HEMI Prayers

The Story Behind HEMI Prayers

After leading chapel one night at Hope Ministries’ Bethel Mission for homeless men, a shelter guest approached me and asked if I could teach him how to pray.  He had been reading I Thessalonians 5:17 & 18. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

I said I would teach him a HEMI prayer that would change his life.  A HEMI is an 8-cylinder engine that gives you more power.  It’s silly, but people remember it.  It was a simple split-second prayer.  “I surrender to you Lord. Amen.”  I promised him if he said that prayer 25-50 times a day it would change his life forever. 

Nine months later at his graduation from their long-term recovery program, he approached me and said that my promise came true.  I asked him how it had changed his life?  He first confessed that he never said that split second prayer 25-50 times a day.  He said he prays it 100-200 times a day.  He said he finds that he’s more joyful and more thankful and prays continuously.  Over the past few years I have waited for the prompting of the Holy Spirit to add more HEMI prayers.  The list is below.

I invite you to pick one every day and say it all day long.  You will be amazed how it makes a difference in your life.  You might also decide to memorize all of them and recite the list often, or focus on one at a time and memorize the scriptures.  Sometimes we make prayer too complicated. 

Split second prayers are an easy way to commune with God all day long – to abide in Him as He abides in you.

Be blessed!

David Burrier
Hope Coach
Founder and President
I’VE BEEN THERE Ministries