and also some knots too.
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1.Psalm 15:4a: “in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord”. Some conflicting thoughts came up and I found some clarity by God’s grace. My first thought: “are we supposed to despise vile people?”, seems strange when Jesus said, “love your enemies”. Despise means to regard with contempt, to consider unworthy of honor. A vile person (some translations: reprobate, despicable) refers to someone actively rejects God’s ways, unrepentantly evil. This verse is not a call to hate, but to reject the values, the influence, and the honor of wickedness. “Despising a vile person”= not admiring, imitating, or praising someone who lives wickedly, even if they are popular. This is about our value system, not hatred. Love righteousness enough to draw a clear line. We don’t call evil “good”, don’t support it, even if it’s so famous, trendy and celebrated by culture. How to live this out? A balanced application is to show mercy to the lost, but don’t follow or flatter the opposing values against God in the vile people.
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2.Psalm 15:4b: “who swears to his own hurt and does not change”. Again another conflicting thought popped up lol. Are we called to change constantly to the image of Christ? So “Does not change” here, in what sense? “does not change” refers to moral consistency, to being unchanging in moral commitments, especially when making commitments to God, and to others, don’t break a commitment when it’s hard, don’t shift our words, it’s about being reliable and trustworthy. Make a vow to God and follow through. We humans are of course called to change from sinful to Christlike, absolutely every day, to conform to Jesus. But don’t change when it comes to integrity, truthfulness, faithfulness, righteousness. Hold fast.
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These are some of the fine tuning for my better understanding I wanted to share in case your thoughts also played with you. BUT GOD, His words are tried and true.
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Have a wonderful week ahead dear sisters. Praying God’s strength and blessings over you so your days are filled with new hope, new joy and new mercies. May we be filled with courage to face the unknown and the wisdom to make godly choices. Hugs and love to you all.
I did think the same as you about 15.4a..so glad you explained it the way you did!
Amenn ❤️
So good, Mercy. Thank you. ❤️
Thank you, Mercy. ♥️
I have been listening to Jewish Christian music and find myself using Adonai for God and Yeshua for Jesus. There’s a reverence in the old names.
I don’t know where you all live, but stay cool. Blessings on your day.
95 degrees in vermont today. Too hot for me
I am really excited about this devotional series!
God not only wanted Moses to know His name, but He wanted Him to know His character.
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I AM → The LORD → YAWEH
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Who is → compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness.
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The same God → yesterday and forever.
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My God, your God → Abba, Father.
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Father God, thank you for revealing Yourself to us. For sharing with us Your name, for letting us know your character. Thank you for who You are and for what You do and for including us in Your story. We are forever grateful. All praise and glory to You. May each of us reflect the light of Your love to all we meet.
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@Traci Gendron – I am so sorry for your losses. That is a lot of sorrow in such a short span. Praying God’s peace and comfort for you, your husband and his remaining family.
@Mari – praying for your court date.
@Linda in NC – praying God’s strength and relief from pain as you care for Gene.
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Happy Monday She’s. Blessed to be doing this study with you all! ❤️
I AM goes before me today. Thank you all who are and have been praying. Today’s court is to compel the judge to make the respondent give me what was owed to me 5 years ago when legal separation was granted. There is more, but too much to explain. I’m feeling strong because I know you are all praying.
Praying for you today Mari V! ❤️
Praying!
Praying for you as you go to court today♥️
Praying for you today ❤️
Praying Mari. May the Lord grant you favor and great strength.
You are in my prayers Mari..♥️
Thank you all for your prayers. You all mean the world to me.
Hugs and prayers. And to Tom.
Yes – hugs and prayers for you both. ❤️
Praying for you and Tom, Traci. ❤️
Praying for strength and comfort over you and Tom’s family, and praying for good rest and the opportunity to be back home soon. My deepest condolences. Hugs sister.
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Continued prayersof comfort and peace Traci, for both yourself and Tom..♥️
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R
I am who I am. Can I say this about myself? Am I unchanging, faithful, loyal, loving? What a wonderful God we have knowing He is all this and so much more. He is my King and Savior.
It’s amazing. This most intimate name of God could not even be spoken aloud by the Jews.
Then Jesus came.
The veil was torn.
And this name of His that encompasses everything He is, was, and always will be is now ours to use on a deeply, intimate and personal level.
If He cares even for the sparrows, how much more He cares for us indeed.
YES…Amen!!
