(Lord) Everything remains today in keeping with Your laws, for all things exist to serve You. ~ Psalm 119:91 (The Voice Bible)
The Story of the Song “Oh Holy Night”
Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure (1808 to 1877) was a wine merchant who lived in a small French town in the 19th century.
He enjoyed writing poetry and had developed a local reputation for his poems.
In the year 1847, the local Parish priest asked Placide if he would write a Christmas poem for the Church’s Midnight Mass Celebration of Christ’s Birth.
Although not known as a god fearing man, or as one who attended church regularly, Placide must have been honored by such a request, for he agreed to write the poem.
Once he’d finished “Contique Noel” he asked his friend, the composer Adolphe Charles Adams, who was well known for composing ballets, to create music for it so that it could be sung by the congregation.
Although neither Placide nor Adolphe were Christians (Adolphe was of Jewish ancestry), these two men somehow created and composed one of the most beautiful Christmas Carols of the Christian Faith; one that especially brings great glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ…
*To Read the rest of this fascinating story, please follow the link to my music website.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” ~ Matthew 7:7-8
God’s word contains many beautiful promises concerning prayer. Jesus said that whatever we ask for in prayer, if we believe we receive it, we have it. Jesus also taught many other scripture promises concerning prayer and we must not ignore those very important verses. He told us to pray this way, “Our Father, who art in Heaven, holy is thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done…” (Matthew 6:9-10)
In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus Himself prayed, “Father, let this cup pass from me, yet not my will, but Thy will be done.”
There is an interesting scripture in Psalm 25 that I love and one that I cling to. “The Lord advises those who fear him.He reveals to them the intent of his promise.” ~ (Psalm 25:14 GW)
We must always pray and meditate over God’s word and ask the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and insight into every promise, weighing scripture against all other scriptures in the Bible so that we don’t take God’s word out of context and end up misunderstanding the true meaning of God’s word. Jesus taught and believed that God would answer every prayer we pray. But He also taught that we must seek God’s will first. “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)
Jesus taught that God knows all about our needs. He said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7
God will answer all our prayers for He has promised to do so. He will answer in His own way and time and according to His will. Jesus made this very important statement about prayer to His disciples:
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1
We must never stop praying about the things that are important to us. God has put certain desires within our hearts and we must persevere in prayer and pray about them until we see them realized. “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven…”
Whether your prayer is for the salvation of a loved one, or for a future spouse, a broken marriage, a healing, deliverance from fear, depression, chronic pain, a need for a job, a home, strength to meet our challenges, protection from harm, the list of needs is endless…but we serve a mighty God who is able to meet ALL OF OUR NEEDS!
God hears and answers ALL of our prayers. Jesus promised this and He never lied. St. Peter wrote that there was no deceit in His mouth. But we must understand that God always gives according to His will.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” ~ Matthew 7:7-8
As Jesus directed, we must keep on asking, keep on knocking, keep on seeking. We must never stop praying.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, holy is Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, in my life and in every life who is even now praying this prayer. May You answer every need and assure every heart that You will give them what they are hoping for at the right time. May You assure their hearts that You are working everything out in their lives into a beautiful masterpiece that will sing Your glory and praise someday, In Jesus’ name. Amen.
*Thank You, Heavenly Father, that though we cannot see You with us on our path, You see us, and no matter what trials we might be facing right now, Thy word promises that beneath us are Your everlasting arms. We can trust Thy word for Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My word shall never pass away.” You are ever faithful and will be with us through every storm no matter how fierce. Thy word says that we only need to trust and believe in You. I ask for You to give each of us more faith to believe, more grace to weather our challenges, and more hope as we cling to Your everlasting arms that are bearing each one of us, thank You Lord, in Jesus’ name, amen.
My new book, Paths of Peace Illustrated Prayersong Book is available on Amazon.com and IBooks! It features all ten of the encouraging Prayersong lyrics on my album Paths of Peace and full color original illustrations for each prayersong. This little book of paintings and poems will encourage and comfort you through every season in life for the Lord Himself inspired it and I give Him all glory for it.
