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Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

Read An Excerpt: Chapter 1 & 2

The Power of Praying God’s Promises

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.

Yes, even if it seems weird. Find somewhere you can be alone to speak these truths so you can hear them, and let them echo in your thoughts.

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 join our hearts and pray Chapter One’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}

_____________________

{Special FREE Gift & GiveAway}

 

Chad Lawson, my friend, award-winning composer and pianist, has graciously shared his beautiful, Spirit-filled Song of Prayer below. 

Even though it will probably be hard at first to sit still and just listen, please pause to soak in this God-gift.  This was filmed while Chad sat and listened to the Holy Spirit. He simply played what God laid on his heart. You’ll see the joy of Christ in Chad’s smile but more than anything, you will experience the peace of God’s presence through his music.

If you’re reading this via email please click here to visit my website to watch. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this – I promise.

You can find and download A Song of Prayer on iTunes for  ($1.99) or Amazon ($.89)

{Special 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.

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.

Comments

  1. As this music reaches into my soul, I am experiencing a longing from deep within….

  2. My 16 year old daughter and I lay down after a long, rough morning, I started the music and felt this peace. I asked Sara, how does the music make you feel…she answered….”Peace, it’s so soothing..” we loved it.

  3. I was so relaxed I almost fell asleep and I felt a great deal of warmth and comfort as I listened to it. I listen to spiritual music every day when I meditate and I will add this to my collection when I sit in silence and pray. I was very touched and felt the Lord come to me with his comforting arms and his presence was with me through the healing and warmth I felt in my hands. The music was very powerful and awesome and I thank Chris and I thank Renee. I was very blessed to have heard the music and will listen to it over and over every day

  4. I felt like God whispered in my ear ” Do not be afraid, for I am with you, you are not alone, for I am with you. You are beautiful in my eyes! It is so hard to feel like you are alone even though there are plenty of people by your side. I felt like it was my time to reconnect with God, to let go and let God! Reading the book, the comments, listening to the song, everything about this book tells me that I AM NOT ALONE, I AM HIS PRINCESS! WE ARE ALL HIS PRINCESSES!!!

  5. I am forever blessed God has brought me down this path, through all my fears, self-doubt, pain and struggles this study was God working to transform me totally. God has away of opening your eyes to a bigger picture and what really is the most important thing in life. To be still and truly allow God to take you by the hand and walk this journey, giving all of our worries to him. He will never leave us or forsake us. Thank you for sharing such a blessing of peace and comfort through this talented musician, it was so amazing to feel the power of the Holy Spirit just move me.

  6. Truly amazing and filled with the spirit of God. I can hear God through out at times he’s loud and passionate and other times he is calm and quite but never silent. I could feel his presence near because I took the time to be still and listen. I think that’s the most powerful thing and really what God wants to teach me right now. That no matter what my circumstances I must always remember he is there for me waiting for me to turn to him. When I can’t feel him near I need to stop and be still and seek him. Stop relying on myself and more on him. For the plans that he has for my life is far better than those that I could think up on my own. He’s asking me to surrender all not just the hard stuff but the simple give it all to him and let go and allow his will to be done in my life.

  7. I closed my eyes as I listened. And scriptures just kept popping into my head, one right after the other…about how much God loves me, is with me always, will never leave me nor forsake me. I imagined myself in the middle of a big field of flowers…lying there…looking up into the heavens. Smiling at God. When the music became more forceful, but yet still peaceful, I imagined myself still in that field….a rain falling down on me- His GRACE falling down on me. It was a refreshing, peaceful feeling.

