While in the hospital recovering from bypass surgery, I found the most effective prayers I prayed were those using imagery, where I saw the prayer need already met by my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and we were celebrating together in a field. Since I grew up on a dairy farm, I LOVE open grassy fields. We were laughing and having fun!
"This is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him."
(1 John 5:14-15 Berean Study Bible)
Psalms exemplifies this kind of praying. I believe David used visualization as he prayed; note Psalm 23 as an example. He prays using 1) affirmative statements that are 2) personal and 3) present tense.
- You, O LORD, are a shield about me (Psalms 3:3).
- The LORD sustains me (Psalms 3:5).
- You have smitten all my enemies (Psalms 3:7).
Creating your own "I am" statements
I am statements should be statements and pictures which make you feel comfortable, joyful and full of gratitude toward the victory Jesus has accomplished. Here are some examples:
- I am complete in Christ.
- I am healed, my body is strong and I feel healthy.
- I am prosperous, financially free and able to give to others. Jesus has granted me abundance.
- I am righteous through my faith in the shed blood of my Lord, Jesus Christ. I stand complete in Him.
- I am touching the world with the gift God has given to me which is…
- I am supporting my spouse by…
- I am blessing my children by…
- I am celebrating my grandchildren by…
- I am abiding in faith, hope and LOVE, in everything I view, touch or ponder.
- I am…
Joy strengthens me (Neh. 8:10). Peace rules me (Col. 3:15). Love compels me (2 Cor. 5:14). Compassion moves me (Matt. 9:36).
- The joy of the LORD is your strength (Neh. 8:10).
- Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts (Col. 3:15).
- The love of Christ controls us (2 Cor. 5:14).
- Jesus felt compassion for them (Matt. 9:36).
How can we continually and consistently experience these holy emotions?
We feel what God feels when we see what God sees, so ask God to show you His perspective and pictures concerning your situations. Affirm them by speaking them as your personal, present tense truth.
The story about my hospital stay: A blog series
Related Resources:
Spiritual TransformationsRelated Blogs:
Healing Emotional Dis-ease
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