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}
_____________________
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.
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
This piano piece sounded like music I expect to hear in Heaven….soothing, peaceful, encouraging, and full of love. What perfect melody for a perfect place to spend eternal life!
Question #2: Insecurity has kept me from relationships with people I view as “better” than me which I base their superiority on earthly values, ie: looks, clothes, status, money, authority, etc. All the wrong things to compare myself to, I know.
Question #6: A woman with a confident heart yearns for God to take control of her life, to direct her in everything, to know Him, to really love Him, joyful, walking daily with Jesus, and increased faith from the Holy Spirit.
“How lovely”, music that is not loud and garish but soft and gentle – as God speaks to us when we listen with all our heart. The repetition to the music seems like God’s Love – how he repeats His love for us by His Grace day in and day out. That love repeating never becomes monotonous but plays out in many ways making a beautiful sound. There were pauses in the music where I could feel the peace flowing over me like a warm summer rain.
I could only think how blessed I am to be able to hear this beautiful music and to lift those up to our Savior those that do not know Him. A fullness fills me that can only say, Thank you Jesus. I am blessed. Song of Prayer is a reminder that there are many ways to pray when we listen to the Holy Spirit and are guided by Him. I was joined by my husband and we listened to the song and gazed around the room at the pictures of loved ones and was further blessed. Today our 39th wedding anniversary……….
Chad, thank you for sharing your prayer with us.
I am feeling so alone since my husband’s death. I have suddenly got that God is always with me and I do not have to fear lonliness.
Hi Debra, yes. God is with you. Allow the Holy Sirit to comfort you and spend time with Him. Hevwill take away your lowliness …I remember when my mom lost my dad. Shevwas very lonely and didn’t know she could lean on God. But you do…Praise the Lord!
Hi Debra,
Yes! God is always with you and you have nothing to fear. Isn’t that a wonderful promise? I lost my husband when I was 32 and had 2 children to take care of. I am so thankful for Gods healing hand as I learned I had nothing to fear. That was 13 years ago and though I will never forget that time I know that God is always there for me. Praises that we know such a wonderful God!
Blessings all… my thoughts but not an entry…
BELOVED, Come away with me. Drink from my Word. Let the words trickle down through the very core of you allowing you to know how very much I love you and want to restore your heart and spirit to be confident and trust in me. Blessed are you, my daughter… as you trust in me, as Lord for your confidence comes from me and is found in me, in my Word, in my sweet Promises to you. Come dance with me! Let your burdens and heartaches go as we dance and I’ll sing over you as you praise and enjoy your time in my arms. Hope in me, you will not be disappointed. Listen to me in the still, quiet place in your heart. Allow your fears to fall and any obstacles that keep you from drawing closer to me. Speak to me and I will listen. Listen closely for my whisper and you will hear me deep within, you will know it is I, who longs to go deeper with you, an intimacy that only comes when we spend time, healing, restoring, rebuilding, holding on to my words as your promises… speak them back to me and I will hear you… in the ‘hear and now’ moments, I am here, I have always been near. Be confident and let your heart be strengthened in me and find peace. Be refreshed and find your worth once more as my Holy Spirit fills you …
I could probably go on for the entire time that Chad plays such a beautifully, peaceful piece!!! He’s inspiring…
Sharing #1. I acted as if I was very CONFIDENT throughout my early years and teen yrs., memories as far back as age 4yr. old. where I was quite bold. However, after graduating from college, is when I had an experience that will always stand out as the one that shook any confidence I had… my confidence was stripped away in a locked ward for 1 week of the psychiatric unit in the hospital where I was born.
Not sure if I doubted myself or felt insecure and my bold confidence was a cover up for the insecurities I had or felt or the rejection or attention I craved desperately. I was raped at age 13, and perhaps one would think that this would have robbed my confidence… I’m sure that it was the start but there were many other consequences and repercussions from that. Then I was raped again 20 yrs. later. Both occurred in
my own home where I lived at the time of each one. Nothing violates you and tears away your confidence more than that. #2. Sadly to say, “yes”… it has often paralyzed me. It keeps me questioning my future security and where I truly place that security and trust. But I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus, my Lord. Forgiveness frees your soul to breathe once again. 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. I have been called and I am serving Him and stepping out in faith since He called me at 13… to living out my purpose and calling now in Mexico with the women and children…
Chad’s music — what a gift!
High school was the toughest
This song washed peace over me and whispered to be still…listen for his voice and be bathed in his truth. Being still and listening is where I struggle the most. Want to start praying more scripture and speaking those truths outloud.
I think one of the most powerful parts of Chapter 1 for me is “when I choose to dwell in the assurance of Whose I am and who I am in Him, I have a confident heart.”
