What if His People Prayed

If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
II Chronicles 7:14

I am breaking from "tradition" here and writing about a song that is not a hymn, but rather, a modern "popular" song by Christian artists. This song speaks to me so strongly about the need for God's people to be people of prayer - and as we celebrate and participate in the National Day of Prayer tomorrow, it is a good reminder of what is possible if God's people rise up and PRAY!

Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, admonished them to put on the full armor of God. After becoming fully "clothed" he adds one more important step:

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints... Ephesians 6:18

Pray at all times in the Spirit. Paul tells us that the Spirit will aid us in our prayers:

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words... Romans 8:26

I admit, there are times when I know I need to pray but I don't have the words. At those times, I pray Romans 8:26, and ask the Spirit to intercede. But even when we have the words, Paul tells us that we don't know how to pray as we should - so the Spirit intercedes! Isn't it wonderful to know that God's Holy Spirit is praying along with us, and that He is praying God's will for us? Look at this next verse:

...and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:27

Prayer is an absolutely essential part of being a follower of Christ. And while we often petition God for our wants and desires (which He tells us to do! - Matthew 7), He also calls us to pray for those who are in leadership over us, and those who do not know Christ, that they may be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. I Timothy 2:1-8

This song paints a very dramatic picture of what would happen if all God's people became people of prayer, dedicating themselves to seek God's will for the sins of our nation, the needs of our families, the people in leadership and those who don't know Christ. Let's each do our part in making that picture a reality - and let's follow the exhortation that Paul gave to the church at Colossae:

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2

What if His People Prayed
Written and Recorded by Casting Crowns

What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captives free
And not let Satan have one more?
What if the church, for Heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took a stand upon God's promise
And stormed Hell's rusted gates?

What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face,
And turn from their own ways?

And what would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way?
Then maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see light of day
What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth?
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to do?

What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face,
And turn from their own ways?

He said that He would hear
His promise has been made
He'd answer loud and clear,
If only we would pray

If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray

What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face,
And turn from their own ways?