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"I really love this song. It explains the reason that I sing, and it's my heartbeat. Just like Isaiah, I want to say "Lord, here I am, send me."

"I wrote the chorus to this song while sitting outside in the sunshine (a favorite pastime of mine) just wanting to give God everything, every aspect of my life, all I do and say."

"This song was actually inspired by my younger brother Joel's tears. I found him crying at school one day and after giving him a hug and some encouragement, he was fine. It showed me that just a little love goes such a long, long way!"

"Jesus wants so much for us to be one - His prayer in John 17 shows us just how much. Imagine what would happen if we, as the church, decided to unite and walk together side by side."

"Sometimes it's hard today to tell if someone's love is real (fair-dinkum, as Australians would say!), but true love, God's love, is a long-term love which stands the test of time and is shown to us in Jesus."

"I seem to feel the happiest and the closest to God when I am outside in His creation, talking with Him. As Psalm 23 and this song say, God gives us new strength and perspective when we take time to be quiet with Him."

"I've grown up in a home where praise music is very much a part of our lives, so this song is very special to me. I love helping people to praise God, so this is a concert favorite for me, too."

"I really appreciate this song because so often many "Thank You's" go unspoken from my mouth and it is a reminder to me not to take God, my friends, or my family for granted."

"This is a message that is stressed many times in the New Testament and I think, is a key to happiness. For when we admit that we don't need world riches and instead, rely on God, we've got a lot less things to worry about and life becomes simpler and more enjoyable."

"After being a "big sister" now for 14 years and baby-sitting quite a bit, I've realized why Jesus loved children so much. Their faith and love of life is so refreshing."

"What is man that you are mindful of him?" (Ps. 8:4--NIV) This song came to me while Tedd (my producer) and I were praying. What more can I say?

I was about 9 or 10 years old when I first heard this song. It has stuck with me all this time and continues to be a challenge to all of us not to sit in silence. We are His voice. "Faith come from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ... their voice has gone out into all the earth." (Rom. 10:17,18--NIV)

I believe that one of the biggest challenges in life is overcoming selfishness. I think that's why Jesus stressed to us over and over the importance of serving others. He said: "So you want first place? Then take last place. Be the servant of all." (Mark 9:35--The Message)

In the summer of '95, I was spending some time with a friend of mine and he played me some chords on his guitar. I will never forget hearing those notes for the first time. I'd been reading in the Bible where Samuel said, "Speak for your servant is listening". (1 Sam. 3:10--NIV) The ideas came together and...a song was born.

In Israel, one of the first words little Jewish boys say is "Abba" (Daddy). As this song was being written, I found this verse: "You received the spirit of sonship. And by him we cry 'Abba, Father'...We are God's children" (Rom. 8:15,16--NIV)

Singing, traveling, recording and songwriting, especially at my age, is a continual challenge and trust experience for me. All the time, I'm learning that I'm nothing without Him. "Apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5--NIV)

"What matters?" That's the question my generation is asking. Ecclesiastes gives us the answer: "Fear God and keep His commandments... this is the whole duty of man." (Ecc. 12:13--NIV)

Daniel 3 is the story of three young people who would not compromise and were prepared to die for their faith. "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to protect us from it... but even if He does not..." we will not bow. That is our vision. (Dan. 3:17,18--NIV)

How many times do we look out the window on a sunny day and not stop to praise God for it? How many times do we see "mini-miracles" or answers to prayer and not thank Him? He says to "Drop everything and listen... don't turn a deaf ear..." (Ps. 95--The Message)

"Go and sin no more".(John 8:11) Challenging words that "hit me over the head" when I read them in the Bible one day. A few weeks later in the studio, I basically just started singing the melody and the words. It was "You Know Who".

"I love the 'realness' of this song. So many didn't, and still don't know came *to save us and take our sins away.* We must boldly share this truth!"

"This is a Christmas song I grew up hearing in Australia. To me it holds two special challenges. First, to use our time on earth wisely. ("So this is Christmas and what have we done"), and second, it encourages us to live our lives without earthly fear!"

"I think its cool that hundreds of years before Jesus' birth, Go was letting us in on His plans - that He was going to send His son Jesus."

"I remember hearing this song for the first time when I was in fifth or sixth grade. What an example to us of where we need to be on our knees before Him."

"In the making of this album we have had two mottos. The first, PRAY BEFORE EVERYTHING. The second is, everything everyone else probably wouldn't do on a Christmas album, let's try! Needless to say, we've broken some rules, especially on this one (the hum) worship along with us!"

"A few years back, I vowed to my mum that if I ever did a Christmas album, 'O Holy Night,' would be on it . At the time I think she wondered how I would hit the high notes! I pray that this song will transport you back and leave you as in awe of Jesus as the shepherds."

"That is the question so many in my generation are asking, "What child is this - Who is Jesus?" It's up to us to live out the answer - to radiate Jesus."

"What a prayer!! 'Son of God we pray we may reach Thee, may we live in peace...'"

"One of my favorite parts in the Christmas story is the 'Magnificat', Mary's praise/prayer to God after she found out she would give birth to Jesus. 'O Come All Ye Faithful,' to me, resembles her song of worship."

"Usually songs take hours, to days or even weeks to write. This song was a total miracle. It took 20-30 minutes. We prayed specifically about the right lyrics and this idea that came to me... Imagine yourself, sitting by baby Jesus cradle on the night He was born, and singing to Him everything you were feeling inside! -The lyrics just flowed onto the paper!"

Prayer is such an essential for me - my life blood. It gives me strength in my weakness and centers my focus on God, away from myself. "Melt me away, 'til only You remain".

