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.
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So beautiful! I just closed my eyes and let it be a prayer to God while I listened.
The main thing I’ve realized so far in the study is that although I believe the word of God, I gave up a while ago in believeing that it would ever work for me. I did all I could do and things just never get better. I keep hoping for a better life but things just don’t change. I know His word is true, but it doesn’t work for me.
Denise I will be praying for you. I feel very sad as I read your post. I was once like that.
What I started doing was calling God on his word. As I prayed my situation to him, I told him very
boldly but respectfully that God you SAID this about me and you SAID I was this to you, Lord
these are the things I have need of. This is what is going on in my family and my life Lord and
it doesn’t line up with your word. As you make a commitment to release it to God you will little by little
see change. And as you grow in the Lord you will have more confidence that his word is for you as well.
Be careful what you speak out of your mouth. Speak you change. What we do or say is a seed sown and it will reap a harvest. Everything that God did he spoke. The bible says what we bind and loose on earth is bound and loosed in heaven. Find scripture and speak out loud to your circumstance. This is our Mouth. We are so good at cursing ourselves with our mouth, why not bless and bring life to
our circumstance with our mouth. Gods word say life and death is in the POWER of our tongue. Start speaking life and don’t faint (meaning that no matter what it looks like you press on with what you are doing and speaking for change) please e-mail me any time you need encouragement. [email protected]
Found such incredible peace and calm in listening to this! I am dealing with anxieties in my life right now that I KNOW in my heart God will take care of in His time but for some reason, that one part of my brain that I can’t control won’t let it go. This is causing physical issues that affect me during the day and are causing me sleepless nights. As I close my eyes and just listen, my mind feels like it can just let go of everything…like I could just find that rest and stillness that I so desperately need right now. Definitely going to download this one and take that time to just listen to this beautiful music whenever I feel the need and let God speak to my heart.
Melissa…praying for you! It is hard for the brain to catch up to the knowledge our hearts hold, but I pray that you will press forward to your Savior and allow Him to fill you with His confidence.
What a beautiful gift to enjoy on a beautiful Saturday morning. I’m up early with the window blinds open watching the sun come up and thanking God that I have this time with Him. In my hectic, busy, whirlwind life He blesses me with this time to relax and bring everything on my heart to HIm. Thank you Jesus. Following Renee’s suggestion to pray out loud and hearing Chad’s inspiration through music made me want to sing my prayers and sing the Bible verses I find inspiring. Sing a joyful noise unto The Lord!
My first memories of being insecure were from my childhood, although I can’t pinpoint the age. I just remember that because of my parent’s divorce I was pulled in so many directions, trying to please this family and that, I just always felt insecure about my place in the world. I’m praying that God will show me his way and give me confidence to be the Godly wife and mother he wants me to be. Looking to Him for strength and guidance and confidence in my marriage and family. I don’t want my children to ever feel those insecurities.
Thank you Jesus for this time to reflect and pray.
This is so beautiful. As I closed my eyes and listened I felt like Jesus and I were just strolling along in the woods together. It wasn’t a coming together for a “what can you do for me Jesus” but just simply a joy in being together. We strolled sometimes in silence, sometime sharing, often pausing to delight in the creation that surrounded us. When the first big intense part came with lots of repetition, I felt like we were near a waterfall just flowing down. Made me thinkg of HInds Feet in High Places where the water drops willingly offered themselved, pouring themselves down the waterfall in worship. Am off to go download a copy for myself. Then if I do happen to win, I can share this with someone else 🙂
Thank you!! j
Beautiful. I had also a feeling of nature. like when you see the nature stations and you see where they fast forward the blooming of a flower? That’s what I felt like. Thinking if the Holy Spirit gave him this beautiful piece how much more beautiful the music of heaven is, and wanting the blessing to hear it
That song was truly inspiring and beautiful what an amazing gift of God thanks for sharing with us!! Praying for you Renee may God bless you and multiply your every effort!!
This is totally awesome. Music has the ability to reach the soul when words fail. There is a peacefulness and yet a gentle excitement that i feel here. God often gives me words and music of my own when i’m going through trials in my life. He gives me awesome songs of encouragement, hope and the assurance that He is always with me no matter what. He will never leave me or forsake me. I especially sense God’s tenderness through Chad’s song of prayer. It calmed my heart. Thank you Chad and Renee for sharing. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!
Wow….what a God-given talent He has. It puts you right in the throne room. Is was so calming and relaxing, just what I needed for a busy work day and busy night! A great way to get in the spirit before bed. Thank you for sharing Renee!! Have a blessed weekend on your conference! God is with you leading you. I am praying for you!
