What if His people prayed?

I was listening to a local Christian radio station the other day and I heard a song that has really been stuck on my mind. The song is Casting Crown's "What if His People Prayed."

"What If His People Prayed"

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 and stand upon God's promise

And stormed hell's rusty gates

What if His people prayed

And those who bare His name

Would humbly seek His face

And turn from their own way

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 bare His name

Would humbly seek His face

And turn from their own way

He said that they would hear

His promise has been made

He’s answered loud and clear, Yeah

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 bare His name

Would humbly seek His face, Yeah

And turn from their own way

He said that they would hear

His promise has been made

He’s answered loud and clear, Yeah

If only we would pray

What if His people prayed

I had never heard this song before, but it really resonated within me. I didn't quite pick up on all the words the first time, but one verse in particular really stood out to me. The fourth verse says, "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." I stopped to think about the truth in this statement. So many people turn to anyone and everyone for help before they will turn to the Lord. I wasn't too far into my thought process when I felt that guilty pang in my heart. I am just as guilty of this as the next person.

Job came to mind as I was thinking about this. Job had the three "miserable comforters" with him in the midst of his trials. When his friends caused him more grief rather than comfort, Job then turned to the Lord. What if Job had prayed to the Lord first?

Then I thought about Nehemiah. After hearing about the horrendous situation in Jerusalem, Nehemiah turned first to the Lord. He was quick to kneel before His throne and seek His counsel.

I'm afraid too many of us are guilty of following after the footsteps of Job rather than those of Nehemiah. What if His people prayed? Why do we fail to turn to Him in every situation? It certainly isn't easier to turn to others for help. Your friends and Oprah aren't always available when you need them. Jesus is. Your friends and Oprah might not understand the depth of your troubles. Jesus does. Your friends and Oprah can't calm the seas or command the waves to be still. Jesus can.

We know the Scriptures command us to "pray without ceasing." We know that the Lord answers the prayers of His children. The last verse of the song says, "He said that they would hear, His promise has been made, He’s answered loud and clear."

What if His people prayed?