What does "call on the name of our Lord" mean for personal prayer life? A Family Identifier in 1 Corinthians 1:2 “To the church of God in Corinth … together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours.” (1 Corinthians 1:2) • Paul treats “calling on the name” as the defining mark of every genuine believer. • It is not a one-time event but an ongoing lifestyle of prayerful dependence. What Does “Call on the Name” Mean? • Address Him personally—“Lord Jesus,” recognizing His deity and authority. • Rely on His finished work, not personal merit (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13). • Appeal to His character—faithful, merciful, powerful (Psalm 145:18). • Express covenant loyalty; we belong to Him and approach as family. Why the Name Matters • His name represents His person; to invoke it is to invite His presence (Matthew 18:20). • His name carries authority in the heavenly courts (John 14:13). • His name is exclusive; no rival savior or mediator exists (Acts 4:12). Praying in His Name vs. Merely Using His Name • Not a magic phrase tacked onto petitions. • It means aligning with His will, motives, and glory (1 John 5:14-15). • It rests on relationship, not formula—much like a child asking a father (Hebrews 4:16). Daily Implications for Personal Prayer 1. Begin with worship: acknowledge who He is before stating needs (Psalm 116:4). 2. Confess sin quickly; holiness and calling on the name belong together (2 Timothy 2:22). 3. Ask boldly yet submissively—“Your will be done” frames every request (John 16:23-24). 4. Expect help in real time: grace for temptation, wisdom for decisions, peace in trials. 5. Continue throughout the day—brief, sincere cries are welcome (Nehemiah 2:4). Encouragements to Keep Calling • “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21) • “The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18) • “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence.” (Hebrews 4:16) Practical Ways to Cultivate the Habit • Speak His name aloud when alone; it anchors the heart. • Journal prayers, writing “Lord Jesus” at the top to reinforce focus. • Memorize verses that use the phrase and pray them back to Him. • Gather with other believers to call on His name corporately (Acts 1:14). The Takeaway To “call on the name of our Lord” is to live in continual, confident, reverent conversation with the risen Jesus—trusting His character, submitting to His will, and relying on His power from salvation’s first cry to life’s final breath. |
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