Calling upon God

Asking God to act, in dependence upon him and out of a sense of sometimes desperate need.

Calling upon God as an act of worship

By those who depend upon him and proclaim his name

Genesis 4:26 See also Genesis 12:8, Genesis 26:25; 1 Chronicles 16:8 parallel Psalm 105:1; Psalm 86:5, Psalm 116:2, Psalm 116:17; Job 27:10; 2 Timothy 2:22

And to Seth also a son was born, and he called him Enosh. At that time men began to call upon the name of the LORD.

Those who do not acknowledge God or call upon his name

Psalm 14:4 parallel Psalm 53:4; Psalm 79:6; Isaiah 65:1; Jeremiah 10:25; Zephaniah 3:9

Calling upon God in time of need

Psalm 50:15; Lamentations 3:55 See also 1 Samuel 12:17–18; 2 Samuel 22:4 parallel Psalm 18:3; 1 Kings 18:24; 2 Kings 5:11; Job 19:7; Psalm 4:1, Psalm 17:6–9, Psalm 18:6, Psalm 27:7–12, Psalm 28:1–2, Psalm 55:16, Psalm 86:3, Psalm 86:7, Psalm 91:15, Psalm 120:1; Proverbs 1:28; Isaiah 58:9, Isaiah 65:24; Jeremiah 11:14, Jeremiah 33:3; Joel 1:19; Habakkuk 1:2; Zechariah 13:9

Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”

I called on Your name, O LORD, out of the depths of the Pit.

Calling upon God for his salvation

Acts 2:21 See also Joel 2:32; Romans 10:12–14

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Calling upon God was part of the priestly function of intercession

Psalm 99:6 See also Exodus 17:11, Exodus 32:31–32; Numbers 21:7; 1 Samuel 12:19, 1 Samuel 12:23; Jeremiah 15:1

Moses and Aaron were among His priests; Samuel was among those who called on His name. They called to the LORD and He answered.

Examples of those who called upon God

Abraham

Genesis 13:4

Moses

Exodus 17:10–13, Exodus 17:15, Exodus 32:11–13, Exodus 32:30; Numbers 14:13–19; Deuteronomy 9:26–29

Samuel

1 Samuel 7:5–9

Elijah

1 Kings 18:36–37

Jonah

Jonah 2:2, Jonah 2:7

Stephen

Acts 7:59–60