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 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 and speak these truths to God 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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A Song of Prayer
My friend, award-winning composer and pianist , Chad Lawson, has graciously shared his beautiful, Spirit-filled Song of Prayer below. Watch and listen below for FREE and soak in this God-gift that was filmed while Chad listened to the Holy Spirit for 32 minutes and simply played what He 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.
Download Song of Prayer: You can find it 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 at the end of Chapter 1.
If you’re reading this via email: Scroll to the top of your email and click the title “Praying God’s Promises” to go back to my website. All entries must be put in the “share your thoughts” section.
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#3 – Defeated, useless. I’m realizing that I try to convince God that I’m not worthy or capable. He accepted me, but He shouldn’t have. He want’s to use me, but He shouldn’t bother with me. If I just fail to follow through one more time He will realize His mistake. The funny thing is, He already knows I’m not not worthy or capable on my own, I don’t have to convince Him. He accepts me and values me because He is Elohim, because He is Jehovah Jireh, and Abba. He created me, to be used by Him, He loves me, and He will provide for me. When I read the verses from question 4 my heart flutters with hope and possibility. My greatest hinderence is getting the truth from my head to my heart and back again!
1. describe how you felt or what you sensed God whisper as you listened to Chad’s Song of Prayer.
He is obviously inspired and talented … I love piano music and find it so relaxing and loved listening to it while I worked on my answers. I would love to buy his CD so I could listen to it in the car as I drive 2 hours each day – I’ve been using that time to pray out loud!
2. share one or two of your answers to questions at the end of Chapter 1.
#3 Doubts make me feel incompetent, insignifcant, unimportant and not worth whatever it is that I would like/like to do.
$4 Reading scriptures — I am inspired and excited about God’s words to us – renews my hope. There are still ‘human’ doubts which creep in my thoughts at times. I wish I understood the context and true meaning/intent of the words chosen to write the Bible – my pastor is so good at that!
Thank you so much for this!! I so needed this song of peace today, even though it’s my day off from work and most of the time, those are peaceful days for me. But this morning my office called to tell me about a mistake I had made. I feel terrible, I want to run and hide, and dread going back to work, but I know that God is with me. My trust is in His promise that all things work to the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. I also read the names of God and I saw that He is the God that is there. Yes, He is there in that office! Praise His Holy Name!!!!
A confident woman would know what God’s purpose is for her. She would hear God’s direction and know that the tasks she carried out were the one’s to help fulfill that purpose.
I never know if I am doing the right things (even now that I have tried to understand that the “right” things could be many, but what is most important is doing what God wants me to do). Sometimes I get paralyzed and just don’t make any decisions or take any action because I don’t feel God’s guidance.
I am not good at listening to God when I pray. I have a hard time knowing when my voice stops and his begins because I have a hard time stopping my mind and controlling my thoughts.
I want to be confident of my decisions and know that God’s hand is guiding me. I am going to try to spend more time in God’s word and see if I can know his will better and finally be confident in my actions and decisions.
Keep trusting in god and he will guide and direct your paths in life.
I know exactly how you feel Andrea, but like Carrie said we have to keep on trusting in God and He will make our path straight. Don’t give up!
Andrea, it helps me hear Him when I write out prayers to Him in my journal and pause from time to time. This may help you as well!
I really loved today’s devotional because I have been going through some things,and the holy spirit spoke to me when I finished praying and he stated grab ahold of my promises and see how it will change your life. I have 3 right now that I recite faithfully when I pray and since my bible lists all of God’s promises I will definitely be studying more!
I feel like this message was sent directly to me from you. I needed to hear just what was said here. I am going through a very rough time in my life right now. I need to reinforce that if I trust in God 100% he will be here for me. I need to hear what God’s plan is for my life and block out all negativity from humans. Thank you for sharing this. It is just what I needed to hear at this moment! God Bless!
Wow, what a beautiful song! It is such peaceful calming music. I could feel my frustration diminish as I listened, and by the end of the song I felt so relaxed and centered.
I’m listening to this wonderful music as I read down through everyone’s thoughts; I see so many people who struggle with the same things I do….somehow, I have hope for all of us!
Renee, I feel closer to God and my relationship to Him is growing daily. This beautiful piano piece has allowed me to meditate on scripture and claim His promises. I am encouraged by the others who have opened up their hearts on your blog. I am richly blessed to be part of this community. We all go through times of hurt and brokenness. I am praying for all the “faceless names” and comments I have read this evening. We don’t have to be lonely! Jesus knows our needs and He is always here for us. I am grateful and have been ministered to in a powerful way this evening.
I love the prayer,writing it out so i can have it to say aloud. my weakness is always not having the confidence to pray aloud
Listening to the music i heard God saying” Be Still”
How blessed this song is, the peace you feel when you close your eyes and listen only to the notes that are being played. what a amazing prayer, and awesome God we have , I think what hinders me the most is not keeping the confidence thtat the Lord will never leave me, especially when I want to sing about his grace, but feel like i’m not good enough in the eyes of others. which should not matter, Need to stay in his word more and quit doubting myself.
I love listening to the piano. This song is so peaceful!!! it forces you to be calm!!
