The Power of Names - Your Nightly Prayer

Your Nightly Prayer

The Power of Names
Your Nightly Prayer for May 1, 2025
By Sophia Bricker

TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE

Yet the time will come when Israel’s people will be like the sands of the seashore—too many to count! Then, at the place where they were told, ‘You are not my people,’ it will be said, ‘You are children of the living God. - Hosea 1:10, NLT

SOMETHING TO PONDER

My gym teacher in elementary school called me “Sophie.” I suppose this was a way to abbreviate my name, though my seven-year-old self would insist that there are the same number of letters in both names. The nickname infuriated me. My mother noticed my discontentment and encouraged me to remind the teacher of what I wanted to be called, since he may have been struggling to remember all the children’s names. So, I did. I ventured up to the teacher, despite my shyness, and firmly said, “My name is Sophia, not Sophie.” My brave efforts failed, though, because he continued to call me by the nickname.

It is easy to laugh at this event now as an adult, but I still get somewhat ruffled when people do not take the time to listen to a person’s name or pronounce it correctly. For what we call ourselves, and the names others give us, have significance. We see this in Scripture with the rich meaning of names. Consider “Israel” and its meaning connected with Jacob’s encounter with the Lord (Genesis 32:28), or our Savior’s name, Jesus, which means the Lord saves (Matthew 1:21).

In the book of Hosea, we read about the prophet’s children whose names held deeper meaning. The Lord chose the names of Lo-Ruhamah (not loved) and Lo-Ammi (not my people) to show that Israel would be punished (Hosea 1:6-9). They had been unfaithful to the Lord, and He would not ignore their rebellion anymore. Yet, God redeems the names and turns them around by saying that in the future, the people of Israel will again be called His children at the same place where they were said not to belong to Him (Hosea 1:10). Likewise, believers have been brought near in that we who were once not a people are now sons and daughters of the Lord (Romans 9:23-26; 1 Peter 2:10). Rebels have been transformed into beloved children.

Whatever names we assign to ourselves, or what others call us, we should know that the Lord has made us His own – and what He says about us is far weightier than the words of others. We are His people, and He is our God (see Hosea 2:23). No number of misspellings or mispronunciations can change that reality.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Lord,
You have the Name that is above any other name, and in love and mercy, You have declared that I am Yours. I am undeserving of such an honor to be known as a child of the living God, yet that is what Your Word says about me and every person who trusts in You. Remind me of who I am, so that when I falter, I may boldly declare that You, Yahweh, are my God.
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. A nickname that family or friends call you (or called you in the past). Do you appreciate this name? Why or why not?

2. One of the many names of God in Scripture. What does it teach you about God, and how can it encourage you?

3. Your identity as a child of God. How does it affect your life and the way you view your worth?

Sophia Bricker Sophia Bricker is a writer. Her mission is to help others grow in their relationship with Jesus through thoughtful articles, devotionals, and stories. She completed a BA and MA in Christian ministry, which included extensive study of the Bible and theology, and an MFA in creative writing. You can follow her blog about her story, faith, and creativity at The Cross, a Pen, and a Page.