Praying God’s promises — it’s changed me.
That’s why I included a prayer, at the end of each chapter, weaving together Scriptures from that chapter and others I sensed God wanted us to engrave on our hearts.
“Praying God’s Word has been one of the most life-changing ways I’ve learned to live in the security of His promises…and isn’t that what we all want?
“One way God tells us that confidence will come is when we ask Him for what is already part of His will. ‘This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us’ (1 John 5:14 NASB). So there you go: we can be confident we are praying God’s will when we pray God’s Word!” p.25
But that’s not all.
Romans 10:17 tells us that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” so let’s pray these promises out loud again and again.
Out loud. Yes, even if it seems weird. Find somewhere you can be alone to speak these truths where you can hear them, and let them echo in your heart
Trust me, it makes a difference.
“When we pray God’s words out loud, and hear them, the Holy Spirit engraves them on our hearts and writes them in our thoughts. We internalize God’s truth and our faith grows as we are transformed from the inside out!” p.25
Let’s pray this week’s prayer {together}:
Lord, I pray that You would give me a confident heart in Christ. Take me beyond believing in You to truly believing You. Help me rely on the power of Your promises and live like they are true. You say blessed is the one who trusts in You and whose hope and confidence are found in You. Those who hope in You will not be disappointed, because You work all things together for good for those who love You and are called according to Your purpose.
When self-doubt tells me I can’t overcome my insecurities, I will believe Your promise that all things are possible to whoever believes. I will not throw away my confidence, because You say it will be richly rewarded. I will persevere so that when I have done the will of God, I will receive what You have promised. My confidence is in Christ and I am no longer one who shrinks back and is destroyed, but one who believes and is saved! In Jesus’ name, Amen. {See Jeremiah 17:7; Isaiah 49:23; Romans 8:28; Mark 9:23; Hebrews 10:35–36, 39}
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{Special Gift & GiveAway}
Chad Lawson, my friend, award-winning composer and pianist , has graciously shared his beautiful, Spirit-filled Song of Prayer below. Watch and listen below for FREE. {If you’re reading this via email please click here to visit my website to watch}.Friend, you don’t want to miss this – trust me.
Even though it will probably be hard at first, please pause to soak in this God-gift that was filmed while Chad listened to the Holy Spirit. Chad simply played what God laid on his heart. You’ll see the joy of Christ in Chad’s smile but more than anything, you’ll experience the peace of God’s presence through his music.
You can find and download A Song of Prayer on Itunes ($1.99) or Amazon ($.89)
{Today’s Give-Away}
3 Special Order Song of Prayer CDs
To enter to win one: Click “share your thoughts” below this post and describe how you felt or what you sensed God whisper as you listened to Chad’s Song of Prayer. Also share one or two of your answers to questions you feel comfortable sharing about from the end of Chapter 1.
Remember, if you’re reading this via email please click here to visit my website and participate. All entries must be put in the “share your thoughts” section.
This may sound unusual, but as I listened to the prayer song I looked at the Beautiful faces of Fridays little victims. I prayed for each child’s family/friends as I skipped through the 20 pictures. Idon’t believe I could have gotten through looking at these precious faces without the sounds of this heavenly angelic music playing in my ears as I felt the warmth of the Holy Spirit comfort me.
Beautiful! Anointed! Calming music!
I just began the Bible study and I am just finishing chapter 1; week 1.
I am a few weeks behind and I am just cathing up and I am listening to this beautiful piece of music and I feel like I am loved & cared for by my Heavenly Father that there is nothing I can’t do, that he is always with me by my side taking care of his daughter. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
I am sitting here listening to this beautiful music, reading your words while the birds are chriping away on this beautiful day. I am filled with confidence that I am truely blessed, grateful and joyful for all the wonderful blessings I have. Even in hard times I am blessed. Thank you for allowing us the moment to reflect and realize HE has provided for us. Di
I close my eyes and wait. HE has been waiting for me. I feel that peace that passeth human understanding.
I feel HIS love all around me. HE whispers to me and calls me ‘Beautiful daughter”. I am thankful that He talks to me and dances with me as the music plays. He takes me to a ‘place’ where I actually focus and listen to the song that He sings for me. He tells me to not fear the voices and faces that confuse me and take the confidence, promises, dreams and plans that He placed inside of me before I was born. He hugs me while we dance and talk…then my eyes open. Doesn’t Jesus bring a smile to us all? True Peace, true Joy and freedom can only be found in Christ Jesus. He IS all of that and more. We love because He first loved us. And I feel that..most of all.
I ordered my book late and just received it yesterday, so I did some catch up reading today on Ch 1.
I was fine until I got to the prayer at the end of the chapter. I couldn’t begin to read it/pray it. I was full of uncertainty and fear. I finally said, “God I am scared” and started crying. When I finally caught my breath I had to force myself to begin…I made it through the first sentence. More tears, more catching my breath…forced myself through the second sentence. This scenario repeated itself for several more sentences before I was able to tearfully get through the prayer.