God’s covenants are amazing can you imagine
Can you imagine that veil being torn in two
Amen..♥️
Names are such a meaningful and powerful thing. When we hear of the birth of a precious baby, most often our first question is, “What is her/his name?” We want to know how to identify them, how they will be addressed. And, also quite often parents will share why they choose it and the meaning and root behind it which can shed light on familial connections, characteristics they hope the child will possess etc. Names are just so meaningful.
And when it comes to our Lord, it is all the more so even though it is hard to sum up and put into words who He truly is. We read all throughout scripture of the I AM statements and like Tanya and Searching mentioned, I love them too. To me they are just a very powerful, direct, pointed reminder that God is ________. We can fill in the blank to be whatever we need Him to be at every given moment because He is everything we need Him to be in the holiest most reverent, of ways; His supremacy has not limit.
“I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.” Isa 42:8
Thank you LORD that you are the great I AM. We honor, praise and worship your Holy name. Amen
The song Your Great Name by Natalie Grant comes to mind.
Mari, praying for you today❤️
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Also want to add as I often do, the podcast is really so insightful and beneficial. A wealth of great, additional teaching :)
Amen..♥️
Amen
The completeness of the name struck me most this morning. He is everything. I AM who I AM. Not who you think or want me to be but who you need me to be at all times and places.
Love this!!
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I Am who I AM! The Lord your God! Creator of Heaven and Earth, and all the oceans and wind that moves. The creator of every human being and the animals of the air and land and sea! To every thing in nature. The Redwood trees to the tiny three leave clover. It all is in unison. And the mighty volcanoes, hurricanes, and tornado, to the sunshine on my face and the sunset that amazes many on the beach at night.
We could talk about his greatness and mightiness for a long time! That is why we start our prayers like this! It reminds us of WHO He is, and yet, he loves a wretched creature like me, who He formed and knit together in the womb. All the intricacies of my being, all working together with the breath in my lungs! It really puts our perspective back on his Majesty. He can do anything….yet Moses had to do a lot to lead the people away from Egypt. (God could have just destroyed them in an instant, right?) Abraham had to climb up the mountain. Every story…is hard, action, work on our part. It is patience, endurance, listening to our Father. Waiting, aligning, petitioning, and growing all the while.
He is good, slow to anger, wanting none to perish….but wanting us to know who He is. And without him, we can do nothing. He allows it all to be. Working ALL things, the great big puzzle, and we are working the puzzle pieces around us with his help.
Oh, to be aligned with him, and empowered with His Spirit!! Right IN US!! How astounding and amazing!! The Great I AM, puts the Holy Spirit in those that call on the name of Jesus!! Apart from Him- nothing. Through Him…I can do all things! Let’s not forget that today, tomorrow, next week. We can’t get through without our gracious, merciful God! Graceful God. Thank you for loving us, and wanting relationship with us! It is not a religion, it is knowing you and who You are! The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! And if we aren’t reading the old Testament, where it begins, we are missing the whole. (I know so many people that only study the new!) The last study has been one of my favorites in all these years with SRT!!
I wanted to know more on that last scripture because many religions believe Jesus as Son but not Divinity and this is how it explained what Jesus was saying.
58. Before Abraham was, I am—The words rendered “was” and “am” are quite different. The one clause means, “Abraham was brought into being”; the other, “I exist.” The statement therefore is not that Christ came into existence before Abraham did (as Arians affirm is the meaning), but that He never came into being at all, but existed before Abraham had a being; in other words, existed before creation, or eternally (as Jn 1:1). In that sense the Jews plainly understood Him, since “then took they up stones to cast at Him,” just as they had before done when they saw that He made Himself equal with God (Jn 5:18).
I love the I AM statements of Jesus because here we have the Father/ Son relational link.The divine connectedness:”I AM the Light of the world. I AM the Alpha and the Omega,I AM the way, the truth, and the life, I AM the resurrection. Whoever G-d is and was is who He will always be.
To me the I AM statement G-d made to Moses is like a blank check. (No irreverence meant). He is who we need Him to be whatever situation we are in. Sometimes we need Him to be a rock,sometimes we need Him to our peace.
The Hebrew word is “Ehyeh Who Ehyeh.”I AM that I AM
Side note: When I am in Torah Study and we come to YHWH/ YAHWEH,we don’t say this out of awe and reverential respect. We say, Adonai, Adonoy,or Hashem (The Name).
