It seems like I hear more and more, “I feel so sorry for that person!” They go on to say that the person has cancer, lost their job, filed for divorce, are struggling financially, lost their home, lost a family member to Covid, crashed their car, and the list goes on.
We have been taught to say, “I’m sorry.” when someone gives us sad news and sharing with us what their struggles are. Haven’t we also been taught to pray for our brothers and sisters?
Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
I recently was blessed to share hearts and pray over women that were victims of violent crime in my community. I think this is truly the moment that I felt so many people pitying one and other. I heard volunteers tell victims, “It’s so awful what you have been through. That’s so hard.” It broke my heart because I approach this so differently. I didn’t ask a victim their story, I ask what prayers they needed and then I prayed with them.
Jesus taught us to love one another and pray for one another. There is no judgement or pity in love. We are not to “form” opinions on someone’s situation but to accept and love. I’m sorry if this seems harsh but most of the women I met that night were beautiful, strong women that just wanted someone to reassure them that they would be alright. They wanted to know someone else went through this and survived and moved onto a better life. They wanted prayers, not pity.
After praying deeply for these women I recognized that there are many different names of God. These names can be used when praying specific prayers. I always started my prayers with Heavenly Father because He is my Father in heaven. I now use some of His other names, powerful names when I pray. I would like to share a few with you.
The name Jehovah Jireh has become a strong Godly name in my prayers. Jehovah Jireh means “Our Provider”. He is the One that always provides that unexpected money to pay a bill we couldn’t pay or the One that gives us just the right words to share with someone in pain. Sometimes I have had no words to comfort someone and then Jehovah Jireh provided the right words with the most meaning.
Jehovah Jireh, I am coming to You today for provision. My bank account is drained and my pantry is bare but I know You are my Provider. You always make a way for me. You always show up for me and never let me down. Jehovah Jireh I trust in You and I know You are with me and will provide for me. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.
Another name for God is Jehovah Rapha meaning “God who heals”. I am praying constantly to Jehovah Rapha for my dad and his cancer walk, my daughter and grandbaby in their walk with gastroschisis, my cleaning lady with continual health problems, a woman I met with a broken heart, too many to mention for healing from anxiety and depression.
Jehovah Rapha, I have many to pray for today. Many people that surround me are broken and need healed. Jehovah Rapha please comfort, strengthen, and touch my dad, Lexie, Mila, Amber, Jennifer, Kara, Danielle, Ms. Vee, Ryland, and Courtney with physical and mental healing. I know You only want the best for us so please allow these people to open their hearts and accept Your healing. I love and trust You and in Jesus’ name, I offer this prayer. Amen.
Next I want to introduce you to Our God, Abba. Abba means Father as well as Father I obey You. This is the sweetest most intimate name I use when praying. Just like I want to always make my earthly father pleased with me, I want this for my Heavenly Father. Abba is such a soft and comforting name. It is said in a breath type way Ahh-Bahh. If you say it slowly and genuinely if offers such a sense of innocence. When we pray to Abba, Our God, we are opening ourselves up to childlike prayer. Innocent, gentle, big-eyed prayer.
Abba, my loving Abba. You see me for who I am and You still love me unconditionally. I know I am nothing without You and even though I am in this broken world You never leave me. Every day Abba I sin and do wrong, yet You are always the first to forgive me and forget. I am grateful for Your love Abba and in Jesus precious and holy name, I say this prayer. Amen.
The last name I want to share with you is Jehovah Shalom, the Lord is peace. Goodness, so many times in the last year and a half I have cried out to Jehovah Shalom. Peace is the only way to combat anxiety and fear. Anxiety and fear are the ways Satan tries to control our thoughts and lives. Jehovah Shalom offers calming and beautiful peace. He can place peace in our hearts and minds immediately. I describe it as completeness, harmony, and “no worries”.
Jehovah Shalom, You are my peace. I am feeling anxious and I need Your comfort and reassurance of peace. Breathe Your love into my heart and mind to clear my anxiety and remind me that You never send mental unbalance to me. Protect me from the enemy and his wicked ways and bless me with Your peace, the peace that is life changing. Thank You Jehovah Shalom for Your constant stream of comfort. I love You and in Jesus’ name, I pray for peace. Amen.
There are so many name of God that I can share with you but I ask you to seek them out on your own. I found when I learned about God’s powerful names my prayers changed. My heart changed. My love for Him changed. May God bless you and thank you for reading my blog-LoLo
gratefulgratitude.net 