The Effigy 

                             An Original Illustrated Prayer Poem

 

The Effigy~ An Original Illustrated Prayer Poem

 

The Lord had given me this prayer poem several months ago as I was doing a bible study-devotional meditation on Genesis 3 ~the story about Cain and Abel, and studying more about our Lord Jesus Christ’s sacrifice to atone for our sins.

 

 I was also reading a novel where the town had come out in a mob to burn in effigy the figure of an unpopular political candidate during my Bible study; in the story the author meant for the character to be a Christ metaphor. The parallel struck me that Jesus Christ is God’s effigy.

 

I had hoped to publish my prayerpoem last March but became so ill with such a flare up of migraines and allergies that it was impossible to be online or do any of the digital art that I had previously so loved.

 

The Lord led me to pursue creating art in traditional formats again which has now proved very efficacious toward my healing.

He led me to illustrate “The Effigy” in a mixed media traditional Art format; it is a three dimensional painting, including cut paper, many complex layers, metallic markers, various kinds of inks, paints, colored pencils, I can’t remember all the added media! Oh yes! Glue! Mark laughs at all the glue I use.

 

I give thanks to our wonderful, awesome Creator for saving my soul to worship Him with the gifts He has invested in me to glorify Him, to proclaim His gospel, to tell of His greatness, to sing of His mercy, to tell of His reality, so many things our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ does!

“I will shout to the Lord in triumph,” sang the psalmist joyfully.

 

“ By this I know that Thou favourest me,

Because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.

 And as for me, Thou upholdest me in mine integrity,

And settest me before Thy  face for ever.“

Psalm 41:5, 11-12 KJV

 

But who is my enemy?

These migraines that ever come to pull me down  and say,

“you will never finish this or that for the Lord…”

 

They are like big Goliaths who knock me to the floor and send me to the lonely bedroom, imprisoning me in darkness, unable to see straight or think properly or do anything.

 

But Jesus comes eventually as I pray and seek His face continually in my exile, patiently waiting on Him, trusting by faith that He will deliver me out of the pit.

He will not leave me in that place of sickness  for I believe He will keep every promise forever.

Christ is a Holy Gentleman who never lies.

 ”in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;“ Titus 1:2 KJV

 

Sure enough, Jesus comes, He says, Rise up, Take up thy bed and walk!

 

The Lord Jesus Christ is no respecter of persons, His word assures us that God does not show favoritism. If the Lord can heal me, deliver me from oppression, debilitating migraines and allergies etc, He can do this for everyone who calls on His name for help.

 

 But we must be willing to trust Him and wait with patience.

 

Sometimes He does not come the instant we want Him to heal us for He might want us to rest which is something some of us may not like to do. We are often like little ones whose mama, when she puts her baby down to nap, they set up a fierce little tantrum and whine and cry to be let out to go back to play with their blocks or whatever toy they were amusing themselves with before naptime. But mama always knows that babies must rest or get ill and cranky. And so Jesus knows this is true with His own babies. But very often we dislike and resent this treatment, feel it is unfair as we look around us at all the other saints who are not being put to bed and are out playing as healthy as you please and we can get a bitter root. Our kind and good Shepherd comforts us and reminds us that whom the Lord loves He disciplines. And it is to make us holy. (*see Hebrews 12)

 

But God has not singled us out for this special tough love, we must not get upset…but rather the apostles tell us to praise Him for our trials for they produce patience. For all God’s children will have them!

”…for there is no respect of persons with God.“

Romans 2:11 KJV

 

Praise The Lord for His blessings rather!

Praise the Lord for all that He has done for us, and for the blessings He will always give. In Jesus’ name.

 

”Bless the LORD, O my soul:

 And all that is within me,

bless his holy name.

 Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And forget not all his benefits:

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;

Who healeth all thy diseases;

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction;

 Who crowneth thee

with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things;

So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.“

Psalm 103:1-5 KJV

 

”Praise the Lord, because He is good!

