Brian Johnson, Phil Wickham
A scripturally rich, prophetically bold anthem of corporate longing for spiritual awakening. The song combines biblical petition language with vivid revival imagery, calling the church to hunger for God's manifest presence. Theologically sound with strong Old Testament grounding in Habakkuk's prayer and Ezekiel's valley of dry bones. The high energy and sustained vocal range require careful key selection, but the theological weight and corporate invitation make this a powerful tool for seasons of prayer, renewal emphasis, or corporate repentance.
Five lenses
Deeply rooted in Habakkuk 3:2 and Ezekiel 37, with faithful echoes of Pentecost imagery from Acts 2. The petition 'do it again' directly parallels Habakkuk's plea for God to renew His work in our time. The dry bones imagery captures both the prophet's vision and the church's need for spiritual resurrection. The song maintains biblical humility by framing revival as God's work, not human manufacture, though one line risks congregational presumption.
The song presents revival as God's sovereign work of spiritual awakening, characterized by renewed passion, restored holiness, and visible manifestation of God's glory. It correctly positions the church as dependent petitioner rather than self-sufficient reviver. The dry bones imagery effectively communicates spiritual deadness and the need for divine intervention. The repeated plea 'we need You' maintains proper theological humility. However, the energetic, anthem-like delivery could subtly suggest human agency unless carefully pastorally framed.
This is a high-energy anthem with significant melodic and rhythmic demands. The original key of A places the peak melody at D5, which is at the upper limit of comfortable congregational singing, especially when sustained with intensity. The melody includes wide intervallic leaps and syncopated rhythms that are more performance-oriented than congregationally intuitive. Transposing down to G (recommended) brings the ceiling to B4, making it accessible to more voices. Even in a lower key, this song requires confident vocal leadership and a congregation willing to engage with moderate melodic complexity. Best suited for congregations with strong worship culture and vocal confidence.
Strong prophetic imagery drawn from Habakkuk and Ezekiel gives the song vivid, memorable language. The 'dry bones' and 'breathe upon the slain' phrases are evocative and biblically resonant. The repeated 'we need You' functions as both petition and confession, creating emotional weight. The song avoids worn-out worship cliches by leaning into specific Old Testament imagery rather than generic blessing language. However, some lines are more functional than poetic, prioritizing theological clarity and anthemic energy over lyrical craft. The repetition ratio is moderate, appropriate for a prayer-driven song.
Objections will center on charismatic overtones, the implied theology of revival as repeatable event, and the high-energy delivery that may feel performance-driven. These are manageable with pastoral framing. The song's biblical grounding in Habakkuk and Ezekiel provides strong defense, and its corporate petition posture aligns with Baptist prayer theology. Concerns about commanding the Spirit can be addressed by teaching the song as prophetic prayer, not sovereign directive.
Full analysis
This song is a corporate prayer for spiritual awakening, rooted deeply in the Old Testament prophetic tradition. The primary scriptural anchor is Habakkuk 3:2, where the prophet prays for God to renew His work in the present generation. Habakkuk stands between memory and hope, looking back at God's mighty acts in history and pleading for Him to act again in his own day. The song captures this posture perfectly, with the repeated plea 'do it again' functioning as both confession of need and expression of faith. The second major scriptural root is Ezekiel 37, the vision of the valley of dry bones. The song borrows the imagery of death, breath, and resurrection, applying it to the spiritually lifeless church. This is not innovative typology but a long-recognized application within Christian tradition - the church in need of God's vivifying Spirit.
Theologically, the song maintains a proper understanding of revival as God's sovereign work. It does not suggest that the congregation can manufacture spiritual awakening through enthusiasm or technique. Instead, it positions the church as dependent petitioner, crying out for what only God can do. The language of 'we need You' is confessional, acknowledging spiritual bankruptcy apart from divine intervention. The 'breathe' and 'fire' imagery recalls both Ezekiel and Pentecost, where the Spirit comes as wind and flame to enliven and empower the early church. The song does not promise outcomes or timelines but sustains a posture of longing and expectation, which is the biblical shape of faithful prayer. However, the energetic anthem style could subtly undermine this theology if not carefully framed. Worship leaders must guard against the impression that revival is a congregational achievement or that repeated petition can manipulate God's timing.
Musically, this song presents moderate to significant challenges for congregational singing. The original key of A places the peak melody at D5, which is at the upper edge of comfortable congregational range, especially when sung with the intensity the song demands. Transposing down to G or even F will make it more accessible to mixed congregations. The melody itself features wide intervallic leaps and syncopated rhythms that do not follow predictable stepwise motion, requiring rehearsal and confident vocal leadership. The tempo of 144 BPM is brisk, leaving little room for breath and requiring sustained energy from the congregation. This is not a song that will naturally invite participation from first-time visitors or vocally hesitant congregants. It is best suited for congregations with an established contemporary worship culture and vocal confidence.
