Name of God: Jehovah-nissi
THE LORD IS MY BANNER
Exodus 17:15 - “And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner.”
Devotional
After a supernatural victory over Amalek, Moses built an altar to remember what the Lord had done. The battle itself revealed where Israel’s help truly came from. Whenever Moses held up the staff of God, Israel prevailed. When his arms grew tired and fell, the enemy gained ground. The Lord chose to make the outcome of the battle depend on Moses holding up the staff of God - a visible sign that their help came from the Lord alone. When Moses could no longer hold the staff on his own, Aaron and Hur came alongside him and helped keep his hands raised. The Lord then instructed Moses to record this moment, so the people would never forget who truly won the battle.
Moses named the altar Jehovah-nissi — The Lord Is My Banner. In ancient times, a banner was lifted high so people could see who led the army and where their allegiance belonged. Moses did not name the altar after himself or even after those who supported him. He lifted up the name of God. Recently, I was in Washington, D.C., surrounded by memorials that remind us of sacrifice and defining moments in history. Moses’ altar served a similar purpose - but instead of pointing to human achievement, it declared something deeper: that the Lord goes before His people, and that the victory belongs to Him.
That truth invites reflection. What banner am I lifting today? Whose name am I raising in the battles I face? As I commit daily to serve the Lord, I want my life to make it clear where my trust lies. Prayer is how we lift that banner now. When we pray first, we are not waiting until the struggle overwhelms us - we are declaring our dependence on the Lord before the battle even begins. And even when our faith feels tired or our arms feel heavy, we keep lifting His name, trusting that He remains steady when we are not.
Devotional Prayer Questions
1. What situation in your life needs the banner of Jehovah-nissi raised over it today?
2. How does remembering what God has already done help you pray with faith right now?
The Lord's Prayer
Use the Lord's Prayer to guide your prayer time.
“Father”
Thank Him that His banner over you is love, protection, and identity. Where others see defeat—He marks victory.
“Hallowed be Your Name”
Praise Him: You are my victory. You are my covering. You are my confidence. You lift my head when shame tries to bow it.
“Your Kingdom come / Your will be done”
Lay battles before God: “Fight where I cannot fight. Win where I am weak. Lead where I have no wisdom.” Pray for Kingdom victory over fear, addiction, unforgiveness, shame, and spiritual lethargy.
“Give us this day our daily bread”
Pray for people you know in spiritual battle. Trust your Banner to intervene.
“Forgive us our sins…”
Victory begins with humility. Confess sin and receive cleansing. Forgive those who wounded you—wave God’s banner over the wound.
“Lead us not into temptation”
Pray for strength to endure temptation and suffering. Pray the armor—especially the shield of faith—to extinguish accusation, condemnation, and despair.
Prayer Requests
After praying through the Lord's Prayer, please pray openly for those around you, our Church, those that are lost and then if you are joining us in person, please pray over a few prayer requests on the prayer cards located on the front of the stage and return them in the basket at the exit.
With Your Family
Prayer is so important for us to develop especially with our family. Throughout the 21 Days of Prayer we want to provide simple prayer prompts that you and your children can pray through that can break down the name of God into an easily understood manner and how we can pray through that. In addition to the prayer below, prompt your children to pray for family, friends, teachers, others in their life and remember to always lead the prayer with gratitude.
Thank God that He is Jehovah Nissi, which means The LORD is My Banner.
A banner is like a flag that shows whose team you're on, and we're on God's team with Him saying He fights for us.
Because God is our banner, He gives us courage and victory when things are hard.
Pray today for someone you know who is going through a difficult time, and ask God to give them strength.
Communion
If you are joining us in person, please pick up the communion elements provided and take it to close out your prayer time.
Scripture:
Read the following passage before participating in communion:
Mark 14:22-25: And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
Prayer:
Take a moment and ask God to examine your heart and reveal any sin that is hindering your relationship with Him. Confess that sin to the Lord. Then, as you read the passage, take a moment to praise and thank God for His body and His blood, and eat the bread and drink the cup.