His faithful love will last forever!

Everyone the Lord has saved

should repeat that word of thanks.

Praise Him,

all who have been rescued from the enemy.“

Psalms 107:1-2 ERV

 

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for rescuing me from the enemy of sickness, despair, and hopelessness. Thank You for doing all Thy good works in and through me by Your Son who redeemed me through His spotless blood sacrifice on the cross. May Your name be glorified throughout the earth to spread Thy love, faith, and hope abroad and bring every soul who desires to know Thee close to Thy heart to know You and feel Thy love and reality and be made one with You through the blood of Christ as they invite Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior,  in Jesus’ holy name, amen. I love You, Lord!

 _____________________________________________

 

Unto The Least of These, Copyright © 2024, The Effigy, Illustrated Prayer Poem by Suzanne Davis Harden, Through the Indwelling Risen Lord Jesus Christ, Inspired by His Holy Spirit, To The Glory of God the Father, In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen. 

Copyright © 2024, by Suzanne Davis Harden, All Rights Reserved. 

In The Latter Days

The Prayer poem the Lord gave me today was inspired by a passage in James 1:27

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27 KJV

The imagery in my prayer poem suggests the homeless, but the James 1:27 Bible verse includes all afflicted people, such as the suffering in our neighborhoods and churches, people in nursing homes, and hospitals as well. 

 Some churches have visitation programs where members regularly go and visit the suffering and minister Christ’s love and grace to them. This is a wonderful outreach. It is putting into practice the James 1:27 scripture. 

Some communities have a sizable homeless population. Many of these people are emotionally unstable. God gives some churches and ministers a special calling to help these people. 

If called to minister to the homeless, it is wisdom to do so with others within a church that has a special calling to minister to the homeless and prison populations as well.  

The Bible calls on each of us to love with discernment.

One way we can all lay down our lives in love is through the ministry of prayer.

Prayer is the greatest ministry we have in the Kingdom of God. For no ministry, or minister in the Kingdom of Christ can be started or maintained apart from the practice of prayer. 

In Ephesians we are admonished to “pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Ephesians 6:18 KJV

And  “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV

Jesus commanded us to love one another as He loved us. That is to lay our lives down for each other. 

Prayer is giving up our time, and our attention on our own agenda, not only to commune with the Lord, but also to focus on asking God to meet someone else’s needs according to His will to bless that person. 

We ask His blessing and favor and grace and goodness to fall upon those for whom we are praying. 

God deeply loves the souls we are praying for, keep that in mind, so we are to pray in love for them always. 

Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

John 13:34-35 KJV

Unto The Least Of These, In The Latter Days, Illustrated Christian Prayer Poem, Copyright © 2022 by Suzanne Davis Harden, All Rights Reserved, Music Video-Original Instrumental: God Will Never Disown His Children, Copyright © (P) 2022 Suzanne Davis Harden, All Rights Reserved. Scripture  Quotations from the King James Bible (Public Domain)

You Say...

 

You Say…

You say that you’re a pile of dung

That in the meadows lay

I say that you’re a cherished soul

For whom I died to save.

You say that you’re an accident;

Your mother’s foul mistake,

I say that I planned your life

And I love all that I make.

You say that you’re a nothing,

Your life's an empty hole,

But I gave to you a purpose

When I gave to you your soul.

You say that I don't love you,

That God does not exist,

That I cannot hear your prayers

Wouldn't answer if I did.

May I say that I see you,

I see your every tear,

I'm just as real as you are,

And always very near;

Although you cannot see Me,

I'm ever by your side,

I made you to walk with Me

In love, and joy and light.

Not in the darkness of self hate

Nor the spell of devil lies,

I died to free you from his chains

To give You love and life.

Open up your heart to Me,

I'll give to you new eyes,

You will see as I see you

A cherished jewel of Mine.

You will see yourself anew

And I will give you peace,

Love and joy will fill your heart

The darkness then will cease.

