Lord, change my name Listen to article A name is a word or set of words by which a person or thing is known, addressed, or referred to. Sometimes it describes what the person believes, an experience, an incidence, a place or event of interest, an aspiration or an expectation. Then other times it could be deeper when it comes through a revelation, prophecy or even as a direct instruction from the Almighty. Names can affect, remind, direct, motivate or even serve as an instrument of covenant. I was told the story behind my own name - Gabriel by my maternal grandmother Lady Diana Mboma. Luckily she is a godly and very spiritual woman. She is from Amaegbu - Nkwerre in Imo State and nearing 100 years now. Amongst her children and grand children she likes discussing spiritual matters with me because she believes I am spiritually born and inclined. She told me that God gave me the name through prophesy while I was still in the womb. My mother was told that she would conceive a baby boy and a great messenger of God and that he shall be called Gabriel; that he would impact the world for Christ. And so many other instructions came with that which included not shaving my head for the first three years and so on. Sure, her prayers, stories and advice helped me to rediscover myself and my destiny. It was her that told me that my maternal great grandmother was a very powerful seer and that she would always say that there is no how a bird will fly over that you will not see the underneath. Meaning that there is nothing hidden under the Sun, except the one that God doesn’t want to show you. Wow! I am blessed to have come from this lineage, a generational string of godly men and women of God. I am the fourth generation and the grace is continuing. I am already seeing the sign. This must be a very powerful generational covenant! One of the things that make Israel and Jewish religion and race strong is the oral tradition. They will always pass information to their next generations and also remember that God would also always instruct them to tell their children and coming generations the testimonies and the stories behind their deliverances, covenants and dealings with him. It is a great way to transfer faith, covenants, loyalty and grace.