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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Thank you so much Reene for this wonderful journey you are taking us. i too suffer from low self esteem, doubt and insecurities. My parents divorced when i was 3 months old, i never really felt the love of my natural Father because he was never a part of my life. i ended up getting into relationships with guys i thot would fill that gap. i made a lot of mistakes in my haste to get love and i ended up giving away my virginity before marriage. the Guy dumped me afterwards. i have confessed my sins and rededicated my life to Christ but some times i feel God really hasnt forgiven me for all my sins, i feel that i have to try so hard to be forgiven. Thanks to this Study , i begining to realise that God really loves and he is MY FATHER who will never hurt or abandon me.
This music was a much needed blessing! The past two weeks have been very hectic. It is hard to relax sometimes when the week is so unsettled. But I have been pressing in to God and can feel Him close! Satan just tries to make me unable to stop and be still sometimes.
#1 – My earliest memory was when I was really little saying over & over that I am stupid. I was so frustrated that my dad didn’t want me or love me. I wanted to be delighted in so badly! Also, I read really slow and people in Sunday School & regular school made fun of me. I didn’t stop saying I’m stupid until recently, I am 28 now. I say God’s promises out loud when I feel discouraged. I am always amazed when I hear that I am smart or doing good. (Like at my job or at church) It is so nice to hear it! I could soak it in forever 🙂 By pressing in to God, I have noticed an Amazing difference in my confidence already!!!
#2 – It kept me from developing real, deep friendships b/c of fear of rejection. It made me not think I have what it takes to be a leader. It has kept me from doing my best sometimes if it involves other people.
… I have recently made friends & was asked to possibly be a leader at my work 🙂 I cannot believe it still, but by pressing in to God, I know that HE is my Confidence and I am only successful because of Him!!!
This book has been a way for God to change my life in less than a month! Thank you so very much Renee!!!
I realized more than ever the power of praying God’s word when my husband was deployed to Iraq. During a Bible study that focused on praying for our husbands, we discussed how God loves it when we use “His” language to talk to Him. That was a revelation for me that changed my prayer life forever! Thank you Rene’ for being God’s vessel and messenger to us!
What a beautiful song I love it!! What I love is his smiles when he plays, it’s at that moment you know he is hearing from God!! I too am like all of you, I have no confidence in myself or any of my abilities. As I type this i struggle with my job, my kids, my walk with the Lord. I don’t know why I am here n I don’t know why it has to be so darn hard. I heard in the pastors service this morning talk about how we think God doesn’t hear our prayers but in truth HE is ALL OVER IT!! That gave me such hope as far as the job n kids are concerned.
This music is a perfect backdrop to my studies. I think I may listen to it everytime I am having my time with the Lord. It is the beautiful noise I need in the background to keep my mind from wandering.
#6 – I believe that a woman with a confident heart is head strong and heart strong. This is not because of her, but because she is in a relationship with God, she is in His word and because she has moved beyond believing in Him to believing Him.
As others said, I felt Peace and Comfort, the song is like a warm blanket wraping me up in God’s love. I have been slow to get going on this study. Making time for the Lord is something I have always struggled with, I think partially because of confidence! I also have a newborn at home and am struggling to find our new routine and fit time with God in to that but I am determined! And I hope through this study to build confidence that will further encourage that. I have always struggled with confidence all my life. One thing I keep thinking is that lacking confidence as a Christian is selfish! As we have read, we need to have confidence in THE LORD not our self, so when I stumble and show doubt that I think is in him I am really taking Confidence away from HIM! That is what I am going to try and focus on!
This is going to be a great study for me. In doing the questions I am surprised by myself at what comes to my mind right away. I’m really mulling over my responses.
Especially #4 When I read these scriptures I am enveloped with doubt and my self says REALLY????
I feel like I”ve been waiting and hoping all my life and I do feel disappointed. I do know we serve a Good God and he will prove faithful. I need to really know this in my heart. Thank you Renee for putting this together. I’m expecting some changes in myself
Peacefulness!!
I loved the music you posted! I had to work several nights very late so I listened to Pandora. Anytime the words especially spoke to me I wrote the name of the song down. I am building a playlist for our Bible study. Thought I would share the songs: Blessings by Laura Story, Lift me Up by the Afters, You Love me Anyway by Sidewalk Prophets, Before the Morning by Josh Wilson, and My Hope is in You by Aaron Shust. Also this verse was shared in my Life Group this morning: “Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.” Proverbs 30:5
I am going to start a list of God’s promises and a list of God’s character to read and meditate on, especially on the doubting days. God says to think on what is true, lovely, and of good report. It is sometimes the verses that you know so well that you never practice. At least I find that is true of me. Blessed to have this sisterhood all striving to know Him better. I think of us filling a gymnasium and the joy we are bringing to Jesus’ face as we study His words.
