Rehearse Book

During a sermon over 25 years ago, my pastor made a statement that was the spark of a new way of thinking and praying for me. He said,

“When a problem comes, rehearse God’s Word, not the problem.”

I purchased a 4 x 6 spiral index card notebook and began to write down Scriptures the Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart as I read God’s Word.

I was struggling with a teen that was not living fully for the Lord. I remember how I used to stop at their room to have a little talk, trying to get them to do right. They would listen, but I knew there was no change in their heart. After I put my “rehearse book” together, I changed from going into my teen’s room for a talk to going into my bedroom and getting on my knees, praying through the Scriptures I had put into my notebook. Throughout the day when my teen was away at school and I would be burdened, I stopped what I was doing and grabbed my notebook and prayed through it until I got peace. If I went all the way through it and didn’t have peace, I stayed on my knees and prayed through it again. An amazing thing happened. The Scriptures took hold in my heart and God began to do a great work in both my life and that of my teen. I continued in prayer and thanksgiving, watching God work. Over the years I have used that principle for any trial that the Lord has allowed. It has prompted me to make my prayer list based on the Scriptures.

I still have that first notebook. How precious are those memories—not only of God working in my teen’s heart, but also of God working in my heart, teaching me how to pray.

I have developed this into a "Rehearse Book" and it is available on my website www.ruthbumgardner.com