I love verse 22-23:The Lord- the Lord is compassionate,and gracious and abounding in faithful love and truth,maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin…
I just all of the characteristics of Jesus here. Many times, the scriptures say Jesus was moved with compassion and he acted.
So good. Thank you for your insights!
Thank you, Tanya, that was a beautiful and for me wonderful new understanding of Yahweh.
Tanya, thank you for sharing your wisdom. The podcast this week refers to what you mentioned about not saying YHWH.:)
I didn’t hear that podcast until later in the day. I am glad he mentioned that. This is in all demoninations of Judaism. It doesn’t matter if you are Reform, Conservative , Modern Orthodox, Orthodox, Ultra Orthodox, or Ultra Ultra Orthodox.
Amen..and thank you Tanya..♥️
Throughout the entire Bible we know how important a person’s name is to God. He calls certain people directly by their name. He changes a person’s name to greater reflect the work of the person’s call. So the fact that he also chooses to reveal his own name to us is a beautiful sharing of that desire He has to be truly known by us.
Love this, Karen♥️
Thankful for a personal God who wants to have a deep and intimate relationship with each one of us.
I’m sad to return to work today, but praying for the strength to love and care for my patients well. Lifting up the prayer requests especially Mari V and court today, Aleida and Victor, and Traci Gendron ❤️
I hope to be back here with you all again soon! Thank you for your prayers ❤️
To me, the most impactful words in the Bible: I AM WHO I AM. I can nearly feel the earth tremble and I’m teary eyed when I read them.
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The plan text says “scholars are divided on the meaning of Yahweh” and when I read that, I’m not surprised. When I hear the name of someone I know well and think about them, really think about them, there is so much to the person that I couldn’t begin to describe them and cover everything I know. And in truth, we never know everything about anyone, not even ourselves. Not a problem for Almighty God.
The name God called Himself, Yahweh, surely encompasses all of who He is, and there’s no way we or any scholars can comprehend the completeness of Him.
Just my 2 cents.
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Praying for my sisters here feeling tired, worn out, losing patience. Let’s lean on and look to the Lord for the strength we need for today.
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BG verse today Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
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TRACI GENDRON – praying, sister, as Tom and you are facing/feeling sorrow upon sorrow. You have been missed ❤️
MARI V – praying for today’s court date
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Prayer request for safe travels for a friend on the road for the next week or so.
I am what I am. Powerful and foundational.
I just do think we have the depth of comprehension in our Human head space to really understand who G-d is. That is why we need revelations from the Holy Spirit.
Loved this insight!! I’ve also heard an interpretation that YHWH is intended to sound like the inhale/exhale sound that we make. Hence the scripture, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:6) We are saying YHWH in simply allowing His breath to fill us with life.
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I like that. Inhale/exhale
Love this, Susan. He gives us breathe, afterall♥️
Amen
Good morning Ladies,
In some of the translations I read this morning, Jehovah replaces Yahweh in these texts. I’m curious about the difference, but don’t have time to do much digging before work and figured one of you Bible scholars would know. Maybe it’s a difference in language….
Sally – this is the beginning of the got questions explanation. To me, the whole article was worth reading (www dot got questions dot org / meaning-of-Yahweh dot html)
“ Yahweh is based on the consonants YHWH, which is one of the names for God used in the Old Testament. In ancient Hebrew, the vowels were not normally written. This would not have been a problem for native speakers and readers. Jehovah is the same name based on the Latin equivalents of the Hebrew letters: JHVH. Jehovah became the English translation of the Latin form of the Hebrew name. For all practical purposes, Jehovah and Yahweh are the simply English and Hebrew pronunciations for God’s name. However, it has become more popular in recent years to use Yahweh instead of Jehovah because it is technically more accurate.
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The name Yahweh comes from the Hebrew word for ‘I Am’ ”
Amen
If you have the study guide there is also an additional great extra on page 24 and 25
I appreciate your explanation and expertise, Searching!
From the print version of this study:
The Hebrew people stopped speaking the name YHWH out loud, out of reverence and in regard to the 3rd commandment. When it was read out loud, they would say adonay (Hebrew for lord). A thousand or so years after the Birth of Christ added vowels to YHWH-the specific vowels found in adonay. English translators then introduced JEHOVAH- a combination of both words.
Hope that helps.
The podcast also talks about this and is very good. Take a listen if you have time this week!
Blessings to all!!❤️
Gosh- if I’d just turned the page!!:)
Thanks so much, Ladies. This was helpful and I will look forward to the podcast. It’s my Friday wind-down companion.