I felt a lot of peace listening to the song. I remembered how when I surrender something to God, it’s then well taken care of. It’s no longer a worry of mine. I have to remember this every time something difficult comes up in my life. Because I remember of the reality that God loves me. That God loves us. My trust is rooted in his love for me/us. So I can surrender and dwell in that bubble of peace because of God’s love, his heart of love.
I just listened to the beautiful song. It’s a cold, rainy day here, perfect for staying bundled up on the couch. Early into the piece, I felt like the music was the raining down of the Holy Spirit, full of love and encouragement. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
I loved Romans 8:28 listed in question 4: God has reminded much over the weekend that I have been called according to His purpose. And therefore He will work to my good. Talk about blessed!
My confidence shakes when I forget to rely on Him and His promises for me and try to rely on my own pitiful self instead. Looking forward to reading the next chapter!
God’s peace is amazing…that is what I felt listening to Chad’s song.
A Confident Heart – Chapter 1 Questions
#1 – I have felt insecure most of my life. I second guess all of my decisions, I am learning to trust God and put my hope and trust in Him.
#7 – Jeremiah 17:7 – God promised me that I will be blessed if I trust in Him and place my hope in Him. I claim this and pray this scripture for my life.
This song feels as if I am praying. It reminds me of the verse that talks about the Spirit interceding for us when we know we ought to pray, but only groans come forth.
Beautiful.
Ginny
Thank you for sharing the Song of Prayer….as I sat listening to this and reading the posts about chapter 1, I just felt so at peace. God is so good and I am learning daily to just Trust him….he only wants to show me his unconditional love….I just have to accept it.
I was in pain today. As I listened to this beautiful music, I felt the pain deep in side start to disolve and flow out of my body. I felt totally at peace. I will give thanks to my Lord and Savior. He is always with me.
I felt comfort and peace.
I have been slow in responding this week, but get a rush of energy and enthusiasm for the Lord when ever I open up the book or the emails. I haven’t been able to find a computer yet to listen to the song, but will this week. As for the questions..
#7– I have been able to see this verse in Jeremiah work in heart in just contining to pursue the Lord through this study indepently from those at my church. We are on a different path Isiah 43:19 in seeking out more opportunites to evangelize the love of Jesus and bringing people to the Lord. My cell leader continues to reassure me that leadership is in path, and so continuing here is important to me, and learning how to pray with the Word is new. I haven’t felt compelled in the past to memorize verses but see now how I can really use this in my toolbox. Thanks
Thank you much for this. God is blessing me more than ever
It was a struggle for me to listen to the song. To listen to the Spirit with no distraction not thinking about my mistakes during the week or what needs to be done next. All that I needed to do is listen. And now I just want to listen continuously!
I saw myself standing in a field, with the wind lightly blowing, looking for what direction to take. What way is The Way? Then Jesus was standing there, telling me to come His way, but I still resisted. I was afraid of falling and messing up. But He held out His arms and told it was okay and I didn’t have to go through this alone. I burst into tear and start running to Him with my arm out wanting to hold unto my Father and never let go. I was loved and cherished!!! I have never really felt that way from anyone on this earth! I knew my parents, family and friends loved me, but not with the intensity I felt coming from Him. When I was with Him there was so much peace. I want to hold that in my heart. I am not alone!!!
2 & 5. (This was my answer for both) Insecurity stops me all the time from doing things. I struggle with insecurity everyday. What is my class work is not good enough? What if the professor thinks I am incompetent ? What if my work feels the same way? I try to hide my worries and problems from my friends because I am afraid they will judge and reject me if I not perfect. It consumes my life. I second guess every thing about myself. Am I good enough? Romans 8:28 speaks to me. If you read on to verse 38, Paul states,”If God is for us, who can stand against us.”(vs.31) and then “not ANYTHING in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (vs. 38)
-God is loves and is “works for the good for me.” No matter how unworthy I feel nothing (my insecurity, others opinions of me, etc.) can separate me from that love.
Thank You Sarah, you so touched my heart. Your friend in Christ, Linda
I was not able to listen to the music because my husband is in the same room with me sleeping and I didn’t want to disturb him. I did want to mention the answer to one of my questions on here.
(1) I think my earliest memory of insecurity was when I was a child and felt rejected by the other girls my age at church. Our family was poor and I think we were looked down upon by others in the church. Because of that, my sister and I were never invited to the birthday parties of other girls from church, but we would hear all about them. Then when I was a teenager, my older sisters would make fun of my body. So, I grew up feeling that I was somehow lesser than others and my body wasn’t good enough. My complex about my body caused me to make some poor decisions that I now regret.