There is Power in the Word and Prayer but Did I Mention HYMNS?

We know as followers of Christ that there is great power in the Word of God and prayer... but just recently I have discovered so much joy through hymns! At first I was concerned that I was putting too much of a focus on it because the Word needs to be our ultimate place to find refuge and strength in the Lord because we need TRUTH! We need that sword that the Word of God is, to keep fixed on what the Lord would have us focus on.. but anyways as I really sought this out whether I should be putting such a focus on hymns.. I discovered what a tool it was with Paul! I have a lot of respect for Paul as a follower of Christ... because he was such a man of truth!! Which is seems to be something that the Lord has put on Andy's and my own heart to really keep people accountable to TRUTH! But who knew that something Paul was also passionate about... hymns.. would have such healing power in my soul!

Acts 16:25,26
 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.

Ephesians 5:19,20
Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Colossians 3:15-17
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

I can not go into great detail at this time.. but hopefully SOON; As to what has really been going on in my heart the past month and half but have not felt that the Lord has put it on my heart to share at this point. I do though, ask that you be praying for me (and Andy :-)) As life can throw curve balls sometimes and that whatever happens that we would seek the Lord with ALL our hearts and that we would find our strength and our refuge solely in him!! Me more than Andy at this time.. I need peace and more importantly to trust in the Lord and his promises! Please pray for the Lord's sovereign hand over our life!

So currently I am working in Eden Prarie cleaning a building (MAC Philantrophies) and so I get SO MUCH time to think, pray(as long as I do not get sidetracked.. as I move fast past through this building), listen, and... SING! Now I am not sure if anyone has heard me in this building.. most of the time while I am there.. there is maybe a handful of people there.. but I do not really care! Let me tell you though.. the acoustics in the bathroom.. are.. AMAZING :-)  But I catch myself so often getting stressed or worried or thinking too far into things (analyzing possible bad outcomes) and I come to a point where I feel like I am spinning.. and then.. I sing! I have pandora on my ipod and I have a station called "Hymns 4 worship!" Absolutely.. wonderful! And the Lord has used it in so many powerful ways to combat the fears and the worries that creep on me.. When I am not in a position to sit in the word and feed off truth! On facebook I explained hymns have such an intimacy that makes me feel like I am dancing with God. How beautiful is that picture! Fear is wrapping its nasty arms around you... doubt is flooding your mind.. worries are eating at your peace and ability to think straight.. and then... our Father in heaven.. extends his arm out and dances with you.. so intimately.. allowing you to cast all your fears, doubts, worries.. and be reminded of who you serve.. An ALMIGHTY, INFINITE, ALL-POWERFUL, and INTIMATE GOD!

Here are a few Hymns that I have found such peace in...

How Great Thou Art
O Lord my God,
When I in awesome wonder
Consider all
The works Thy Hand hath made,
I see the stars,
I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy pow'r throughout
The universe displayed;
 
When through the woods
And forest glades I wander
I hear the birds
Sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down
From lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook
And feel the gentle breeze;
Then sings my soul,
My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul,
My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art! 
 
When Christ shall come,
With shouts of acclamation,
And take me home,
What joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow
In humble adoration
And there proclaim,
"My God, how great Thou art!"
Then sings my soul,
My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul,
My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art!
How great Thou art!
I Need Thee Every Hour

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee, O I need Thee;
O I need Thee every hour;
I need you Lord, O bless me now,
My Savior, I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain
I need Thee every hour, teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son

I need Thee every hour,
I need Thee every hour,
I need Thee every hour,
I need Thee every hour.

There are so MANY more wonderful hymns! I would post them ALL for you.. but that would be too much :-) But it has been so neat.. because I had a friend that was struggling to trust God's leading in her life.. and I told her just how sometimes it can be so hard to work through that struggle to trust.. in the Word and in prayer.. and that singing praise can be such a powerful thing. DO NOT GET ME WRONG! We has followers of Christ need to be soaking up the Word of God and applying it and being in prayer and supplication AND thanksgiving! At times, at least for me.. I need to clear my head of all that is weighing down on me in order for me to be refined through God's word. It's like it tears down the walls to get your eyes to where they need to be so that you can work on he issue through the time spent in the word and in prayer! But she was just so encouraged and comforted by listening to Hymns.. so it was great to see that this could  be so impactful in others lives in their relationship with our Savior! Have a wonderful weekend! And it's good to be back blogging again! :-)