God Can Do Anything
During the last year, God has put faith and a burden for backsliders on my heart. Each of these songs has taken its turn playing over and over again in my mind and spirit and on my phone as I worked, prayed, or drove. Singing them as prayers of faith has ushered me into God’s presence with confidence and gratitude in his awesome love. The time has come. Jesus is drawing prodigals home in greater numbers than we have ever seen. It is time that this valley of dry bones rises up a mighty army again.
Come Alive (Dry Bones)
I have prayed this song, “Come Alive (Dry Bones), by Lauren Daigle & Michael Farren several times, crying out to God in faith to save my backslidden loved ones. The first verse pictures what we see looking through the natural eyes. The plight of these prodigals is so sad and seemingly hopeless. The devil has used every method possible to lie to them. Deceived, they have walked away from the life and blessings God had planned for them and toward a life of bondage to sin and the whims of the devil.
Yet, because I know God is sovereign and victorious, I have hope. The next verse describes the reason for this unquenchable hope we have in Jesus. He loves them and has not given up on them. In fact, Jeremiah 3:14 says, “Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.” Because of this I can step into intercessory prayer with faith, knowing there is more happening and more to come though I can’t see it now.
The chorus proclaims what God commanded Ezekiel to speak over the valley of dry bones he placed before him and the result.
“We call out to dry bones, come alive, come alive
We call out to dead hearts, come alive, come alive
Up out of the ashes, let us see an army rise.”
Like Ezekiel, in chapter 37:4-5., we need to be walking among the dry bones in prayer, commanding them to hear the word of the Lord and prophesying that God will breathe life into them again. When we, as the people of God, do this, we will begin seeing and hearing of backsliders everywhere living for God again. We can call on the wind of the Holy Ghost to move and breathe upon those left for dead by Satan as Ezekiel did in verse 9. “Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” Verse 10 declares, “And they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.”
Graves Into Gardens
“Graves Into Gardens” by Elevation Music and Brandon Lake depicts the beautiful transformation Jesus can make in a sinner’s desolate life. It starts,
“I searched the world
But it couldn’t fill me
Man’s empty praise
And treasures that fade
Are never enough
Then You came along
And put me back together
And every desire
Is now satisfied
Here in Your love”
We know our loved ones are lost, searching for something that will satisfy them in all the wrong places. Only God can fill the void in their hearts. Even those who reach the pinnacles of success with fame and fortune find that, “Man’s empty praise and treasures that fade and are never enough.” As we pray, we know that only when they allow God to come in and put them back together can the longing in their souls be satisfied with his love.
The chorus then goes on to proclaim that there’s nothing better than Jesus. He sees all our flaws and still loves us. He stays with us through the highs and lows of life. His mercy and grace are sufficient in every situation. We want our loved ones to exchange the sorrow, destruction, and shame of their lives for the joy and beauty only he can give. Romans 8:28 lets us know that he can work all things together for good to them that love God and are called according to his purpose. This includes the pain and scars of their past. As the song states.
“You turn mourning to dancing
You give beauty for ashes
You turn shame into glory
You’re the only one who can
You turn graves into gardens
You turn bones into armies
You turn seas into highways
You’re the only one who can”
I Speak Jesus
“I Speak Jesus”, sung with mighty anointing by Charity Gayle and Steven Musso was written by Dustin Smith, Abby Benton, Carlene Prince, Jesse Reeves, Kristen Dutton, and Raina Pratt. It is powerful, not only in praying for backsliders, but also in praying for breakthroughs in situations, groups, and even nations. Praying in the name of Jeus is one of our greatest weapons against the enemy. As 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
The world today is full of trouble, but Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” John 14:27. He could say this because in the previous verse Jesus said the Holy Ghost was the Comforter sent in his name (Jesus). This is why, as the song proclaims, “I just want to speak the name of Jesus over every heart and every mind, cause I know there is peace within your presence. I speak Jesus.”
The world may not be able to help every addict out of their addiction, but Jesus can break the chains for anyone who calls on his name for help. There is hope. There is freedom in Jesus’ name. We read in the Bible and see still today, that healings and miracles are performed in the name of Jesus. Every stronghold can be broken and every dark shadow pierced. Fear and anxiety, so rampant today, can be vanquished in Jesus’ name. Pills are not needed to overcome depression when the name of Jesus is spoken in faith and his power and presence fill the room. His name is life.
Thus, as holders of this truth, we cannot stay silent. We must,
“Shout Jesus from the mountains
Jesus in the streets
Jesus in the darkness over every enemy
Jesus for my family
I speak the holy name
Jesus”
Anywhere that the enemy of our souls has brought darkness, Jesus can bring light. “Jesus is the Answer for the World Today” declares the timeless song by Andrae Crouch. I cannot stop speaking his name in faith over my loved ones or my seemingly impossible situations and nagging worries. Let the message of this song reverberate in your spirit as it has in mine, and may it echo off your tongue in prayer until the victory is won!
Comment and let me know what songs help you believe and pray for the backsliders and breakthroughs in your life. Subscribe and share if you appreciate the message and inspiration offered in this post.