Tag Archives: Prayer

S.A.N.S. Episode 192: In Jesus Name (God of Possible)

Posted on August 12, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Before I start today’s blog, I want to wish Katy Nicole a happy 22nd birthday. During a recent search for young and talented Christian musicians, Katy’s name popped up first. After looking up her bio, the internet revealed that today is her birthday, July 29th. While Katy’s Central Illinois upbringing points to humble beginnings, the lyrics of In Jesus Name suggests a Christian who walks what she sings about.

And Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:38.

First century apostle used the expression “in Jesus name” during prayers and as part of the baptism of new believers. Meanwhile, the lyrics of Katy’s song point to the God of possibilities. Perhaps quoting Luke 1:37 and Matthew 19:26, Katy mixes faith with pray to move any mountain standing in your way. May In Jesus Name inspire you to have faith and not doubt while you pray.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 183: Footprints

Posted on August 3, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The Resurrection Band who also go by Rez for short formed their Christian rock band in 1972. Rez band members were part of the Jesus People USA Christian community in Chicago. The Resurrection Band is known as one of the forefathers of Christian metal. Yet, when you listen to their music, Rez blends blues-rock and hard rock. Today’s featured song Footprints pays homage to the famous poem.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will [o]ease and relieve and [p]refresh [q]your souls.] 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest ([r]relief and ease and refreshment and [s]recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls, Matthew 11:28-29.

Footprints was initially ascribed to anonymous, reflecting upon times in life where Jesus carries you when you’re weak. One of Jesus’ disciples writes about one of Jesus’ speeches where he compares himself to a spiritual lifeguard. As people are struggling to stay afloat in life, Jesus asks a first century crowd to lay down their burdens. May the song Footprints inspire you to come to Jesus with your problems in prayer.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 176: Heaven is Calling Your Name

Posted on July 27, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Two or More is one of those obscure bands that had a good run of albums with the most notable Life in the Diamonds. Since there wasn’t much information online about this group, it appears their music was influenced by 4Him. Produced by John and Dino Elefante, Two or More had a couple of songs which received national attention. One of those is today’s featured song Heaven is Calling Your Name.

Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and [g]everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I Am in the midst of them, Matthew 18:19-20.

The name Two or More was likely inspired by the passage above. While I was in college, this verse was regularly quoted in prayer. The context of this passage refers to church discipline, a form of accountability as there is power in numbers. Nonetheless, every Christian experiences a moment in life where you hear heaven call your name like Saul on the Road to Damascos.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. 173: The Next Time You See Johnny

Posted on July 24, 2022 by expressyourself4him

 Kenny Marks is a popular Dutch born singer who is like the Kenny G of Christian music. I was introduced to Kenny by his hit song the Party’s Over. However, Kenny’s song writing ability kept me purchasing his albums through the years. I could have chosen from a number of hit songs, but one of my favorites is about a boy coping with his parents’ recent divorce.

And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you, Ephesians 4:32.

The Next Time You See Johnny is a prayer for boys who grow up without a father in their home. When the boy’s mother hears her son pray for his absent father, the lyrics stir my soul to compassion. Other Kenny Marks songs that may interest you are Graduation Day and White Dress. I hope the Next Time You See Johnny touches your heart like it has for me.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 170: Pray in the USA

Posted on July 21, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Morgan Cryar’s breakout album Fuel on the Fire jump started his rise as a Christian artist. When Pray in the USA was released as a single on this album, this song reached the top of contemporary music charts. By the end on the 1980’s Cryar made his mark as a songwriter and producer. If there was ever a time for prayer to make its return to the United States, now is the time.

Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand), Jeremiah 33:3.

The attached video reminds me a young Billy Idol, sitting in a classroom where prayer was banned in the early 1960’s. The lyrics of Morgan Cryar’s Pray in the USA is similar to Pete Hegseth’s latest book The Battle for the American Mind. When you read Pete’s book, it serves as a history lesson of public education in the United States and illustrates how and why God and prayer was been kicked out of class.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 169: Cast Me Away

Posted on July 20, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song comes from the former lead singer of Life Savers Underground. Michael Knott is one of those musicians who is more famous as a producer of 35 albums. Michael has helped and mentored young artists through the years. While Michael’s alternative rock genre may not be to your satisfaction, Cast Me Away is a ballad that Michael speaks and sings from his heart.

Listen to my prayer, O God, and hide not Yourself from my supplication! 2 Attend to me and answer me; I am restless and distraught in my complaint and must moan 3 [And I am distracted] at the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression and threats of the wicked; for they would cast trouble upon me, and in wrath they persecute me, Psalm 55:1-3.