  8. My free-flowing response in prayer as I listened…seemed appropriate given the music’s origin. Peace to all.
    The Lord is Good. He dwells in His sanctuary. With a tender voice He calls to us. He waits patiently. He hears our cries. There is joy, peace, strength in His presence, in the shadow of His wings. There is joy in His presence! Be still and know…I AM GOD. Dance before me. Gently, peacefully, glide. Be in my arms. Revel in my presence. There is joy, peace…wonderment. You are mine. I am here for time with YOU. Come walk with Me, in the green pastures, beside the still waters, I am with you. Hear my Spirit, I am with you. There are beautiful and wonderful things happening around you, happening in and through you…be open to them, EMBRACE them with all that you are, all that I CREATED YOU TO BE…you are mine and I put you here for this special moment and time. Embrace it…you are loved. In the still, quiet voice you hear me calling you near…so near, to a tenderness you may have never known…or have forgotten in the passing of time. It is still here. I am still here. Draw near to me, and I will draw near to you. AS the deer seeks water, so thirst for ME and my WORD. We will quench your thirst, satisfy your soul, bring you ever nearer to a love with no end or limits. A love that surpasses all you could ever hope for or imagine. You hear me. Please risk it and take that first step toward me. I am the ONE who loves you…perfectly…with an everlasting love…Come before me with singing, with joy in my presence, let us celebrate together… You are MY CHILD…Let that sink in, let it mend, let it still your heart …and bring peace to your mind…in the still, quiet, you will find me…if you but search for me as for silver or gold…I WILL BE FOUND…by you. Even you, the breath I breathe, I give to you, to instill in you a sense of ME. Let my Spirit live in and through you…it will bring joy, adventure, peace, that you have never known. Lord, bring your rain into my life. It can satisfy my soul like no other. Open my heart and mind and spirit to what you have in store for me. May I see it, sense it, hear it, follow it. It is a refreshing, life-giving, rain…flowing through my heart, cleansing the mud, make it clear now, Lord. Just in that moment, in that time, breathe on me. Father, in the space that you have given me, may I live daily, fully, for you and your son Jesus Christ, the ONE who knows me and loves me…who knows each one of us…and chose to take up that CROSS, knowing everything about us and loving us and the Father enough to face that pain, rejection, suffering, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. It’s in His name I pray, Amen.

  9. Very beautiful and soothing. A relaxing way to soak up God! Makes you slow down in the business of life!

  11. My heart and soul feel the love… thank you so much for sharing the Holy Spirit’s gifts to you, with us. ..

    “To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.” – Psalms 30:12

  12. I had the awesome feeling that God was sitting down beside me, just encouraging me to spend time with Him alone…not to worry about the laundry, or what I should cook for dinner, but just to meditate on His greatness and endless love for me and to take hope in His promises that He is enough, and that in Him, I too, am enough and have enough. I literally felt His presence all around me! Thank you for sharing.

  13. I felt God whisper to me,” You my daughter can do this. Trust me. Trust me. ”
    Reading a prayer out loud during this music is powerful- thank you Chris. Thank you Renee.

  15. Peaceful and I think we need times like this, to help fix our minds on Christ.

  17. This music was relaxing and inspiring. I really enjoyed seeing his expressions change from thoughtful to joyful. Thank you for sharing.

  18. I felt God come down and wrap his arms of comfort around me and just was there!

  19. Thanks for sharing this, Melissa, I felt peace in my heart as I listened and prayed. The Lord spoke to me and I felt His love. What a beautiful experience.

  20. Absolutely beautiful. It’s hard to believe that a song can make the world stand still; but that’s exactly what this song does. Thank you Chad for taking the time to listen and then passing it along for others to enjoy. It’s a humble reminder that regardless of our busy lives, God is always right there through it all.

  21. This has been my only time of peace this week. It’s been a tough one with a dad from our little church committing suicide Easter Sunday night. My family and I have been at their house much of the week doing what we can. After a day or two I was in panic attack mode since I’m in counseling for depression. Anyway, it’s been a tough week and this song, this beautiful music really ministered to me. There is so much “self” in my life and it really frustrates me. The depression I hate…but God says to me that it’s ok to feel bad. It’s ok to hurt because healing will follow it. Thanks so much for sharing this video. I needed it badly. <3

    • Thank You for sharing your heart and your experience. Although not going through the same situation I can relate to what you are saying. I am thrilled that healing will follow. Thank you for the encouragement. Needed it!