Paths of Peace on Amazon Paths of Peace on Amazon UK Paths of Peace Illustrated Prayersong Book is also available as a signed limited Edition print book in my Etsy Shop. It’s sold by itself and also is available in a gift set with the audio CD Paths of Peace, Songs of Love and Peace. Wings Publications on Etsy
“My soul, praise the Lord! Every part of me, praise his holy name! My soul, praise the Lord and never forget how kind he is!”
PATHS OF PEACE
All Glory to our wonderful God who has blessed me with a new book! My publishing company, Wings of the Morning Publications, LLC, just recently published my first book, “Paths of Peace, Illustrated Prayersong Book,” in print and eBook editions!
I have very good reason to celebrate because as someone with very little time, and yet who must work within the boundaries of an autoimmune disorder that causes me to have chronic migraines that are often so severe I cannot do anything but lie in a dark room and pray to the Lord, it is miraculous that I can accomplish the things the Lord inspires me to do.
We serve a wonderful God who gives me the grace to bear my cross through the faithful prayers and encouragement of my church, family, and wonderful friends. I could not do a thing apart from Christ and the faithful prayers of His people. I know this.
Despite my often debilitating affliction, God has helped me to compose music, write songs and poems, paint pictures, make albums, and videos, to manage my Etsy shop, and now through His strength to write and illustrate this book to comfort and encourage people.
How but through God’s amazing power and grace could I have done or do what I do? People who know me in person realize this more than anyone else because all they have to do is be with me for a few hours before they notice that my energy fades, my face turns pale, and I begin to wilt like a flower without water.
Activities that most people take for granted, I am unable to do or can only do for a little while before exhaustion takes over and I must go home to take a long nap. If I overdo anything one day, I will pay a price of being bedridden sometimes for three days or more, losing precious time off from my work.
But those days when I must spend time in bed, I will worship the Lord. Time away from work is never wasted when it is spent in the heart of God abiding in Christ.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is not an affliction I would wish on anyone. For as of now there is no cure. Since 2006, when I got CFS, many people, churches, family and friends have prayed for my healing. I’ve been anointed with oil, and even gone to special healing services, but the Lord seems always to say “no,” as He told St. Paul. “My grace is sufficient for Thee.”
There is an interesting verse in Psalm 33:
“No king achieves a victory with a large army. No warrior rescues himself by his own great strength. Horses are not a guarantee for victory. Their great strength cannot help someone escape. The Lord’s eyes are on those who fear him, on those who wait with hope for his mercy” ~Psalm 33:16-18
In other words, God is not impressed with strength, power, health and beauty and youth like the world is. What does impress Him though is our willingness to step out in faith no matter how weak we are and trust that He can do the impossible with us no matter how broken we are. Because our weakness shows how strong He is. His light shines best through the broken pots. His glory cannot be seen through an unbroken vessel.
If God is glorified in my brokenness then I will praise Him no matter how many migraines I must suffer on this earth! Because I love my Lord Jesus Christ and I know He loves me. He suffered far more than I will ever suffer when He was nailed to the cross and when He was beaten and lashed for my sins to make me His own. He had to wear a piercing crown of thorns and I think about His excruciating pain He suffered for me when my head is engulfed in pain and so I just lay it all at His feet and worship Him.
Praise our wonderful God with me for the book of prayersongs that He gave me! Praise Him with me for every album of prayersongs and instrumental music He blesses me with, for they are all from Him and gifts for His people to encourage them and to encourage me also! The Lord encourages me as He gives me prayersongs, paintings, musical compositions, and poems. I am just a conduit of His grace.
Watch the video below to take a peek inside Paths of Peace Illustrated Prayersong Book and to listen to one of the songs from the book. The book features the lyrics that I sing on my album “Paths of Peace, Songs of Love and Peace.”
Please pray that God will use both the book and song and album to comfort and encourage many people for the Lord! And thank Him with me that He enabled me to accomplish this wonderful book! For truly this is miraculous!
God bless you all! ~Suzanne
Heavenly Father, thank You that with You ALL things are possible. It doesn’t matter who we are or what our abilities or weaknesses are, You are more than able to work through any broken pot and do amazing things through each of us if we will only step out in faith and trust in You. We praise You for Your great power and strength and love for us! In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.