The inspiration behind Cast Me Away comes from Psalms written by David following his adulterous affair with Bathsheba. While I didn’t reference Psalm 32, David pours out his heart to God in prayer. Ashamed and convicted of his sin following an encounter with the prophet Nathan in 2 Samuel 12, David feels horrible. While all sinners deserve to be cast away, God still loves and forgives you, Romans 5:8.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 167: Isn’t It Amazing

Posted on July 18, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song comes from one of the godfathers of Christian music. Mark Farner was spreading the gospel through a combination of rock and roll and soft rock in the 1970’s. My spiritual mentor Ken Horne introduced me to Isn’t It Amazing in high school. While I wasn’t sure of Christian music, the lyrics of Isn’t It Amazing gave me hope that prayer could change my life by healing a severe stuttering problem.

For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it], Mark 11:24.

When it comes the prayer, what’s the worst thing that could happen beside praying for patience. As a stuttering fool afraid of embarrassing myself in public, I had nothing to lose. Ten years after I began asking Jesus for complete healing of my speech, my miraculous request was answered. Subsequently, Mark Farner isn’t the only one who can sing “Isn’t It Amazing what a prayer can do.”

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 150: Slow Motion Suicide

Posted on June 30, 2022 by expressyourself4him

I was a big fan of the rock group Kansas as a teenager. Carry On Wayward Son and Dust in the Wind were my two favorites. Looking back, the lyrics of these two songs have spiritual elements which likely influenced lead singer Kerry Livgren to transition to a solo career. Today’s featured song Slow Motion Suicide comes from Livgren’s AD album. Not many artists have a PHD in music, but Kerry was way ahead of his time in using a variety of instruments and sounds during his career as a Christian artist.

And casting the pieces of silver [forward] into the [Holy Place of the [b]sanctuary of the] temple, he departed; and he went off and hanged himself, Matthew 27:5.

While the topic of today’s song isn’t positive, there is a reason I selected this tune. As someone who planned my own suicide as a child, most people don’t just wake up one day and decide to kill themselves. Rather, this thought is planted inside fragile minds by the Devil. As children are bullied, made fun of and or teased, ideas like “if I was dead nobody would care anyway” pop into depressed heads. Unless someone intervenes, this slow motion mindset will give birth to suicide. Stop these thoughts via prayer.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 149: The Only Thing I Need

Posted on June 29, 2022 by expressyourself4him

During my final two years of high school, Yes became my favorite rock band. The 90125 album was weekly playing in my tape deck, highlighted by Changes. Since lead singer Jon Anderson has such a distinct voice, I was ecstatic to discover that he began to appear as a guest singer on Christian albums. While I could have selected a song from Anderson’s solo album, I chose The Only Thing I Need.

And my God will liberally supply ([i]fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:19.

As a famous rock star, Jon Anderson didn’t need to rely on God for his daily needs. Yet, like any prodigal, Jon came to a point in life where he discovered the only thing he truly needed in life was Jesus. Thanks to an invitation to join 4Him in singing The Only Thing I Need; this reality has been passed on to former Yes fans. May the passage above become a daily prayer as you learn to trust God to supply all your needs.

by Jay Mankus

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A Prayer to Carry On

Posted on June 28, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As I was driving from Delaware to South Carolina last Friday, I was listening to my favorite soft rock mix. As I was reminiscing about my past 25 years living in Delaware, the sound Breathe You In by Thousand Foot Krutch began playing. When I got stuck in D.C. traffic, I had time to replay this song several times to study the lyrics. During this time of reflection, I realized that Breathing God In is a prayer to carry on.

For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint, Galatians 6:8-9.

One of the most moving portions of Breathe You In occurs during the liine “I’ve tried so hard to not walk away when things don’t go my way.” When adversity strikes, human nature has a way of doubting God. Therefore, whenever negative thoughts begin to fill your mind, it’s essential to cry out to Jesus when you’re weak to give you the strength to carry on, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [[i]morally] to all people [not only [j]being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God’s family with you, the believers], Galatians 6:10.

At the conclusion of his letter to the Church at Galatia, the apostle Paul encourages Christians to not give up hope. Regardless of how tired and weary you may become, don’t waste all the time and effort that you’ve put into life. While meditation isn’t often associated with Christianity, when you visualize Breathing in the Holy Spirit, God will give you the will to carry on.

by Jay Mankus

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