"If my people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray... then will I forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chron. 7:14 NIV)

Originally written by a couple of Aussie friends, this is a song that has encouraged me many times. Summed up in one word, this song says to me..."Hope".

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23 NIV)

One of the most important things I try to live out in my life I learned through cleaning houses! Real joy is found in loving and serving others - the natural overflow of a life given away to God.

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me" (Luke 9:23 NIV)

I remember once sitting in my living room, listening intently to Rich Mullins' version of this song and realizing each word was the cry of my heart too.

"Search me O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalms 139:23,24 NIV)

Not long ago I watched on video an Australian adventure race. A female in one of the teams was told to quit because of an injury to her ankle. Instead of giving in, the other teammates carried her the rest of the way... It was so powerful, I cried.

"Carry each others' burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." (Gal. 6:2 NIV)

This is the first song my brother Daniel and I have ever written together. Inspiration came one day on our tour bus, out of a simple longing for Jesus to come.

"The sun will grow dark, and the moon will not give it's light, the stars will fall from the sky." (Matthew 24:29 NIV)

This song is all the more meaningful to me in that it was birthed through my own tears and knowing God's comfort in the midst of the storm...

"The Lord is my shepard, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul." (Psalms 23:1-3 NIV)

I was sitting on the floor in the studio praying when God gave me the first few lines of this song. In a society that so often focuses on how we look on the outside, "Mirror" challenges me to seek the beauty of the heart.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight..." (Psalms 19:14 NIV)

I truly admire the passion Keith Green had for God and his "worshipper's heart", which you can hear in the lyrics to this song.

"My heart says of You, "Seek His face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek." (Psalms 27:8 NIV)

Often I will look up at a moonlit sky or simply be in awe of God over something He has done and my heart will be so full that I cannot speak except to say, "I love You!"

"I love You, O Lord, my Strength." (Psalms 18:1 NIV)

This song was originally titled "Benediction". To me, it's a fitting end to the album and sums up my prayers for those who listen... P.S. My sister sounds pretty cute on this song, don't you think?

"May the Grace of The Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2 Cor 13:14 NIV)

Rebecca's Prayer: Thank you for this album, for the joy it has brought to me, and I pray, let it be a joy to others. On this recording I have lifted my voice to you and now I dedicate this album for your glory and honour. Take it, use it, and please Lord, Refresh our hearts.

In Jesus name,
Love Rebecca

Rebecca's Prayer:
Dear Father,
Thanks so much for giving me this opportunity to serve You and for sending Jesus who gives me a reason to sing! Lord, I pray for these word, these song, this music, that through it You will be glorified. And I ask that the Good News it contains will refresh us, teach us more about You and help us to be better servants of Yours. Lord, here I am - let me be Your hands and feet. I love you.

In Jesus name,
Love Rebecca

"God, Your name sums up everything. The reason I sing. Who this album is all about. The hope, the purpose in my life. My greatest friend. Lord, may people hear your voice. It's all yours. I love you." -Rebecca

Rebecca's Prayer:
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for Christmas. Thanks you for humbling yourself and coming to earth because you love us. Lord, thanks for these songs that have been written over centuries yet still hold your power - the power to change lives. I commit this album to you - use it for your glory. Speak to us this Christmas and always. May we continually worship you and live for you no matter the time of year. I love you so much.

In Your Name,
Rebecca

"My secret is a very simple one - I pray. To pray to Christ is to love Him."
--Mother Teresa

Lord Jesus...
What a priviledge it is to love You, serve You, and pray to You. Keep me from taking these things for granted. Lord, use this album to accomplish Your purpose. I ask You to teach us what it means to humble ourselves and pray. Show us how to truly seek Your face and turn from our ways. May we find the brokeness that heals. And as we turn to You, keep us from the tyranny of living for ourselves... May this music, these words, breathe Your life into all who hear...

Yours Always, Rebecca

IF YOU'VE NEVER COMMITTED YOUR LIFE TO JESUS, OR IF YOU NEED TO "GET SERIOUS" ABOUT HIM, PLEASE PRAY THIS PRAYER...

Dear Jesus, Thank you so much for loving me even when I don't deserve You at all. Lord, come into my life, change me, break me, make me new, make me whole... forgive me. Purify my heart. Jesus I believe You died on the cross and rose again three days later. You are my Savior and one day I will live with You forever. But meanwhile, help me to stand for You. To shine for You, to make a difference and let Your truth be known. Use me Lord, Holy Spirit fill me to overflowing. I love You so much! In Jesus Name, Amen.

Stage Name: Rebecca St. James
Real Name: Rebecca Jean Smallbone
Nicknames: RSJ, 'Becca, 'Bec
Birthdate: July 26th, 1977
Eye Colour: Brown
Hair Colour: Brown
Siblings: Daniel, Ben, Joel, Luke, Josh, Elizabeth
Father: David Smallbone
Mother: Helen Smallbone
Pets: 1 dog (Misty), 1 rabbit (Nibbles), 1 gerbil (Jerry), 32 chickens (as of December, 1997)
Hobby: Decorating
Baptism: Home church in Australia in 1996

First Concert Tour:
+ Revival In The Land (opened for Carman)
First Album:
+ Refresh My Heart (Australia)
First U.S. Album:
+ Rebecca St. James

REBECCA ST. JAMES - 'PRAY'
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Mansfield Wong [mansfield@rocketmail.com]

Disclaimer:
This is a fan-made desktop theme, and is neither endorsed nor affiliated with Rebecca St. James, David Smallbone Management, or ForeFront Records.

+ Refresh My Heart (1991, 1997) + Rebecca St. James (1994) + God (1996) + Christmas (1997) + Pray (1998)

Rebecca St. James
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