The way to life and freedom is to trust in the name of the Lord. The wise man says: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:12).
But what does it mean to trust in the name of the Lord? In my personal life and in my ministry as a psychologist and spiritual mentor I have learned that we must learn to bring our reliance upon the name of the Lord into our daily life challenges and struggles.
Today I was about to hurry as I drove until I breathed the name of Jesus in prayer.
I helped a man who was feeling guilty about hurting his wife and daughter to stop condemning himself and take a hold of the name of the Lord of mercy.
I taught woman struggling with being critical to “watch and pray” in Jesus’ name so she wouldn’t fall into temptation (Matthew 26:41).
I showed an alcoholic how he could pray the sweet name of Jesus to resist drinking.
Try Abiding in Prayer with this little prayer I wrote that was inspired by Psalm 52:9. It features four of God’s precious names revealed in a glorious procession through the Scriptures.
Sloooowly repeat the lines. You might want to try breathing in and out your prayer:
Jesus, In Your Name I Hope
Yahweh, in your name I hope… for your name is good.
Immanuel, in your name I hope… for your name is good.
Jesus, in your name I hope… for your name is good.
Abba, in your name I hope… for your name is good.
After you’ve abided in the name of the Lord for a few minutes try using the prayer to do some Soul Shepherding…
- Identify a struggle in your life and then use this prayer to train your heart to turn away from temptation and to Jesus…
- Try using “Jesus, in Your Name I Hope” to abide in prayer for people the Lord puts on your mind…
