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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Beautiful reflection of the music of God’s heart. Music stirs our hearts and brings us into God’s presence like nothing else can. Praise Him for the gift of music and the people he blesses which such indescribable talent.
Two years ago this month I had a miscarriage. I thought that I had worked through my grief, but when my husband’s grandmother passed away this month I was so broken hearted, for her and for my baby. But today when I listened to this song, God gave me a picture in my mind of Grandma and my Son running through this beautiful field. I sensed God telling me that it needs to be well with my soul. That they are happy, healthy, and safe. It brought a smile to my face.
Lord, thank you for your love for me. For caring enough about my feelings that you would allow me to have this wonderful picture in my mind. Great Physician heal my broken heart today. Allow me to sit in your presense and feel joy again. In Jesus name, Amen.
Thank you Pam
When i listened to the music i felt sad. I’m still grieving the loss of my best friend. When i read your post about your grandma and son happy and running thru fields i remembered that Lolli, my friend is finally with her husband. She missed him till the day she died. You have helped me remember that she is happy now and i need to be happy for her
God bless you for sharing so generously. Imagine how much we will learn throughout this study. Thank you Renee for this opportunity to share with my Sisters in Christ.
hi Pam I too, struggle with loss of a child. I will pray for you, sister
How Peaceful just close your eyes and picture when we will meet our Heavenly Father. Its so Beautiful.
I listen to this and am reminded to slow down, let God choose the timing.remember that whatever He would have me do He can make it happen if I just trust and don’t insert my own agenda, extra”help” etc.I am ashamed that I have let the world sap the confidence right out of me. When I wait on the Lord, read the Bible, listen for the Holy Spirit,I am so much better equipped to get through anything.thank you for sharing this prayer and for paying for those of us in this study who are struggling with living our faith as we should.I am amazed at the grace of God.
The answers to the questions in the study were difficult — all those years of trying to do the right thing for the wrong reasons. The fear of failing, looking stupid, when He was right there the entire time. Those times I didn’t speak about Him out of discomfort (okay, embarrassment!) and trying to fill the emptiness with anything I could get my hands on but always holding my relationship with Him under wraps. Knowing He is real but wondering what He could possibly want with me. Yeah, doubt. Yeah, insecurity.
With the video, I started out a bit tentative, like getting reacquainted with a relative I haven’t seen for awhile. There was that moment when I knew we had reconnected and His presence is unavoidable. My heart transitions to being present. As worship begins, there is awe but there is also delight! Then He gently speaks … love, reassurance, showing me those places where I have His will right. He is the rhythm of my heart and He reminds me I am the accompaniment to His song. Joy begins to bubble and then pours out. I am carried away on still waters in harmony with Him. There is no sense of rushing through this, just meandering with Him in comfort, safety and simplicity. “I never change. You look for My power but seldom My presence. Do you hear My heart? Do you taste My love? Do you skip at My delight in you? Do you see how My eyes sparkle as I gaze into yours?” The tentative awkwardness is gone and I am mesmerized by Him. The self-consciousness is gone as He sweeps me into His arms and we dance — no more two left feet for me! I don’t want to stop. He is my Melody. Yes, my Lord sings over me!
My answers to Ch. 1 questions in the book:
1.My earliest moment of feeling insecure was during my childhood. I didn’t have any friends except ones I was forced to have.
2.Insecurity and fear keep me from doing things because I think it willl end with a negative income or that I will fail at whatever it is.
3.It makes me feel helpless, embarrassed, stupid, inadequate, unworthy, sad, frusturated, defeated.Like this is the true. Question why try. I am who I am. Question if this is true or if I even want to change. Change is scary. If something good will happen than change is okay, but if it has bad results than I don’t want change. .Hopelessness. Your right. I am tired of trying.
4.These r great promises, but they don’t apply to me. If they do apply to me, how?
5. What hinders me is my lack of trusting that God’s plan is better than mine. My trying to be self-sufficient, and not trusting or relying on God. Analysizing everything again my own thoughts instead of scripture.