  22. It made me thing of who the Spirit of God moved across the water in Creation.

  24. I was checking my e mail as I was starting supper and thought OK, I will open this while I cook. I have to say it was a blessing to me, as I had had a hectic day at work today. It is very calming. What a gift he has!
    Thank you for sharing with us, so glad I took the time, it certainly dialed me down a notch in the stress level.

  25. Absolutely amazing !! I felt so calm and renewed. Felt like the music I would hear as i was walking through
    Heaven’s gates.

  26. Come and rest with me, delight in my peace and protection. The music speaks to me of patient confidence.

  27. Peace. We sometimes think we will find God in the busy days of our lives, but when we stop and listen we will find he whispers sweet peace to our hearts and minds. Beatiful music.

  29. I’ll never forget the morning I woke up to the voice of the enemy, just discouragement all around me speaking lies, like: “you’ll never get over your past,” and “you pray, and pray but nothing has changed, you’re still just as broken.” After listening for far too long to what clearly was NOT my Father’s voice, I sat on the edge of my bed and began to say, aloud, “i WILL bless the Lord at SULK times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boat in the Lord, the humble shall hear thereof and be glad.” I then cracked open Psalm 34 and continued aloud, “Magnify the Lord WITH me, and let us exalt His name TOGETHER.” That was the first time I recognized this verse as a call to corporate worship. I worshipped with friends and surely the following verse (Psalm 34:4) became true: I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. His Word is true, ladies! Speak it. Pray it. Live it!

    • Thank You for this post. Yesterday and today were Hellish days for me, my emotions and thoughts were not at peace and not with the Lord. I think the enemy must know that I am trying to do a New Thing in conjunction with God and He is fighting me all the way, not wanting this endeavor to be successful.

  30. I sensed God saying “Be still and know that I am God. Trust me because I love you with an unfailing Love. Rest in my love, because you are my beloved” Awesome music to be able to enter into His presence!

    • Alison
      We seem to sense the same with this song…love when Gods kids are in the same spirit…

      Blessings to you…

  32. After suffering two major losses in my life in the last year…..I feel like I have pulled away from people. Life has hurt very bad. I have held onto God through it all but…..my confidence to step back into life is hard. I have signed up to volunteer at my church again. I pray for the confidence to be used by God.

    • Saying a prayer for you. I understand loss. My God bless you with confidence and peace.

    • Father God,

      I lift Carol up to you and ask that you would wrap your arms around her and let her just soak in your love, your comfort, your peace and your grace. Fill her with your confidence and love and let her know that you love her with an unending unfailing love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

  33. Felt the love of God into my heart. His peace and relaxing in His Holy Spirit. As I am working to have confidence and break down the lies satan has told me in my heart it was so relaxing and I felt the Holy Spirit just covering me in peace while breaking down the walls of my heart. Thank you for listening to God and sharing this.

  34. How beautiful and calming! Makes me want to continue to sit and bask in the arms of my Father and have Him whisper how much He loves me. I will play this song whenever I feel I’m spinning out of control and need to just sit back and enjoy my time with God. No thoughts of what I should be doing, only thoughts of my sweet Jesus!

  35. It reminded me of spending time alone with God, listening to His Awesomeness through talented people like Chad Lawson. My closest time in prayer and meditation came when playing this type of music. It was God’s call to me to come back to spending time with Him. Thank you so ver much, for allowing me this time with God again.

  39. This music is soooo soothing….. I was reading the prayer while listening to the music and I just kept repeating the promises….I just loved it… Gonna download this…… Thanks

  40. Wonderful, spirit filled and relaxing. Would love to hear this sitting out in nature

    • Amen Delora. I made me feel like he has really forgiven me of my past. What a strange feeling to really feel His Love with your whole body.

  41. I simply loved this piece of music and it simply soothes my soul. It is just the type of music I can listen to during my own quiet time.