    

You must walk by faith, My child

If you would gain new eyes,

To replace your hate with love,

Your darkness with Christ's light.

Come to Me, oh come believe,

Your sorrow put away,

I say that you’re a cherished soul,

For whom I died to save.

"You Say" © 2017 SD Harden All Rights Reserved. 

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, may all who read this prayer poem and these scriptures hear Your voice whispering in their heart that You cherish them more than they could ever comprehend. May You help them know that their life has infinite value, that You make no mistakes, that You love all that You create, that You allowed Your only Son Jesus Christ to suffer, bleed and die like a criminal on a Roman cross of execution over 2000 years ago to prove it so that we all might be forgiven and live forever with you in love and peace. Thank You, Lord, In Jesus' name, amen. 

 ^"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17 (NIV)

Prayer Poem "You Say..." © 2017 SD Harden All Rights Reserved. Scripture Pictures Courtesy The Bible App" by SD Harden using personal photos from AZ, & LA, and SC, also including space photos from Pic Collage/ / Scripture Translations ERV ©, NLT, © NIV ©

Be Patient, Be Humble, & Still

 Psalm 130:5-6 "I am waiting for the Lord to help me. My soul waits for him. 

I trust what he says. I am waiting for my Lord, like a guard waiting and waiting for the morning to come." (ERV)

BE PATIENT, BE HUMBLE, BE STILL 

(Prayersong from Paths of Love Illustrated Prayersong Book © 2015 SD Harden All Rights Reserved.)

Be patient, be humble, and still

Ever pray to know My will,

Be patient all along thy path,

Waiting always for prayers you’ve asked.

Rest, be still at My holy gate,

Be patient while you watch and wait,

Be ever humble before thy Lord,

Knowing I will keep My word...

I listen to thy every prayer,

I feel thy pain and know thy cares;

In humble stillness wait for Me

To answer you, oh patient be

In My sacred Holy place

While you hope and watch and wait.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, help me to humbly wait on You and be patient in every trial, through every storm in my life. Please calm my heart and help me to know by faith that You hear my every prayer and that You are with me, though I cannot see Thy face or feel Your everlasting arms holding me securely through  all the wind and waves that sometimes come to make war against my soul.

Lord, pour Thy Heavenly light into my heart, and fill me with the comforting assurance that You will never leave or forsake me, though the mountains may depart and the hills may be removed, and that You will never take Thy holy love from me, even as Thy word promises, in the mighty name of Jesus, thank You, Lord, amen and amen.

Isaiah 54:10 “The mountains may disappear, and the hills may become dust, but my faithful love will never leave you. I will make peace with you, and it will never end.” The Lord who loves you said this." (ERV)

"And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed." ~ Deuteronomy 31:8 (KJV)

Listen to "Be Patient, Humble, & Still" Prayersong on Spotify

https://play.spotify.com/track/3Q4K4W3IaBCNAKVRgiIMYS?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open

 Illustration and Prayer Song ~Excerpted From:  “Paths of Love” by Suzanne Davis Harden

© Copyright 2015 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved.

Unto The Least of These, © 2016 SD Harden All Rights Reserved.

Ebook available at Amazon, IBooks, and at the following links on Etsy https://www.etsy.com/listing/455951679/ebook-instant-download-paths-of-love   Softcover Print Book: https://www.etsy.com/listing/257779743/prayersong-book-paths-of-love "Be Patient, Be Humble, Be Still" Prayer song featured on Paths of Love: Original Prayersongs for Worship & Meditation by Suzanne Davis Harden CD available at https://www.etsy.com/listing/252299148/music-cd-paths-of-love-original CD also available as an MP3 download https://www.etsy.com/listing/449156348/music-instant-download-paths-of-love

God's Eyes Search The Earth

Prayer For Strength 

Heavenly Father, may You show Yourself strong and mighty on behalf of all those who are

seeking You today for a miracle. 