6.A women with a confident heart trusts God’s plan. She knows that she is a child of God, and that God created her the way that He wanted. She knows who she is in Christ and she does not allow outside influences or thoughts distract her from knowing and believing God’s word. She is seeking to be more like Christ and is in God’s will for her life.
I think I have always felt insecure. I never really felt my father’s love as a child, I know now as an adult that my father has always loved me. But i spent many years trying to earn his love, trying to be good enough. I have carried this into all of the relationships in my life, most of the time feeling like I was never quite good enough and always looking for some approval. This has caused me to miss out or toss out important relationships in my life. The thing that hinders me from living a God confident life is a lack a faith and trust, always afraid of rejection and failure. The promise that has been in my head this week is ” all things GOD works for the good of those who love Him, who have been call according to His purpose” God wants me to love and trust Him. I want unconditional love and acceptance and He is offers it to me, if I would just let go and let Him have control of my life. He is the only one that can offer me what I want. He says,”His love is sufficient, that He will never leave me nor forsake me, that He has a plan and a purpose for my life.” Lord, help me to trust in your promises.
Thank you for such beautifulnmusic. I have been feeling very sad the last few days. I believe it is thinking about two who are lost to me. I gave up a child for adoption 35 years ago. This is something i have never fully gotten over. The saddest thing is i was unable to have another child. I had premature ovarian failure. This was devistating. The second one whonis now gone is my best friend. She diedin December last year. She is special to me because she introduced me to bible study,church and Jesus and now she is with Jesus. I know we will be together again but it sure hurts now. Reading question 2I realized one of the reasons I gave up my baby was because of insecurity. I didn’t think I could take care of her by myself. I wanted her to have a better life than I did and Inknew I couldn’t do that alone. I’m thankful for this study. I hope to be able to resolve these issues.
As I began to watch the video, I looked at Chad’s fingers on the keys and could feel God’s joy and delight in using Chad to create such beautiful music. It brought forth a well-spring of emotions in me and the tears just flowed, but as quickly as the emotions washed over me, so did a deep sense of peace and gratitude. Wow!
From chapter 1, question #7: Over the past week, I came to the realization that due to my own inability to “let go” of my circumstances, I was preventing God from fixing them. I have since begun to release my circumstances to Him and this verse has provided great encouragement to me that I am indeed now falling in line with His will. After 2 years of struggle and heartache, I finally feel refreshed, at peace and have hope in my heart again. Thank you, God!
As I was answering the questions I realized that by not believing God’s promises are for me I am believing Satan – giving the Father of Lies more power than the Father Creator of the universe. I am grateful that my Father immediately forgave me and I have committed to believe the Redeemer regardless of how I feel.
Beautiful. What a backdrop to reading the chapters and peace to answer the questions. I think I will look to use it each week to set the stage for reaching each chapter. Thank you Renee and Chad. Blessings
My confidence is often dependent upon circumstances instead of upon God. If all is going well, I am confident, if it is not going well, I am not as confident. Today, I struggle because of the intense amount of pain I am in, I am to have a partial knee replacement on May 17th. The pain seems to rule my life right now, just to go to work, and back home is a trial. As fast as time passes, I am sure that it will be May 17th before we know it. I wish I could have heard the music of Chad, but for some odd reason even with the volume up, I can’t hear it. To answer a question, I have suffered with lack of confidence since I was a child. Today, I am claiming Jeremiah 17:7. My prayer goes like this. Diana you are a daughter of the most high, you are loved with an everlasting love, and I am with you even today, in your pain. My word says blessed is the woman who believes in, trusts in and relies on Me. I am the Lord your God, I have a plan for you and as you rely on Me, I will increase your confidence and hope. Thanks for the message of courage, I like Carle want to be transformed, renewed. Blessings to you all. Diana
One more thing 😉 I don’t know why I have such a difficult time with speaking/praying Scriptures out loud…but I want to be transformed…renewed. Please will you pray that I can keep it up…and not quit. I so need renewal of my mind.