The questions weren’t much easier. Very eye opening to how hard my heart truly is toward God and His word. I am very guarded where He is concerned. ( and others for that matter) I think it is because I was one of those who thought once I became a Christian, my life would be “perfect” and the disappointments and let downs that followed overcame me.
The Lord has walked me through sexual abuse, emotional abuse, depression and a negative attitude (still working on that one at times) but I have never really opened my heart to Him. He has told me I don’t trust Him with my heart. I think this will be the hardest part of my journey so far!
I feel Jesus, he is saying you are not alone, I am here, I hold your heart with my love, you are my child and you mean everything to me. Don’t fret about your short comings, I forgive you, I love you and you mean everything. I feel hurt when you are hurt, don’t shy from me. I am here to be with you through everyday, I will always be here, just give yourself to me. Believe whole heartedly and give your heart to me. I will change the old and make you new. Change your habits and give you new life. you are never too far from me. I know you believe, just submit your heart and wanting to take care of yourself. You are not selfish, you are stubborn and my father made you strong. Give me a chance in your life. It is not failure to give in to me and my love. You are my everything, my child I love you. I died for you because of my love for you. Just believe in me. My heart cries for my children. Your children, You are beautiful, my everything, my child, my sacrifice. I love you. My spirit is with you. Just listen Please I am love and I love you.
What beautiful music…very inspiring..Thank you Cindy
Playing catch-up, but sticking with it -Jenna-. That song does bring such peace. I’ve been playing it in the mornings to start my day with a sense of peace, it is so easy for me to wake up anxious about all that needs to be accomplished and doubting myself; it has been nice to start with peace.
A few responses to questions in the first chapter:
#3- One of doubt’s loudest whispers in my life has been “I’ll never be good enough, so why bother trying?” Ironically, it has created a form of perfectionism in my life that has kept me from many things because of a fear of failure/being a disappointment. Self-doubt makes me feel hopeless in the deep reaches of my heart, and leads to darker thoughts- for me, doubt is a gateway to depression.
#4- Isaiah 49:23 has spoken volumes to my heart; when I meditate on that promise it brings deep peace to my soul. Just today a friend shared a story of a woman who, when facing doubt, would repeat to herself “I love You, God. I need You, God. I trust You, God.” What a powerful phrase to speak in the face of doubt!
#5- I have always struggled with feeling that I have to earn love, and with being afraid of being a disappointment… and I have projected these things in my relationship with God as well. For me, the promises in the Bible that say God rejoices over me (Zephaniah 3:17) have meant the most in this regard- that not only will I not be disappointed in Him, but He will not be disappointed in me!
#6- A woman with a confident heart is at peace, and free to be full of passion and purse those passions. She draws others to herself.
Those are my thoughts, not sure if anyone will get to read them since I’m behind, but wanted to share anyways.
Thanks for sharing Lydia. I am behind too. We’ll catch up. But even if we don’t, what matters is that we are doing the study! My comments are below.
Thanks for sharing how you are starting to listen to the music in the mornings. I’ve been recently waking feeling defeated before I even get out of bed (feeling behind already b/c I hit snooze too much & didn’t wake up on time) and already start the day allowing the insecurities to take over. I need to stop that and music is a way to stop that. Earlier this year I woke up to the christian station playing and it was wonderful to wake up with praise music or christian music playing because it set the tone for the day. I probably felt less doubt and insecurity on those days. I am going to start playing music in the mornings too!
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“Describe how you felt or what you sensed God whisper as you listened to Chad’s Song of Prayer.” :
I was reading through comments and questions and worrying about whether someone will walk into my office now and see I’m not technically at lunch anymore. SO i didn’t get much from it other than the musical beauty (I love pianos!!) because I didn’t STOP and listen. I need to STOP and LISTEN and allow his still, quiet voice to speak to me…I think home will be better suited for that.
Share one or two of your answers to questions you feel comfortable sharing about from the end of Chapter 1:
3. Describe how it makes you feel when doubt whispers: “I can’t do this.” “Things will never change.” “My life isn’t going to get better.” “It’s too hard.” “I might as well quit.”:
weak, hopeless, anxious, scared, paralyzed, inept, suicidal, sad.
4. Describe what happens in your heart when you read God’s words:
encouraged, comforted, strengthened, relieved, soothed.
Jesus was reminding me that He is the lover of my soul, my companion, filling me with His love and grace. Refilling my empty love banks. Receiving His peace and a knowing He will always take care of me.. But it was His love i felt, His presence. He is Soo faithful….i just am having a hard time putting it all into words…
Thank you for sharing this miraculous song….
Beautiful song! It spoke to me Matthew 11:28…Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. As a mom to three little ones…what a sweet message. Rest.