Thanks again and hope all are staying cool.
LORD God,
You see us, you hear us, you know us and your son,Jesus, has come down to rescue us. Thank you for that saving grace that allows us to be your own, who you faithfully love and care for.
Open our eyes to see you in new ways, to love and trust you more, and to seek to follow you and your ways more closely as we draw near and learn more about you in these next three weeks.
Amen❤️
Amen..♥️
Yes,the GREAT I AM…BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS I AM. So profound.
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“The Lord—the Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth, maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin.”
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Yahweh, thank You for being the Great I AM!
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MARI V – Yahweh is with you. Be strong and courageous today. May His peace flood your heart. The battle belongs to the Lord, rest in Him.
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Yahweh, please have mercy on my son, Victor. Please lavish Your faithful, lavish and unfailing love to him. May he feel your presence wherever he is right now and forever. Please forgive his iniquities and rebellion. Take Victor by the hand and guard him, lead him and bless him. There is nothing impossible for you, Yahweh❤️
Precious ALEIDA, I know your heart breaks for Victor. Praying God’s hedge of protection around him and that He will draw Victor to him. ❤️
Yes, Lord, be with Victor. Please persue his heart.
Praying with you, Aleida. Amen. ♥️
Praying, ALEIDA, for Victor’s safety and salvation, for his protection and for his heart and mind to open and grasp the truth and love of God for him, for Victor personally. Praying for you, ALEIDA, for comfort and strength in this hard time of waiting. ❤️
I am so sorry for your aching heart and that it cries out for your son! God certainly hears you dear friend, and we will join you in prayer for your son Victor. We pray Lord you awaken his heart in a powerful way to you Lord, and that he will see your love! That he will come home like the prodigal son and come home to his family. Protect him and most importantly HEAL him, cleanse him from the inside out. You can take away the strongholds Lord, breaking all chains, setting us free! We were once all there, and now we are in your fellowship! We pray that for Victor, we know you have it worked out, in your mighty name, Jesus, thank you for hearing us!
Lord, we join in prayer, adding our voices to our sister as she brings her son Victor’s name and need to you. Do a mighty work in his life Lord. Amen
Amen..
Praying for Victor and for you, Aleida. Yahweh, we trust in your plan. We ask now that you come for the one. Pursue Victor like he’s never been pursued before; wrap him in your Spirit and your love that cannot be described or denied. Bring home the prodigal son. We ask these things by your mercy and in your son’s holy name. Amen.
Aleida, I join with you in your prayer.❤️
Dear ALEIDA, I’m joining you and all our sisters in praying for you and for Victor — Jesus, You are the Victor over death and all the powers that threaten to pull us away from You… Lord, please show up boldly and send Your angels to surround ALEIDA’s son.
(These days, I’m listening to Karen Kingsbury’s “Angels Walking” series of novels while I do housework…it has been a good reminder of the army of heaven for me.)
Also joining in prayers for your Mama heart and for Victor.. for God to show Himself to him and for Victor to take the Lords hand as he leads him, and for him to know internal peace and God’s grace and mercy..
Yahweh, in your mercy, hear our prayers and the cries of mama Aleidas heart..Amen
Praying for Victor❤️
Praying ❤️
Praying for Victor and you and your family ❤️
Joining you in prayer for Victor.
Father, I lift up Victor and Aleida’s family into your mighty hand. We speak healing and freedom over Victor over many oppressions and afflictions he is facing, and freedom for Aleida and her family from the heartaches, and deferred hope. We cover Victor with our prayers. Surely You will cover Victor with Your feathers, and under Your wings he will find refuge, surely You will save him from the fowler’s snares, the deadly pestilence, the terror of the night, and anything that stalks in darkness. Surely You will deliver Victor and honor him. Surely with long life you will satisfy him and show him Your salvation. Strengthen this precious family Lord to go through this valley, and help them to trust in You and proclaim Your promises, and offer the sacrifices of thanksgivings on this journey.
Amen.
Oh, Aleidq, I know your heart is breaking. Continued prayers for you and for Victor. ❤️❤️
Praying for you and Victor! I have a friend whose son had similar issues for many years but she never stopped praying! It’s a long, long story but the final year she was prompted by her pastor to prophetically pray for him which she did. Within the year he was free of his addictions and now years later, is married, serving in the church and even preaches. His testimony is so moving and reaches those that others can’t reach. I am believing that for Victor.
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