Such a peaceful piece of music…. allowed me to pray and just be real. To just sit and feel the warmth of Jesus’ touch and know that everything will be alright because I’m in His hands… I’m in His will and He is in control…. It was wonderful…
As for the questions, a confident woman is one that is not afraid or ashamed to be real. To understand our limitations, or imperfections but still feel important and capable to make a difference! To realize our confidence is in God.
Oh how this music takes me to a place of comfort and peace in the presence of my loving Heavenly Father…especially at the end of the day. 🙂
That was beautiful. I just closed my eyes and listened. I imagined myself dancing a song of prayer to God as he played. What came to mind as he was playing was how God’s Word is an anchor for my soul. His Word establishes and settles me so that when I pray His Word I know that he hears me. I do not feel like I am praying arbitrarily. I can have peace because He is the same and never changes. Thanks for sharing Chad’s music. Loved it!!!
As I listened to this music, my first thought was how fitting it was to receive this gift today, on my Dad’s birthday! You see, my Dad passed away in January, 2011. He had such a love for music of all kinds …. classical, blue grass, gospel, Big Band. Our best connection came through music, so in a way, listening to the music today helped me recall all those precious memories God blessed me with through music and in other ways. I can just picture him listening to this music and delighting in it! I am confident he has been enjoying heavenly music, but tonight I got to experience it with him as I listened to Chad! So thank you from the depths of my heart for sharing this music today.
In answer to a couple of questions from chapter 1:
#1 One of my earliest memories of doubting myself would be in junior high school. I was a bit disorganized, clumsy, accident prone, and not very coordinated. I remember peers calling attention to my clumsiness and lack of grace, and was on the receiving end of many unkind and intimidating remarks from girls during PE who were more athletic and self-assured. Needless to say, PE was not my favorite class and I don’t have many good memories about school dances! 🙂
#6 I would describe a woman with a confident heart as someone who doesn’t just believe IN GOD, but believes God …. she lives, breathes, and walks in the security of God’s Word.
It brought peace. I want to listen to it when I am going to sleep. I got a taste of putting my hope in God and not in humans. I had an experiance that could have destroyed my hope, but my hope and confidence is not in humans, but in God.
The piano blesses me beyond measure…I heard a cord that sounded like “nothing but the blood of Jesus” & I was humbled…I have been running in circles for so long, spinning 15 plates in the air & 1 by 1 they are falling down now- interestingly, I am a leader in every aspect of my life- work, family, friends, ministry…but on the inside I am so very empty without God’s love. Chad’s music calmed my soul & gave me insight into the sin of omission in my life- not seeking Him daily to fill my emptiness- the blood of Jesus has already washed away my sins! This is my 2nd time to read your book- chapter 1 is awesome- a few answers to share- my parents divorced when I was 3- I have sought my father’s love & acceptance my whole 35 years. So I can remember being as young as 6 or 7 and my dad not giving me the “time of day.” He remarried, had another child, and I was no longer important it seemed. I still struggle with this insecurity. I began stuttering when I was that same age- I still stutter or can’t talk at all in social situations- I am an introvert. I guess still very insecure- most think I am a well educated, beautiful young woman, succeeding in every area of my life. But it’s much deeper. I wear a great mask! Answers- here is my BIGGEST problem with #4 & #5- I KNOW God has great plans & created me in His image, ect- what I don’t trust in is myself. I don’t have faith that I will ever get out of this cycle of insecurity to ALLOW God to fulfill His plans for me. But, as Stormie Omartian says in Power of a Praying Woman p. 29- with continued daily prayer & Bible study, He will speak to me. She puts it like this “It takes a while to get the enormous ocean liner of your life turned around and headed in a different direction.” & “Giving up is not an option.” “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9- Bless you Renee!
I sit with eyes closed listening to Chad play. With tears falling I see myself in a field running and jumping and the Lord letting me know that I can be free. Free to do all the things that I have longed for. Free to be free in HIM. I have always been very quiet and shy. Afraid to do anything that makes me stand out. Always just being in the background. The Lord is telling me to break loose. Let Him help me to feel…really feel and be free! He wants to heal me of all the broken places all the hurts in my life. He wants to give me the peace, the reassurance and the confidence I need to really be free!!
Insecurity has kept me from just being me. I have always wanted to just be able to walk into a room of people, that I know care about me, and give them a hug and just say I love you without those people doing it first. I say most every week, to myself, this is the week I am going to walk in with confidence and say Hi, and hug them all! Insecurity has kept me from just about everything good my whole life.
My earliest memory of self doubt and feeling insecure was my first day in kindergarten. I cried from the time I got on the school grounds. I was scared to death and knew I would never live through it.