  42. I am at such a special time in my life. New, wonderful love and buying my very first house on my own. As a single female, I feel so blessed to be able to accomplish that! I hear and see every little detail God is working out for me. Every time something new and unexpected happens, I can’t wait to share it with my Jesus peeps. Reminds me that after several hard life struggles, I really am moving forward with A Confident Heart!

    • I can remember the first time I bought my home as a single woman. What a sense of accomplishment
      Enjoy your blessings and continue to give God all the praise!

  43. Wow I havealways believed in God and tried to walk a good life with God…Recently a personal situation has caused me self doubt on most levels… and never before has my Faith been rocked…I am double hurting… as I am ashamed to admit to God, and for not being strong enough to fight this struggle alone

    this wa so peaceful yet encouraged me to feel I can do this, not alone but as always with God

    • Sonja,

      You are not alone! I have been where you are and God has shown me His great love for me during those times…thankfully, we don’t have to be strong enough to fight our battles…God said the battles are His and He is mighty to save! Please keep on for the Lord during these times when you feel weak…when we are weak, He is strong!

  44. Whatever you are going though, God is with you. He knows, he cares, he sees, he touches, he heals. He knows the full story. He knows your disappointments, he knows your pain, he sees your hurts, but his love is greater than any of those things. Come and rest in him. He’s close to the broken heartred. Let him bind up your wounds and make you new. Come to me all who are weary, and I will give you rest….

    • I re-wrote this, Emily, as God speaking personally to me. I changed the you to me, added my name, etc. While listening to this beautiful music! I needed this. Thank you

  45. This song is so peaceful. I heard God whispering to me “My peace I give you, be full of Joy for I am with you”. Thank you for this!

  46. Wow! What an amazing video by this talented musician. This is unlike anything else I have ever heard before. I found the music to be very soothing and peaceful. I could sense the Holy Spirit wad inside him. So glad the Lord led ne to this site today to hear this unique prayer. I have always wanted to learn how to okay the piano and it will remain on my bucket list until I obtain the goal. I felt so much at peace when I listened to it and it helped me forget about my problems temporarily. I love his smile too! Thanks for sharing this today.

  48. Come away with me my bride….Sit along side me and let me love you with my everlasting love…I adore you and I am so please that you are mine…..Be still! Then I see me sitting upon my Fathers Lap with his stron arms around me holding me close to his heart…

  49. I know God has been telling me for years to let go and let Him. Maybe I finally can now.

    • Lisa, hon, i have prayed for you. continue to speak His truth over your life. you CAN now b/c u can do ALL things thru Christ who strengthens u!

    • This has also been the biggest struggle I’ve had. I hate feeling not in control, yet not allowing God to take over causes excessive stress and worry in my life. I too hope that through this I can learn to let go and let God.

      • Hi Erica, I feel the same way. I want to learn to let go and let God but it is hard for me I feel lost when I don’t feel in control and also scared of what will happen. I’m praying for you and all of us in the study to learn with a Confident Heart. In Gods love . Amen

  50. I love being on this journey for a confident heart. Thank you Lord for bringing this to me. Help me hunger for your word. I love you Lord.

    • First of all I like to Thank our Heavenly Father for Renee for sharing this book A Confident Hear. And for all the women who are sharing there thoughts. I was kind of doubting to even start the work book. I’m glad I id just like Lisa who shared her thoughts I feel he same way always trying to do things my way and not letting God do it. I know after getting started with this work book I know I will always depend on Gods help in everything that I do. I will pray Gods promises over my life and all the other women who have started this work book. Thank you Jesus.

    • A Song of Prayer was very uplifiting, very peace-filled. It gave me a sense of “be still and know that I am God!”

    • Thank you for sharing the music it is so peaceful. I need to put that on my computer at work and just let it play all day long. Thanks again.

      • I am doing the same in my home office. I feel that I will be more focused and efficient. I am blessed to be on this journey.