One of my biggest struggles is the doubt that creeps in when the naysayers around me… family and former coworkers… become overly critical. It’s hard to focus on Whose I am or have a confident heart when the insults are flying at you. My parents have ALWAYS been more critical of me than of my siblings despite the fact that I ALWAYS tried so hard to please them. My sister could selfishly screw up and it would be quickly forgotten. I could accomplish something major… and it would be quickly forgotten. My house is never clean enough, my projects never ‘done’ enough, my bills aren’t managed well (HELLO, how do you know?). The doubt started to kick in around 3rd grade, or maybe I just started to notice it then when my classmates got all cliquey. It’s reiterated during every visit home and they wonder why a year passed and we didn’t visit… not intentionally, just always had something more enjoyable to do.
I was in a job position where I was constantly set up for failure. With manager who instead of noticing/listening to individual strengths and capitalizing on them would look for weaknesses to exploit, withhold information, and work around you if they thought it was to their benefit. I’ve changed jobs… but before I did God had someone ‘accidently’ send a revealing message to the wrong person, the contents of the message were personal and revealing… I pray for the man and woman involved in that email, such drama… and it successfully settled my doubts about my performance, the only problem I had was being a manager between them with morals. My new position is part of a WONDERFUL God fearing team… in the real sense of team. Such a blessing!
My confidence is growing in this new environment and I’m able to focus more on Whose I am and who I am in him. I am accepting that I’ll never be number 1 daughter in my parent’s eyes, and while that hurts deeply, it’s their loss… I can only work to not create that same atmosphere for my kids, to make a special effort to recognize each of their talents, reinforce the positive, and develop their confident little hearts.
Very peaceful music. Just what I needed right now…
The music is so beautiful. It brought tears to my eyes. Totally peaceful as if Jesus says “just rest, rest in me.” We just need to stop and wait patiently for Jesus to work all those things out in our life for our good. It also made me think of the question that you asked about how would that confident woman look. The music made me think of her and how she would look. I see her as a beautiful gentle spirit, filled with peace and yet a strong quiet leader filled with joy. Unlike I see myself when I am not confident. When I am not trusting in the Lord I become nervous and anxious, frustrated and cranky with no peace or joy. Such a difference from when we trust the Lord to trying to work things out ourselves. I must strive towards the mark and rest in Him and to be completely trusting in Him and His timing to work things out for good.
Rest..I finally felt rest and peace when I heard this song. The stresses of the day fell off of my shoulders and I shed tears at the peace that overwhelmed my heart. The Lord told me to dwell in Him, in His peace and cast my burdens to Him. He longs to give me this peace always. Thank You Lord for being so faithful.
#5- I focus so often on people pleasing and find my value and worth based on what I think others feel about me. Are my kids happy? Is my husband happy? Did I say the right thing to my friend today? Did I set a bad example? Should I have stopped a little longer to listen to my child? Should I have given more words of encouragement to my husband? Am I worth anything to anybody? But when I read Isaiah 49:23 I know I am not a disappointment because God does not disappoint , and it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me! Amen.
The music is beautiful and tranquil, I will be purchasing it. (No, I don’t have enough confidence to think I would win it). I am a massage therapist and can envision how wonderful it will be for me and my clients.
As for the questions, let me give you the one I want to hide from.
#5 What hinder me most from living with God-confidence? My biggest prayer has been (not always now as there are new things in my heart, or perhaps I am just coming to acceptance), to have someone to share my life with…a husband…one who loves me andwill work on the relaionhp. So far the answer is no. I desire Gods will yet the desires of my heart are unfulfilled. My 4 children (lost through miscarriages, 3 in second trimester) I never got to see alve. I know Christ is my husband until God see to give me one but sometimes one with skin on is so desired. If He isn’t going to give me one than please take away the desire totally and help me be comfortable where I am.
#7 What does our verse of the week promise and encourage me to do?
To grow my trst in God. To place my confidence in Him and believe I am His- called by Him, created in my mothers womb by God Himself. To trust in His love even when I don’t feel it.
I feel encouraged and hopeful when god speaks his promises to me including some of my favorites I can do all things who Christ who strengthens me, I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future, and come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest. resting in god’s promises is something that god is working on my heart to do on a more consistent basis.
Jeremiah 17:7 promises that if you trust and put your hope and confidence in him that he wiil bless you. To live in the power of this promise I need to come to and surrender all my worries and fears to him instead of trying to handle things on my own. I also need to pray god’s word and seek his will.
There is a song called my hope is in you that has been speaking to me and I wanted to share some of the lyrics as they do go along with our study.
My hope is in you, lord
All the day long
I won’t be shaken by drought or storm
A peace that passes understanding is my song
And I sing my hope is in you, lord
I will wait on you
You are my refuge
The music is absolutely beautiful. It is calming, quieting, and focusing. You can listen and feel so at peace, so relaxed, and focus on God’s truth. You can almost feel God’s love through the music, Thank you so much for sharing such an astounding, special video.
