Praying The Name

2 Chronicles 6:19 (NIV) —

‘Yet, Lord my God, give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence.’

I don’t know about you, but when I hear the news and it is full of conflict and hatred I am often overwhelmed. Gaza, Ukraine, Syria, knife crime, families devasted by the economic climate . . . what we can do? How can we, as individuals make a difference?

Always we have choices, don’t we? We can wring our hands in despair, or we can speak the name of Jesus over these countries and situations. If we believe that the name of Jesus changes things, if we believe that Jesus will inherit all the nations of the world, then let’s declare that over the world, over our broken city of Birmingham.

Can we raise the rallying cry as Joshua did for Jericho? Can we actively choose to declare Jesus over the city as we walk or drive around?  As we confess the name of Jesus over the city, can we do so with the faith and knowledge that only he can bring about a way out of the mess. It is only Jesus who will bring unity to our politicians and give them a common purpose for the people of this country. It is only Jesus who can change their hearts, their minds and their actions; only Jesus can change our hearts, our minds and our actions. 

Let’s shout Jesus from the mountains; Jesus in the streets; Jesus in the darkness over every enemy; Jesus for our families; Let’s speak the holy name: Jesus’

(Song lyrics ‘I Speak Jesus’ by Charity Gayle)

Prayer - Thank you, Jesus, that there is power in your name. Quicken our hearts to pray your name over Birmingham, for all who are lost and afraid.