I actually don’t remember doubting myself until this past year, when the stress of my mom’s Alzheimer’s and my dad’s end stage kidney disease took it;s toll on me. Looking back, I can see God put me through these experiences, so I could draw near to him. I am thankful for them now. I see that’s how much he loves me. I am slowly coming back from the dark hole of fear and anxiety, because I am learning he has plans for me, plans to prosper!! : )
I’ve read Chapter One 3 times. All I can say right now is that I haven’t quit yet.
A Song of Prayer is beautiful! I would love to have this playing in the background each day as I go about my responsibilities. It is so relaxing, and encourages me to slow down and experience the Lord in EVERY moment of my day.
Insecurity has kept me from doing many things throughout my life. I’m tired of living in this prison. When doubt whispers it’s lies I feel defeated, discouraged, and depressed. However, I can see the Lord working in my weaknesses. God is so good! His faithfulness endures forever.
I love that you pray God’s promises, Renee. What you said in your post about the blessings of doing such is so true. It reaffirms His truths within our hearts. Thank you for sharing this very practical way of praying to our Lord. God bless you, your family, and your ministry.
Chad’s song bought peace to my heart and soul. I passed it onto my 29 yr old son who has met Jesus before but when his dad died when he was 14yrs old he has been fighting bitterness,guilt, sorrow and anger for such a long time. He himself is a pianist. I pray that it calms his heart and soul as well! Thank you Lord for speaking to us in so many different ways!
Listening to the song just made my heart and mind so peaceful! I felt like God was telling me he is here, he is always here and not matter what I am dealing with he will always be here to help me through it! Love piano music! Makes me feel so relaxed!
Chapter 1 question 1. I remember doubting myself already in grade school. I wanted to be smart, have a lot of friends, be popular and have teachers like me. I feel like I lived so many years of my life being fake. Not being me. Now that I am older I feel I still have a tendency to be fake around some people but I feel lke I am stronger in my Faith and if you can’t like me for who I am then I don’t want you as a friend. It is hard though when you do want to be in a certain group but you just don’t fit in!
My 12 year old son was killed 1 1/2 years ago in a tragic accident. He loved Jesus so much and he would worship often by playing the piano – He played both worship songs he knew and songs he just made up. The piano in our home sits mostly in silence since his death. Chad’s music brought it all back – just how much I miss my son’s worship and I don’t think I realized that when my son played I worshiped with him. Chad’s music has settled my heart into worship this afternoon in such a beautiful way, letting go, filling my soul, allowing God to breathe for me.
God has done a mighty work in me since my son’s death. He has revealed himself intimately and I believe with all my heart in (Rom. 8:28) “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Responding to this post is hard for me. I am very shy and I lack confidence in sharing who I am. I am usually a lurker on blogs, gleaning from others, and yet not feeling confident that I have anything to offer back, that I could encourage other women or that they could learn anything from my experiences.
#7 Jer. 17:7 But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
It has been my prayer in the past few weeks that I would truly learn how to hear God’s voice. God has answered and I have recognized his voice. Now I am learning about obedience and that means being confident in my heart that I am hearing him. I have been amazed at the peace I feel when I trust his voice and obey.
Bless you girl for sharing that!! Wow, you really have my respect!! I am so glad that you got the confidence to share your testimony!! Very touching!! I think your response will touch many women’s hearts!! It did mine!! Bless you!!
God knows just what we need, even when we don’t. Music often speaks when words won’t tell the wornder or glory of the Lord. God loves you and blessed you with his song. Thank you for sharing from your heart! May God richly bless you!
Teresa, I’m so sorry for the loss of your son’s presence and his worship music on the piano. I’m sure this struck a deep chord, but I pray that your sweet testimony and boldness to share (instead of lurk) will be a stepping stone for you and bring healing and minister to others. Thank you for sharing! I am deeply touched…I’m so glad that your prayer to hear God’s voice has been answered and now may you be confident and obey! God bless you and may Chad’s music continue to comfort, bring peace and remembrance that delights your heart as you breathe deeply in God’s presence and your son’s.
Teresa,
You are in my prayers. May God’s peace be with you. I agree with Peggy in saying that I also pray that you will be able to be a help to so many others who are hurting. When you minister to others you are ministering to yourself.
Teresa, sweet sister – thank you for sharing. I love how the Lord just meets us where we are and loves on us and gives us intimacy with Him. I just thank Him tonight that He loves us. Press on Sister! There are women that need you!
My earliest recollection of being insecure was probably at the age of 3. My father died in a car accident and my brother and I were left with my mother who didn’t exactly know how to nurture or embrace us. I suppose that was the beginning of my insecure life.
The chimes at the beginning sounded like God calling me to come. Rest was the word I heard as the meolody quietly took over and the joy of just leaning back in the strength of the Almighty–my hearts longing)
In all knowing that his strength was whispering calm cool refreshment as HE always promises. Thank you.
Kathy Sturgis
As I listened to the song I heard God whisper to me, “be still, listen to My Word, and there is Hope!” In question 5 from chapter 1, I think what hinders me most from living with God-confidence in the work place is the feeling that others take charge and have control over what is decided. The promise that speaks to my greatest need right now would be, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.”