My earliest memory of insecurity came when dealing with my Dad and his new family. My mother and father were teenage parents but they never got married. He later a married woman with 5 kids. He rarely talked to me or came to see me. I always felt like i wasnt enough for him to love consistantly. I watched Him my whole life take care of kids that werent his and leave me behind. So i did whatever i could to fit in with friends and church people when my mother got saved. Even if they were bad for me i just didnt want to be left behind. “You’re not enough” plagued my thoughts daily. When i got saved, i thought i would be whole but i just transferred what i felt about my dad to God. I never felt like i was enough for God to use for anything…..let alone to minister to others. My heart and mind is still healing, but i thank God for loving me through my heart ache. He will never leave me, my heart is safe in His hands.
Amen Nikki! He anticipated your life and planned it!
I absolutely love the piano prayer song! I felt peaceful and started praising Jesus, then I recognized him playing “what can wash away my sins?, nothing but the blood of Jesus.” I loved how he would start to put his hand in one place and then moved it to another. He seemed really in tune with the Holy Spirit!
Ok, the answer to a couple of questions. Well my earliest memory of feeling insecure was when I was 4. My parents left me to spend the night with my grandma. Daddy took Mama to the hospital to get my new baby sister. When they came back to get me and mama was holding my sister, I wasn’t sure if I was wanted anymore. I thought I had to keep staying with my grandma.
How I would describe a woman with a confident heart is one who trusts in God and can perform the duties He asks her to do. I have missed opportunities due to doubt and fears, but I want to overcome that and be able to do and trust no matter what happens or what he asks me to do.
Blessings,
Michele S.
#4. All Things are possible to him/her that who believes. I am blessed to have a God where nothing is impossible. Not only do I believe in God I believe God. If I pray asking God to work in my situation-(i.e insecurity, fear, lack of confidence) and I trust God with my life He will be at work.
#1-Feeling insecure has been a part of me for a very long time because i never felt as if I could live up to the expectations of others for me.
#4-I can feel encouraged that God does want me to live a confident life and that He will equip me to live that way. “All things ARE possible to (her) who believes”
I can already feel something stirring inside of me, and I know that it is God who wants to transform me…making me a woman with a confident hear.
whoops i meant heart…..lol
I,too, am full of low self esteem. I feel like I am never good or smart enough even though I have returned to school to pursue my passion of working with domestic violence victims. My first marriage was full of control and emotional abuse at the hands of my husband. I stayed for eight years because I believe in the institution of marriage and for the sake of my child. However, I finally left because I knew if I didn’t I was going to lose my mind. Even now, even though I am now married to a wonderful man, I still feel unlovable. I want to become that confident woman of God. God created me for who I am, and I know He loves me totally. I love God, but I believe I disappoint Him. I want to be the awesome Child of God He created me to be. It is my daily prayer that everyone in this study become the same.
Mary, wow! This reminded me of the Beth Moore study, Loving Well….one of the questions in the study that just hit home so much with me was – God asking – “Do you think you need to prove yourself lovable to Me? Deep down inside, are you trying to earn my love and attention?? To whom have you compared Me and to whom have you confused Me?……”I’m not like them”. Abba Father!! Amen and Amen! This was a turning point for me in internalizing God’s love for me. I had NEVER realized that I was trying to prove myself lovable, trying to earn His love, attention and that I was comparing Him to my father and my ex husband. You sweet Sister, are an awesome child of God!
5- disappoint, fear & sorrow keep me from being patient for tommorw. Lack orf patience is my selfish sin that kept me from truly living from within. My son abducted 15 years ago – I had almost given up waiting when God gave me a sign to keep me holding for a while. Just enough hope to give me strength , just enough grace like the manna given when lead out of Egypt. My son brought back 3 years ago – i praised the Lord & started to move on. I knew we had a long road ahead with all the baggage he had. Abandoned by the one who took him, he searched for significance in gang life & found God in prison – my only wish to have true healing & God reigning in his life – it seemed such a blessing. We spent our first Christmas a year ago & i had such hopes as my Mothers day gift. Then a month later he pushed us aside without an explantion – I proclaimed Gods promises & truths to get me through but recently the sorrow had taken my patience away. I gave it up so easily – not sure how or why but this study was God’s blessing to my life. My hope restored to affirm God’s truths. I give praise now as he’s always here at my side – his love sufficient for my life. . I know I felt abandoned by my son but God has reminded me I am not alone, God is here & hes provided me the tools & the biblical fellowship all around to carry me back to the place I was of obedience, patience & trust. I proclaim his healing power over my life & praise him for what he is & will do in my life as well as you all.
What a wonderful way to relax after a busy work week. I need the quiet to remind me that I am loved by God and He is the one who should be most important in my life. Isaiah 43:19 promises He will be with me in my desert. I so need that in my life. I feel so unworthy at a wife, mother and friend. I pray this study will change my heart and give me the confidence to know that I am loved by God no matter what. My desire is to change and to really Believe Him.