What God do you pray to? Now that may sound like a strange and silly question. After all, we think we know the God we pray to. But do we really? You see, the better we understand the power, majesty, love, grace, and forgiveness of God, the more robust our prayer life becomes. So let's look at one of the most amazing descriptions of Christ that can be found in Scripture. It is from the prophet Isaiah who lived about 750 years before Christ. The prophecy in this verse was referring to Christ and we often hear it read at Christmas season.

For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given,

    and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. — Isaiah 9:6

The four descriptors of Jesus in this verse are some of the most beautiful and meaningful names He could be given. Each of the four should inform our prayer lives, as we will see.

We pray to a Wonderful Counselor in Jesus. Think of how many times we are at the end of our ability to figure something out and just need someone to give us counsel and perspective or answers. That is Jesus. He knows what we don’t know. He also knows us in ways we do not. He is the ultimate counselor to turn to in times of need when we need someone to talk to, listen to our heart cry, and give us wise and healing counsel. That is who He is. It is also why we ought to pay attention when we ask for help from the Wonderful Counselor because God will likely nudge our spirits with His answer. 

A Wonderful Counselor, however, cannot change our situation unless He is all powerful, and this is the second name given Jesus: Mighty God. He has the power to enter into our situations, intervene in the impossible, change the inevitable, and step into the events of our lives like no one else can. He has unlimited power which should give us boldness in our prayers. He is not limited in any way. He is the Mighty God.

But unlimited power can be scary. It is why many of us grew up with a fear of God. And, of course, we ought to fear Him in that we take him seriously. But He is also our Everlasting Father, the best, most loving, faithful, Daddy that we could ever have. One that will never fail us or let us down and, as an Everlasting Father, will never leave us or forsake us. He is always there, always ready to forgive us, direct us, protect us and give us what we need for each day. All we need to do is ask.

Finally, we pray to the Prince of Peace. The One who will one day rule this world in peace but who, through His death and resurrection, gives us peace with Him today. This is why we can approach Him with confidence and have nothing to fear from Him. He has made our relationship good. Just as importantly He is the one who makes it possible for us to live at peace with others in the body of Christ who are different from us. He brings peace to relationships that have seen conflict and animosity if we will allow Him to. 

The next time you pray, remember whom you are praying to. The Wonderful Counselor, the Almighty God, the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. That will change your prayer life.

 Father, remind me often of the character and attributes of yourself in relation to me. Help me to pray with boldness knowing that you have the answers I need, the power to intervene in situations I cannot fix, that you love me to the core of my being and that I am at peace with you. Thank you Jesus. Amen.