No one knows your prodigal like you do except for God. No one knows best how to pray nor will pray as fervently and consistently as you do except Jesus and the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26, 34).

But when our faith is weak because of circumstances we see, there is a way to build your faith and trust as well as peace and rest: praise God for an applicable name.

• If your prodigal needs healing, praise God as Jehovah Rapha, The Lord Our Healer.
• Your prodigal is deceived, praise God as Truth.
• If your prodigal needs deliverance, praise God as Deliverer.
• If your prodigal needs protection, praise God as Protector.
• If your prodigal needs Freedom, praise God as Truth (John 8:32).
• If your prodigal needs to be reclaimed, praise God as Jehovah Nissi, The Lord Our Banner.
• If you don’t know where your prodigal is, praise God as Jehovah Shammah, The Lord Is There.
• If you don’t know what is best for your prodigal, praise God as omniscient, all-wise God.
• If your prodigal is oppressed or possessed by a demon, praise God as El Elyon, God Most High. He outranks every enemy.
• If your prodigal is running from a calling of God for his/her life, praise God as Jehovah M’Kaddesh, The Lord Who Sanctifies. He can cleanse and set him/her apart for service.
• If your prodigal is addicted, praise God as El, God Of Power And Might.
• If your prodigal is in a seemingly impossible situation, praise God as Jehovah Raah, The Lord Our Shepherd. He can guide him/her to best place possible (Psalm 23).

And always praise God as Savior!

As for yourself:

• If your faith has been weakened, praise God as immutable–never-changing, El Shaddai–Almighty, All-Sufficient God, and as Faithful God.
• If you need peace through this journey, praise God as Jehovah Shalom, The Lord Our Peace.
• If you don’t like your prodigals right now, praise God as Love.

Praising God for these names and attributes is not a way to manipulate God into doing what you want Him to do for your prodigal. Rather, it is getting to know, KNOW, your Savior in a very personal way, which is what He desires for you.

Praise automatically places your focus where it should be: on God who is able and trustworthy. It causes you to internalize that name or attribute of God to a level where you can truly trust Him with your prodigal. It will make you aware of the many times He has already shown His strength for your prodigal, and it will empower you to pray effective, faith-filled prayers that are in God’s perfect will.

Choose the name most needed, and let the praise begin!