Listening to this song I am reminded that I am my Fathers daughter. I am reminded that God loves me even when I “fail Him” or let him down. My earthly father has hurt me deeply in life and turned his back on me when I let him down….my Heavenly Father loves me unconditionaly. I often have doubts in myself and abilities due to my abusive childhood. Its reassuring to know that my Heavenly Father never doubts me or my abilities. He knows that He has planned in my life and “pushes” me to see what He sees….I see through my friends, my family, songs such as this and sometimes even complete strangers. Problem is sometimes I close my eyes and ears to what He is telling me….this song reminds me to be still and listen to His “still small voice”. Many have abused me, left me, lied to me or hurt me in life but He will never do any of the previous things to me….He loves me and will not leave me. I need to remember these things when I am feeling alone or feeling a lack of confidence in myself. I am so good at helping others through their insecurities and “problems” but not good at helping myself. I dont open up to those around me easy or trust many….but I am slowely learning to trust in God with my wounds and feelings. I will make it one day and God will be there cheering me on saying “good job my beautiful daughter….I knew you could do it. I never lost faith in you”
My first memory of feeling low on myself and doubting myself or those around me was when I was 5 years old. Thats when the abuse started and I felt so alone….I started thinking that no one cared so why should I at a very early age. I was abused in so many ways and by so many people growing up and eventually started to abuse myself. I have since forgiven those that had abused me and know that God carried me during those times. I have since turned my pain into a way of helping women and young girls who go through abuse such as mine….but there are times that I still sit back and mourn for that little girl who at 5 years old learned what pain and suffereing is…who grew up way before her time and lost her childhood. I dont feel sorry for myself by any means but I hurt for the 5 year old in me who to this day still doesnt trust easy.
This music is definitely God given and inspired. I am overwhelmed right now with an unexpected move; an inability to take off work and am totally distracted. However I am able to relax with this; my mind is completely on the music . My book has been ordered but not recieved yet so I do hope that I can still participate in the drawing; I would be honored to recieve this CD. Thank you for sharing your precious gift and being open and vulnerable.
As the music began very slow and deliberate, I equated that with hesitancy and doubt. As it continued with the more fast movement, I felt a sense of conflict and doubt. As the music progressed into a more melodic movement, I felt a sense of peace and contentment which should be in the heart of a confident woman whose hope and confidence is in the Lord. Music speaks to my heart in ways that human words cannot. Thanks for sharing. My first feeling of insecurity came as a little girl when I would overhear my parents argue as I now know all spouses do. I would become very scared and insecure and fear that every argument would result in my parents splitting up and I would be forced to make a decision about which parent I wanted to live with. I knew that would be a difficult decision because I loved them both for different reasons and in different ways. My parents had a happy marriage and never split up, but I remember feeling very insecure and fearful that this would happen. A confident woman is one who believes and trusts God’s promises fully.
As I listen to the piano music it calmed my soul and the whole atmosphere in my living room with my son and my husband, it is such beautiful music to listen to. God has blessed Chad with such a talent and he is sharing it with all of us inspired by the Holy Spirit. I always think of King David and his love for music and knowing he praised God with his music. Chads playing is very calming to your soul~~~thank you for the gift of his music to us. I am not musically inclined but I love to sing even if it is off key so when I sing outloud to God I feel so close to Him like when you pray outloud.
My first memory of doubting myself and feeling insecure was when I had to walk to kindergarten by myself because there were other little ones at home, soon the neighbor girl would go with me but when she didn’t I was feeling very unsure of myself~~~also when I was held back in second grade, I had to leave my friends and go on to another class I didn’t know, it was awful, I remember it as if it was yesterday. Also the last day of school when I found out I didn’t pass was on my birthday, June 10th and I thought all day that I was not going to get a birthday present, but I did, my first Barbie doll.
Renee, have a beautiful weekend~~~~~Sue
I needed to be reminded that praying God’s Word is where it’s at.
Thank you.
Have a lovely weekend!
– Kate 🙂
Awesome!! So peaceful and calming. Listening to this piece with closed eyes, I could feel God’s arms around me telling me everything will be alright. My husband recently passed away and I am so lost. I felt like I was floating on clouds and God was reassuring me of His love for me. I know my husband is with the Lord and one day we will be together again. But until then, God has plans for me and I can’t give up. I first felt insecure at the age of 5 when my mother became very ill. She had my baby bother , he came home from the hospital but Moma didn’t. She was hospitalized for over a month before coming home but her sickness remained. I watched my mother struggle everyday of her life for over 30 years before the Lord called her home. I pray that this study will help me have more confidence and thank you renee for sharing this study and chad’s beautiful music. I look forward to a “confident me.”