29 May 2009

The Power of the Spoken Word
by Brother Teik

Tonight, brother Teik shares with us his precious daily practice of confessing his faith. We are happy to share his set of 5 declarations here for your reflection and use. Brother Teik prays these at the start and close of the day. What a beautiful way to open and close the day!

I also took the opportunity to do a quick search of the scriptures on the power of the spoken word, and leave the following verses with you:

First of all, God speaks the universe into existence! Genesis 1:3 - Then God said, "Let there be light, and there was light".

Mark 11:22-23 - [Jesus says] That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

John 6:63 - [Jesus says] The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue [spoken word] has the power of life and death.


(1) Taken from Dr. David Yonggi-Cho's 4th Dimensional Living in 3rd Dimensional World (pg.18-19)

I believe in Jesus Christ, my personal Saviour and Lord
I received forgiveness through the precious blood of Jesus Christ
I believe in the Holy Spirit who sanctifies me
I believe I shall be healed from sickness
I believe I shall be blessed
I believe in the Resurrection and in everlasting life in heaven
and I believe I'm a citizen of God.

(2) From Brain Bailey's 'Heaven's Glories and the Untold Terrors of Hell' (pg. 202)

Dear Lord, forgive me for my backsliding. Draw me again to You and graciously receive me. Strengthen me and cause me to walk in Thy ways, never again to leave the pathway of righteousness. Amen.

(3) A hymn by Lemmel from the Methodist Hymnal

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of the earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

(4) At the Close of Day (prayer)

O Lord my God, I thank thee that thou has brought this day to its close. I thank thee that thou dost give rest to body and soul. Thy hand has been over me, guarding me and preserving me.

Forgive my feeble faith and all the wrong I have done this day, and help me to forgive all who have wronged me.

Grant that I may sleep in peace beneath thy care and defend me from the temptations of darkness. Into thy hands I commend my loved ones, I commend this household, I commend my body and soul. O God, thy holy name be praised. Amen.

(5) The prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console
To be understood, as to understand
To be loved, as to love
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.