Pray

The stock market is down, the economy looks shakey, and many people are fearing the future. Some of them know things have turned bad for them; they have lost a job, or their retirement fund has significantly decreased in value. Some of them just stare at that Dow Jones average and get more and more worried. We have not yet reached the point where stock brokers are jumping out of buildings, but if you listen to the news media it seems to be only a matter of time.

And the national elections are almost upon us. People worry about the consequences of the election (or defeat) of a particular candidate. They are convinced that the outcome of this election means the beginning or the end for our country.

I do not intend to imply that the issues I’ve mentioned above are not important. But I do believe that the worry and the fear about them is absolutely wrong. Paul writing in Phlippians 4:6-7 makes clear his advice in this matter: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Using this technique puts the stresses and worries about the future into the hands of the One who holds that future – God. As a child of His, I can trust that He bring me through whatever is coming. He promses He will never leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5b) – and that goes for you, too.

Rob Frasier had an album called This Town in 1987. The song (Doesn’t Anybody Pray In) This Town points out the importance of prayer. God wants a righteous man (or woman) to pray about these and other serious issues – will it be you?

This old town may not look like much to you
But it’s where I live, it’s all I got
And lately change been comin’,
Oh, what’s it comin’ to?
Where there used to be a church
Now it’s a parking lot

We got our houses and our swimming pools
Everybody’s lives are so discrete
But keeping up appearances is our only rule
And we’ve lost the fire we once found on our knees

Doesn’t anybody pray in this town anymore?
Doesn’t anybody wanna stand up for the Lord?
While we shake our heads
Wondering what we’re gonna do
God says, “I need one righteous man!”
Is it gonna be you?

Look outside your back door
Tell me what you see
People are starving in your streets
And human life just ain’t worth
What it used to be
From the nursing home to the nursery

Families are hurting in our neighborhoods
Loyalty and love are out of vogue
And God is just forgotten
Or at best misunderstood
But He remains the one who’s in control
So tell me,

Doesn’t anybody pray in this town anymore?
Doesn’t anybody wanna stand up for the Lord?
While we shake our heads
Wondering what we’re gonna do
God says, “I need one righteous man!”
Is it gonna be you?

And He will lead us to holier ways
To a foundation on which we can stand
For if we humble as people and pray
I know God will heal this land

Doesn’t anybody pray in this town anymore?
Doesn’t anybody wanna stand up for the Lord?
While we wring our hands
Wondering what we’re gonna do
God says, “I need one righteous man!”
Is it gonna be you?

Your town, my town
Will you stand up for the Lord?
God says “I need one righteous man!”
Well is is gonna be you?
Gonna be you?
Gonna be me too?

Rob Frazier’s album This Town is no longer available, but this song is available on his “best-of” album Retrospect. Click on the album cover for a link to his web site: