A Prayer for Calling on the Powerful Name of Jesus
By: Kristine Brown
“When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” - Mark 10:47, NLT
There are many times in life when I get caught up in all that’s going on around me. It feels like I’m amid a sea of people, each voice distracting me from the peace and joy I know is available through Christ. I believe Jesus is right there with me, willing to bring peace to my situation. But I lose focus on him and instead let myself get lost in the crowd.
A man named Bartimaeus knew what it was like to focus only on Jesus in a crowd of chaos. Born blind, this man chose to tune out all the happenings around him and the voices pulling his attention away. He did the one thing we should all learn to do when we have a need— call on the powerful name of Jesus.
Jesus’ name “is above every name.” It is so powerful that every knee will bow to it and every tongue will acknowledge Jesus as Lord. (Philippians 2:9-11).
Bartimaeus didn’t give in to distraction. He kept calling, even when people tried to silence him. We shouldn’t let people or circumstances discourage us from calling on Jesus, any time we want. He is always there for us, ready and willing to meet our needs.
Jesus would not be deterred when one of his children called. He paused and turned toward Bartimaeus. Mark 10:49 says, “When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, ‘Tell him to come here.’” Then in verse 52, we are given an incredible example of what happens when we choose his name above all else. “And Jesus said to him, ‘Go, for your faith has healed you.’ Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.”
Jesus responded when Bartimaeus called his name, and he will do the same for us today. Just like this man’s story, let’s allow Jesus to be the focus of our story, today and every day. Let’s pray by calling on the powerful name of Jesus.
Dear Jesus,
Please help me. I need you. Circumstances seem out of control, and with all the voices shouting at me, I am struggling to focus on you alone. I cry out to you today because your name is above every other name.
I want to be like Bartimaeus and not be afraid to call on you in the midst of the crowds. When I say the name, “Jesus,” the enemy trembles. He is no match for you, the King of Kings and giver of mercy and grace. You bring hope to my hurt and healing to my weary soul.
Help me get rid of distractions and break down barriers between us as I focus on you. Romans 10:13 promises, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Thank you Jesus for this undeniable truth! Thank you for caring about me and hearing me when I pray.
Praise your powerful name, Amen.
For more spiritual growth resources, check out this free email study from Kristine Brown, Walking with Rahab: A 5-Day Challenge to Better Decision-Making. You’ll find weekly encouragement to help you “become more than yourself through God’s Word” at her website, kristinebrown.net. Kristine is the author of the book, Over It. Conquering Comparison to Live Out God’s Plan, and the companion devotional for teens.
Editor's Note: We're proud to announce we've just launched a new nighttime companion to Your Daily Prayer: the Your Nightly Prayer devotional. You'll soon be able to subscribe to receive Your Nightly Prayer via email, or as a podcast, but for now you can find it on the website at crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer. We hope it's a relaxing and soothing way to wind down your day with rich meditations on who God is.
Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith
Kerry Washington. Andrea Bocelli. Reba McEntire. Mark Wahlberg. Tony Dungy. Matthew McConaughey, What do all of these people have in common? They are all people of faith who have leaned on God in both the good and challenging times—and they’ve shown up to tell their story of faith on The Jesus Calling Podcast. The Jesus Calling Podcast provides a place for people from all walks of life to share the heartaches, joys, and divine moments that keep them going.
Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
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