Thank You that You hear our every prayer, every sigh, that You even collect our tears in a special bottle. Nothing about each one of us escapes Your attention. 

Your love for us is wider than the great universe that is ever expanding all about us. 

You measure every grain of sand but You never measure Your love for us.

Reveal this truth to all those who are praying this prayer with me today.

May You help each of us to know deep in our hearts that we are valued and loved for 

who we are and not for anything that we have or have not done.

May You strengthen each heart, give rivers of Thy peace, hope, and joy that cannot be taken away no matter what challenges may come. 

Bless us with Thy great power to persevere and endure on our path even as Thy Son Jesus endured on the cross by the power of Thy Holy Spirit. 

Please meet our every need and keep us from all harm. Thank You, Lord, In Jesus name, I love You, amen & amen.

"Prayer For Strength" © 2016 Suzanne Davis Harden Scripture Illustration/ Suzanne's Scripture Designs © SD Harden 2016 "Unto The Least of These" © 2016 All Rights Reserved.

Lord, I Pray For Love

Lord, I Pray For Love

Lord, I pray You'll give me love

The kind You have for me,

The love that led You to the cross

To suffer agony,

The love that led You, Lord, to die

To save my soul for Thee.

The love that is not peevish,

Envious or proud,

Resentful, rude, or boastful,

That struts itself about

Like the haughty peacock;

Arrogant and vain,

A love that is not selfish,

Demanding its own way.

Lord, I pray You'll give me love

That's patient, kind, and pure,

That won't dishonor others,

Lord, give me love like Yours. 

Lord, give me love that sees the good

And does not look for faults

That won't accuse or criticize

But loves and judges not.

A love that sees that God is He

Who's always in control,

That You arrange the destiny

You've planned for every soul.

A love that walks with You each day

Believing from their maze

Of storms and trials You will weave

A royal robe of grace.

Lord, help me know that even though

I call You Lord of Life,

If I do not have Thy love

I walk not in Thy light.

And even though I do great things

And preach in Jesus name

If I have not got Thy love,

I've done it all in vain.

Lord, I pray You'll give me love,

The kind You have for me,

Let me love the way You love

And give my life to Thee.

In Jesus' name, amen.

Lord, I Pray For Love © 2016 SD Harden All Rights Reserved

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You allowed Your only begotten Son Jesus Christ to be born as a man, so that He could become a living sacrifice to atone for our sins by suffering shame, humiliation, and death on a Roman cross. We can hardly fathom such a love that would die to save the souls of people who did not love You back. But Thy word says that while we were still in sin (rebellion against God) Christ died for us. 

Lord, thank You for what You did for us, for through Your suffering You offer us eternal life with You forever when we receive You into our hearts. You love us as if we were Your only child to love and You promise You will never leave or forsake us.

Dear Lord Jesus, may each person reading this prayer not let thy suffering and dying for their soul have been in vain, but let them receive You into their heart as their Lord & Savior. For Thy word promises that "All who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved." Thank You, Lord. We love You,

In Jesus' name, amen.

Lord, I Pray For Love, © 2016 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. Love Scripture Collage by SD Harden made with *Pic Collage & *Avery Photo Editor; Crucifixion scripture picture via google: Unto The Least of These © 2016 All Rights Reserved. 

God's Word Is Eternal

"Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies."

 ~ Psalm 36:5 

Lord, Thy Word is eternal

Thy love mounts to the skies

Even when the clouds obscure 

Thy face from me sometimes.

Lord, Thy mercy reaches

To the depths of Sheol

To shelter me in suffering, 

You heal my broken soul.

Lord, You hear my every cry

And though I see no form

You've promised You will answer me

For You are in control.

Lord, Thy word is eternal,

Thy promises are true,

You promise that You'll meet my needs

And what You say, You'll do.

Lord, Thy mercy reaches 

To the skies above

You're weaving out of all my paths

A temple of Thy love.

