attributes of God Archives

What would someone believe about God if all they knew about Him was what they learned from your prayer life?

This question posed by our pastor today has got me thinking. If someone could witness your prayer life, would they think . . .

God must require them to say these words every day so they can check that off their list.

Her God must not be too powerful, if this is all she’s asking for.

Is this God a short-order cook? She calls Him “Father” but then talks to Him like she’s placing a fast-food order.

It doesn’t seem like God has done anything for her before, why does she think He will do something now?

This God must either not exist or not be too important if this is all the praying she does.

OR . . .

This God is deserving of worship and adoration for all His wonderful attributes and promises. He is good, and He has done marvelous things.

This God has saved her and given her all good gifts.

This God has done so much for her that she can’t stop thanking Him.

This God must be holy–she needs to confess her sin before Him.

I can’t believe she has the nerve to ask for THAT! This must be one powerful God. She must think He is actually in control and able to do that.

She loves so many people enough to pray for them regularly, and she believes God can and will help them.

This God truly is her Father. I can tell by the way she is pouring out her heart to Him.

Did she just thank Him in the midst of her trial? This God gives trials and uses them for good? She’s still praising Him–He must truly be a good and faithful God.

I know what I believe about God: that He is my holy, almighty Father, who gave His Son for salvation and has given me so many undeserved gifts that there is not time in the day to thank Him for all of them. He is all-powerful, faithful and good, and He cares deeply for me. All of my days and all of my loved ones are in His hands. So why doesn’t my prayer life reflect that?

Our pastor said this morning that prayer is hard. Not a very pastor-like thing to say, if you ask me. But I’m glad he said it, because it is true. Prayer is a privilege, but it is also a discipline. It takes practice and time and effort.

I want the Lord to be glorified by the way I talk to Him, even when no one else is listening or watching, simply because of who He is and what He has done. He is worthy of our praise, confession, thanksgiving and petitions. As I can remember my Grandma Coomber singing: what a friend we have in Jesus, and what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.

“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

Words by Joseph M. Scriven

What a friend we have in Jesus,

all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

all because we do not carry

everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;

take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful

who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,

cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge;

take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In his arms he’ll take and shield thee;

thou wilt find a solace there.

This summer I studied the attributes of God with a wonderful group of women using Behold Your God, by Myra Alexander. (I highly, highly recommend this study.) It amazes me how God ordained the events of the summer of 2009 for me and for my family, and He knew exactly what I would need to learn about Him in the midst of those circumstances. He knows our every need and provides for them all!

One thing that stood out to me from the study is the nature of God’s love toward us. God is perfectly loving and good, and He also does not and cannot change. (See Jeremiah 31:3 and Malachi 3:6). That means that God’s love for you is always exactly the same. He is just as good to you today as the day He nailed your sin to the cross with His Son. It is easy to flippantly say, “God is good all the time.” But honestly, it feels like there are some days that God’s goodness is a little less prevalent in our lives. With our narrow vision, with our earthly perspective of what is and isn’t good, God’s goodness seems to vary.

But when God tells us about Himself in Malachi 3:6, He says He does not change. His goodness does not waver. Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus–His perfect, steadfast, unchanging love.

I thought of this today as I was singing “How Deep The Father’s Love For Us.” This is one of my all-time favorite songs. It is a powerful reminder of the love God showed when He turned His face away from his dying Son in order to transform rebellious people like me into His sons and daughters. And He shows me this exact same love and goodness every day of my life. He is just as loving today as on the day He set me free from sin, guilt, death and hell. Praise Him for this wonderful truth!

“How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”

Words and Music by Stuart Townend

How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure,

that He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure.

How great the pain of searing loss, the Father turns His face away,

as wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon the cross, my sin upon His shoulders;

ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished;

His dying breath has brought me life–I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom;

but I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer,

But this I know with all my heart; His wounds have paid my ransom.