Written by Aileen Baab – Kids Hope USA Director at West Cannon Baptist Church and Cannonsburg Elementary
“But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you; Do not be afraid, for I am with you.’”
Isaiah 43:1-2,4a,5a
For as long as I can remember, my name has been very important to me. I’m sure we all think our name is important. Even if you don’t particularly like your name, it’s still important to you. Imagine if none of us had a name! Can you imagine the mass confusion that would result? Yet for me, my name has always been a precious commodity. You see, I am a twin.
As a twin, I spent most of my life being called something other than my name. For the most part I was called by my twin sister’s name. People got us “confused” all the time, (which is silly because we aren’t even identical). But oh, how I love it when people use my name now.
In Isaiah 43 verse 1, God speaks to His dear children about the coming of the Savior with such a beautiful and loving introduction. “Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name: you are mine.” God calls each of His children by name. And we are His. Is there anything better to hear? One thing, perhaps, comes close. We find it in the intimacy of prayer. When we pray and bring others before the throne of grace, we bring their name before the Father. We bring their needs before the Father. He hears and answers our prayers as we pray for our friends, Kids Hope USA students, and mentors each by name. What a love we show when we bring others before the One who loves so fully and intimately.
In your role as a Kids Hope USA prayer partner, remember to pray for your student and mentor by name, just as God calls you by name. Pray over them with God’s own words through Scripture. Many parts of the Bible can be used this way. For example, from Isaiah 43 verse 2 you could pray “Father in Heaven, the One who knows my name, I pray that when _____ goes through deep waters, they will know that YOU will be with them. When ____ goes through rivers of difficulty, may they know you will not let them drown.” And later, from verses 4 and 5 you might pray, “Father, may ____ know that they are precious to YOU, that they are honored and loved by YOU. Let ____ not be afraid for you are with them.” Not only are our names important to us, but they are also important to God. We are His and He loves us each by name.
Father, thank you for caring for us each so deeply and uniquely. I pray that my eyes and ears would be open to the ways in which I can pray for my Kids Hope USA student, mentor, and community through my role as a prayer partner. In your precious name we pray, amen.