Pastorally, this song is a powerful tool when used in the right context. It excels in seasons of corporate repentance, renewal emphasis, revival weeks, or extended prayer gatherings. It gives voice to a congregation's hunger for God's manifest presence and visible work. However, it should not be used casually or as filler in a standard worship rotation. The theology of revival it expresses requires teaching and framing - congregations need to understand that they are praying for God's sovereign action, not demanding a repeat performance. Worship leaders should introduce the song by grounding it in Habakkuk and Ezekiel, emphasizing that revival is not about emotional highs but about God making spiritually dead things live: conviction of sin, hunger for holiness, renewed love for Christ, and visible fruit of repentance. When used with this intentionality, the song becomes a biblically grounded, corporately unifying prayer that calls the church back to dependence on God.
Defense brief
Who raises this: Theologically cautious Baptists, cessationists, or those wary of revivalist emotionalism
The 'breathe' language is directly from Ezekiel 37:9-10, where God commands the prophet to call for breath to enter the slain, and they come to life. This is not fringe charismatic language but prophetic Scripture. Habakkuk 3:2 explicitly asks God to renew His deeds 'in our day,' which is the biblical basis for 'do it again.' Both are canonical prayers for God's manifest presence and renewing work.
Introduce this song as a prayer rooted in Habakkuk and Ezekiel, texts that long for God to act visibly and powerfully in His people's midst. Emphasize that revival is God's sovereign work, not a manufactured experience, and that we are praying for spiritual awakening in the biblical sense: conviction of sin, hunger for holiness, renewed love for Christ, and visible fruit of repentance. This is not about emotional highs but about God making dead things live.
Who raises this: Reformed Baptists, those sensitive to divine sovereignty and human presumption
Habakkuk 3:2 provides the biblical precedent for this language. The prophet does not presume but petitions, rooted in God's past faithfulness and His covenant promises. Jesus taught His disciples to pray persistently (Luke 18:1-8), and Paul commands the church to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Repeated petition is not presumption but faith-filled dependence.
Teach that 'do it again' is petition, not demand. We ask because God is faithful and has acted in history, not because we can control His sovereign timing. This is the posture of Habakkuk, Daniel, and the early church in Acts 4 - praying boldly because of who God is, while submitting to His wisdom and timing.
Who raises this: Congregants concerned about accessibility, older members, or those wary of performance-driven worship
Not applicable - this is a musical concern, not a theological one.
Acknowledge that this song requires more vocal and rhythmic confidence than many traditional hymns or simpler contemporary songs. It is best used when the congregation is vocally engaged and when the theme of revival or renewal is central to the service. Consider using it in a prayer service, revival week, or special emphasis rather than in every Sunday rotation. Transpose to a lower key to make it more accessible, and allow the congregation time to learn the melody over multiple uses.
Scripture map
Primary foundations
Supporting connections
Story behind the song
The song emerged from a collaboration between Brian Johnson of Bethel Music and Phil Wickham during a season when both artists were reflecting on the church's need for spiritual renewal. It was written with the specific intention of giving congregations language to pray for revival in the Habakkuk sense - asking God to renew His work in the present generation.
Worship Together interview, 2019
The song was released on Phil Wickham's 2019 album 'Living Hope,' which became one of the most significant worship albums of that year. The album's themes center on resurrection, hope, and the manifest presence of God, and this song functions as the corporate prayer cry within that broader theological vision.
Album context and liner notes
The song quickly gained traction in churches that were emphasizing prayer for spiritual awakening, particularly in the wake of cultural shifts and declining church engagement in the West. It has been widely used in revival services, prayer gatherings, and renewal conferences as a biblically grounded anthem of longing for God's visible work in the church.
CCLI usage data and worship leader reports
Themes
Sermon series fit
Audience fit
Maturity
Intermediate to mature believers who understand revival theology and are in a season of active spiritual hunger. Not ideal for seeker services or congregations unfamiliar with renewal language.
Age group
Best suited for young adults through middle-aged adults who are comfortable with contemporary anthem-style worship. Older adults may find the tempo and vocal range challenging.
Service type
Sunday morning worship during revival emphasis, midweek prayer services, extended worship nights, renewal conferences, or special prayer gatherings. Less suited for casual or visitor-heavy services.
Visitor-friendly
Low to moderate. The song assumes familiarity with biblical imagery (dry bones, Habakkuk) and contemporary worship style. Visitors may feel lost without context or may perceive it as performance-driven.
Special contexts
Exceptionally strong for revival weeks, corporate fasting and prayer initiatives, church planting send-offs, or seasons when the congregation is corporately seeking God's direction and renewal.
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