Name of God: The Alpha and the Omega
THE BEGINNING AND THE END
Revelation 1:8: "I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
Devotional:
In Revelation 1:8, God declares, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” a title repeated again in Revelation 22:13 as Scripture draws to a close. Alpha and Omega—the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet—reveal God as the One who encompasses all of history from start to finish. Spoken in a time of persecution and uncertainty for the early church, this name assures believers that history is not spiraling out of control. God stands sovereign over its beginning, its unfolding, and its ultimate conclusion.
There have been times in my life that I felt forgotten. In August of 2020, the height of the pandemic, my family was displaced by a severe storm that blew a tree onto our home. At the time, there was no way I could have known that that seemingly tragic situation would set into motion a series of events that would have us relocating twice in four years and lead to me pastoring in downtown Charlottesville. In the midst of all the transition, we didn’t know how things would turn out-but God knew.
This name, Alpha and Omega, reveals God’s authority, completeness, and faithfulness. He is not only the initiator of creation and redemption but also the One who will bring all things to their appointed end. Alpha and Omega reminds us that our lives are not fragments of a forgotten story but part of a divine narrative held together by God Himself. When the middle chapters feel unclear or painful, we are invited to trust the God who began the story and has already secured its ending.
Devotional Prayer Questions:
1. What unfinished or uncertain places in my life do I need to place back into God’s hands, trusting Him as both the Author and the Finisher of my story?
2. How can I invite God to reshape my perspective in the “middle chapters” of my life, so that I live with peace and faith rather than anxiety or control?
The Lord's Prayer
Use the Lord's Prayer to guide your prayer time.
“Father”
From the beginning to the end, You have been with us, Father. Thank You for holding the world and our lives in Your hands.
“Hallowed be Your Name”
You are above all—above us and all of creation. The divine story of our world is held together by You.
“Your Kingdom come / Your will be done”
Your will be done, as You write our story according to Your perfect purpose.
“Give us this day our daily bread”
Care for us in the needs of this day, reminding us that You are our provider and sustainer.
“Forgive us our sins…”
Alpha and Omega, forgive us our sins, for You are the Beginning and the End, faithful to restore us.
“Lead us not into temptation”
Lord, sometimes it’s hard to understand how things will work out. Lead us not into the temptation to take control instead of trusting You.
Prayer Requests
After praying through the Lord's Prayer, please pray openly for those around you, our Church, those that are lost and then if you are joining us in person, please pray over a few prayer requests on the prayer cards located on the front of the stage and return them in the basket at the exit.
With Your Family
Prayer is so important for us to develop especially with our family. Throughout the 21 Days of Prayer we want to provide simple prayer prompts that you and your children can pray through that can break down the name of God into an easily understood manner and how we can pray through that. In addition to the prayer below, prompt your children to pray for family, friends, teachers, others in their life and remember to always lead the prayer with gratitude.
Thank God that He is the Alpha and the Omega, which means The Beginning and the End.
These are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, showing that God was there at the very start of everything and He'll be there at the very end.
Because God is the beginning and the end, He is with you through every single moment of your life, past, present, and future.
Thank God today that He is always with you, no matter what.
Communion
If you are joining us in person, please pick up the communion elements provided and take it to close out your prayer time.
Scripture:
Read the following passage before participating in communion:
Mark 14:22-25: And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
Prayer:
Take a moment and ask God to examine your heart and reveal any sin that is hindering your relationship with Him. Confess that sin to the Lord. Then, as you read the passage, take a moment to praise and thank God for His body and His blood, and eat the bread and drink the cup.