Sometimes God enjoys it as we dance before Him…but even more, our LORD wants to dance with us….
It’s been a hard week as my favorite aunt passed on…The music brings tears to my weary soul… it is beautiful…and reminds me that sometimes it is okay just to crawl up on Abba-Father’s lap and rest….
(Haven’t had time to do the chapters yet…maybe when things settle down.)
This piece really relaxed and soothed my aching spirit. I had a long, tiring week and was wondering how I can make it through another week but listening to this calmed me and now I feel more focused and refreshed. At specific points when listening to it, I got goosebumps because it was very intense and then at other times I felt my mind just drifting off into dreamland. It is a very wonderful piece of music.
Describe what happens in your heart when you read God’s words:
Isaiah 49:23
It is a truly peaceful feeling to know that as long as we believe in God, we will not be disappointed.
Is there a promise listed above that speaks to your greatest need right now?
Romans 8:28
This is because I need to truly open my heart to God and let Him show me His will for my life. I need to open my heart and love God fully so I can grow in Him and He in me. I want to truly become what God wants me to become.
Wow! I have chills! I have been praying all day for a friends niece, Lyndsay, a 22 year old who has leukemia and now has an infection throughout her body. It makes me think of my own children, all four who are around this age, and I am so thankful they are healthy. My heart breaks for Lyndsay and her family. This music and Renee’s words not only helped me believe He will heal her, but knowing for sure she will win this battle against the infection. Thank you Renee and Chad for this quiet time with my Lord and Savior.
Thank you so much for the beautiful gift of music. I have been struggling with feelings of fear today. A friend is severely ill, but praise God, the doctors are reversing his kidney problem! My daughter has been ill with the flu, but trying to attend a youth retreat with our church. As I watched this presentation I felt the fear and tension melt away. I almost feel that “out of body” feeling I can get when I am in deep prayer and connection with the Lord! I really want to experience HIS peace more during my day. Thank you for the reminder to just let the Lord lead me where He would have me go. What a great way to end my busy day!
Its so hard to take time out. I am going to make this work and take time out. Reading the post listing to the beautiful music is calming helps me tell myself my situation is not so bad. I am not the only one! I need to remember to thank him for all that he has given me. He has leading me home on the path to finding out who I really am and how to make my two girls strong women. I really am excited about this opportunity and am ready to go. I just have to remind myself to MAKE the time!
How do the whispers make me feel?
Like a failure! I just don’t know how to get rid of this feeling. Tonight tried the exercise of throwing away the doubt whispers? But I could still hear them from the garbage can 🙂 I hope through this journey I learn how to quiet them.
Renee- Just want to say Thank you! You are truly a blessing and I know many of us ladies are thinking that this study this book may just be the turning point to “making things new” I loved the song and would love the idea of a song every week to go along with all the other amazing things you have for us! Thank you again!
This is amazing…I don’t get much time with my husband during the week & when I started this study I thought I would sit in the living room while he watched TV & read & write my assignments. I have a christian classical cd somewhere & I have been searching everywhere to find. I was wanting something to block the noise but still be in the same room! Of course I haven’t found it! God is so good to send this song…it absolutely touched my soul. He kept telling me to listen…just listen as I was getting a bit restless @ first. Then He reminded me of the sunrises & sunsets He knows I love…that He paints for my delight! The music was the same…he would show me different scenes of things I love as the music went on…I would see waterfalls, fields of beautiful wild flowers & then @ one point in the song it was sweet, innocent, holy…I felt His love. It was beyond words. The last part to me was Jesus’ life. It crescendo to His death & I felt the disciples heartbreak, discourgement & confusion. He reminded me that even when things look bleak & hopeless, He is working on the details and the most incredible things will come out of the pain. It then sounded like hope, renewal & life. I could feel myself dancing with my Savior & it was so incredibly freeing! I feel so refreshed and rested like none other. That is amazing!!