"Lord, Thy Word is Eternal" © 2016 Suzanne Davis Harden (Prayer Poem)

All Rights Reserved.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Thy merciful love toward each of us that 

reaches to the heavens; a love so great that, to the Psalmist, it was an incalculable span. 

Thy word proclaims that Thy love and mercy toward us are immeasurable, that You hear our every cry, that no matter how wretched the turmoil our world may be in, You are in control and that you are weaving all the paths of those who love You to come out right in the end. 

We give You thanks for Thy measureless mercy and love that will never reject nor forsake the soul who seeks You. We love You, Lord! In Jesus' name, amen.

"God's Word is Eternal" (Prayer Poem) © 2016 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved.

Unto The Least of These © 2016 SD Harden All Rights Reserved.

You Are God's Masterpiece

You are God's Masterpiece,

Cherished, beloved,

By our God who dwells

In Heaven above;

Upon His heart

You're forever engraved,

He died on the cross

Your soul to save.

All of our sins

He died to forgive;

He rejects no one

Who comes to Him.

He loves each soul

No matter their sins

No past, no shame

Repulses Him.

His love like a river

Flows evermore

And carries us home

To eternity's shores.


"You Are God's Masterpiece"

© 2015 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved

Artist: Bougereau ~Madonna with Christ Child

 Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your only Son Jesus Christ to earth to be born as a helpless baby, to grow up as a man, to suffer and die a cruel death on a Roman cross so that our sins could be forgiven and we could have eternal life with You.  

If we ever doubt Your love for us may we see our Lord suffering and dying for our sins on the cross. For this is a picture of the depth of Thy love for each one of us. Help us this Christmas season to understand the reason our Lord Jesus Christ came to earth; to meditate on Thy great immeasurable love for us, and may we love and worship You with our whole heart and soul and mind in return for all You have done for us, in Jesus mighty name. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

 

 Danish Artist: Carl Bloch~ Crucifixion of Christ

Unto The Least Of These "You Are God's Masterpiece" © 2015 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. /Scripture Picture via Pinterest; Art photos, via Google

The Greatest Gift

"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift." ~2 Corinthians 9:15 

The Greatest Gift Of All
© 2015 S D Harden All Rights Reserved. 

For The gift of this new day, 

New mercies all around I see 

With the rising of the sun 

For these I give my thanks to Thee, 

For Thy love abounds toward me, 

I see it, Lord, in everything! 

Thy love toward everything You've made 

For this, oh Lord, I sing Thy praise! 

Lord, I love You, and I sing, 

I worship You, my Holy King! 

Thank You, Father, for this day, 

Thy blessings sent in many ways... 

For Thy peace and for Thy love, 

Thank You mostly for Thy Son, 

Who sacrificed His holy life 

That I could become Your child, 

Forgiven of my sin and shame, 

And bear Thy righteous holy name. 

Christ bought me with His holy blood  

And gave to me His holy robe 

Of righteousness forevermore, 

I praise You, Oh my Savior Lord! 

Oh praise the Father,  

Praise the Son 

Praise the Spirit,  

God above...

Praise our Holy King of  love! 

Psalm 103:1-2  

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy 

name.  

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.  

Ephesians 2:8-9  

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; 

it is a gift from God.  

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can 

boast about it.  

Psalm 103:11-12  

"For (God's) unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of 

the heavens above the earth.  

He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west."  

Prayer 

Heavenly Father, thank You for Thy precious Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who, 

though He knew no sin, out of Thy measureless love for each of us, became 

sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of  God in Him. The 

depths of Thy love for us cannot be fathomed. Help us meditate on Thy love 

and give us grateful hearts each day that we might never take for granted this 

indescribable gift You have given to us, in Jesus' name, thank You, I love You, 

Lord, amen. 

________________________________________________________________________ 

Prayer Poem,  The Greatest Gift © 2015 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights 

Reserved. Scripture Painting © 2015 S.D. Harden All  Rights Reserved 

Scripture references: New Living Translation © Tyndale House Publishers, 

Inc