His newest album, The Exile, features the standout lead single, “Grave Robber.” Every song on this stellar collection displays Crowder’s heart behind his actions—leading people in worship. It demonstrates, once again, the passion and energy that have made Crowder one of Christian music's most compelling artists.
True to form, The Exile reflects real life and emotion, from longing and struggle to breakthrough and gratitude. It reflects Crowder’s forthright songwriting and intimate, unmistakable vocals backed by robust arrangements.
The album derives its power from the intertwining of life and music. Crowder can craft a catchy, truth-filled chorus. Like his previous hits, “Grave Robber” and “Somebody Prayed.” The Exile is catchy, relevant, and worshipful, one of my top albums of 2024.
Crowder introduced the world to a new genre of music known as “folktronica,” or a mixture of acoustic sounds and electronic beats. Don’t miss seeing Crowder and his band sing his incredible songs live. I spoke with Crowder about his recent singles, “Grave Robber” and “Somebody Prayed.”
Tell me the personal story behind the song “Grave Robber.”
“Grave Robber” sets the tone for the entire album. It’s based on one of my favorite Bible stories, the tale of Lazarus. Everyone knows the verse “Jesus wept.” He knows He will be calling His friend out of the grave, and He still empathizes with us in grief.
Jesus calls Lazarus out of the grave, and that's what this song is for me. It doesn't matter what you're up against in life; it doesn't matter how bleak it feels; Jesus can conquer anything. If He can conquer death, if the resurrection is for real—which it is—then He's got you. That's who you're following, somebody who conquered death, and I hope it's as meaningful to you as it is for me.
Tell me the personal story behind the song “Somebody Prayed.”
It is so life-giving to create music, allowing us to express the challenges, beauty, and promises of these days. Somebody Prayed” encourages us that the promise of His presence never leaves us. He is with us always.
This song is also based on an attitude of defiance. I toured with the pop artist TobyMac for “Hits Deep” for two years and with Cochren & Co. When the Nashville school shooting happened, we were on that tour. We carried it heavily. Online social media ridiculed “thoughts and prayers” over that situation. The only people who can say that haven’t seen the power of prayer. Things happen that you can’t explain, humanly speaking. This song is based on the idea that I wouldn’t be talking with you right now about Jesus unless somebody prayed for me.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the songs?
Romans 8:31 (NKJV): "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:38-39(NKJV): "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:28(VOICE): "We are confident that God can orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan."
Acts 17:30-31(MSG): "God overlooks it as long as you don't know any better—but that time is past. The unknown is now known, and He's calling for a radical life change. He set a day for the entire human race to be judged and everything set right. And He has appointed the judge, confirming Him before everyone by raising Him from the dead."
Ephesians 2:4-5(NIV): "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions---it is by grace you have been saved."
1 Corinthians 1:27(VOICE): "But celebrate this: God selected the world's foolish to bring shame upon those who think they are wise; likewise, He selected the world's weak to bring disgrace upon those who think they are strong."
What is the takeaway message of both songs?
“Grave Robber” is “resurrection rock.” Lazarus died for four days, and his friend Jesus showed up. He’s got his other pals there, like Mary and Martha. Martha’s like, “Man, Jesus, if you had just shown up sooner, this wouldn’t have happened.” Then she says, “But, You can do anything.” So, what does He do? He calls Lazarus out of the grave.
In the song, Jesus is compared to a grave robber, “Like a thief in the night, He snuck in, took my life. I was dead. Now, I’m alive and singing.”
Prayer works. Know that your name is being called and you are being prayed for, by name. The power of prayer is a fantastic thing to celebrate. I'm only where I am today because somebody prayed. And that somebody is my mama. Who is the “somebody” in your story?
“Grave Robber”
I used to live like a rebel Didn’t wanna behave Thought a wretch like me couldn’t ever be saved But everything changed, I remember the day When I heard Him calling my name Like a thief in the night He snuck in, took my life I was dead now I’m alive and singing I got stolen by the grave robber Picked me up from that rock-bottom Washed my soul in that Holy water Brought me back to life One more stone rolled away One more sinner been saved by grace This dead man, he ain’t dead no longer All because of that grave robber Maybe you’re the one thinking That you’ll never be right Even though your momma praying for you every night Praying Jesus gonna find you and open your eyes Well, maybe right now’s that time Like a thief in the night He’ll sneak in, take your life That resurrection gonna have you singing Taking my sin, taking my shame Breaking my soul out of these chains I’m a dead man living And God did it Taking my sin, taking my shame Breaking my soul out of these chains I’ve been forgiven And God did it Jesus is the rock, and he rolls my grave away All because of that grave robber Jesus is the rock, and he - All because of that grave robber
“Somebody Prayed”
Somebody prayed Every night, there by your bed You fold your hands and bow your head Throwing out another prayer in faith When you wonder if He’s hearing you Look at me I’m living proof I’m only right where I am today Because somebody prayed
So, I hit my knees Cause I’ve seen all heaven move (Don’t matter if you hit rock bottom, My God pick you up when you call Him) I pray, Father, please Cause I’ve seen what He can do (Don’t matter if the storm cloud coming, My God come through when you call Him) These hands have no power But there ain’t an hour He don’t come through That’s why when mountains move, I say Looks like somebody prayed
For the child of God that’s far from home The one who thinks they’re too far gone I’m throwing out another prayer in faith Worn-out altars, tear-stained pews Still, I won’t give up on you I believe that anything can change When somebody prays
I’ve seen miracles come from feeble words I’ve seen hospital rooms turned into cathedrals And I’ve seen freedom come to the prisoner You can’t tell me that prayer don’t work
Every night, there by your bed When you fold your hands and bow your head Not a single word you’ve ever said in vain Cause He hears everything
Closing Thoughts
Jesus came to claim us, set us free from the burden of sin, and give us rest. Communion with Jesus is joyful and not a burden. “Grave Robber” and “Somebody Prayed” celebrate God's love despite our brokenness. These songs challenge us to think about what we allow to rule our hearts instead of giving ourselves entirely to God.
Jesus died on the cross to set us free from the battle of our minds, from sin and death. And He wants us to have abundant life in Him. What a wonderful, encouraging truth. God knows us intimately. And, because of what Jesus did on the cross, He sees us as holy, righteous, redeemed, chosen, fully known, and forgiven—no matter what we've done. If you've put all your hope and trust in Jesus, nothing can separate you from His love.
Being a Christian means that we walk by faith, not by sight. Faith requires us to rely on the unseen. We all walk by faith every day. The beauty of walking by faith and not by sight is that we can learn to trust God with our lives fully. “Grave Robber” reflects that truth beautifully with the lyrics, “Like a thief in the night He snuck in, took my life. I was dead. Now, I’m alive and singing.”
My pastor said that Jesus had to clarify, “Lazarus, come out of the grave,” because if He hadn’t called Lazarus by name, everyone would have come out of the grave. Jesus calls each of us by our names, and we know that Jesus is calling us as Christians out of our graves, calling us by name. I hear this song as Jesus saying, “Kevin, come out of that grave.”
The Bible tells us that we can do anything in Christ with faith. I'm entirely convicted by the strong lyrics and find immense comfort in this song filled with biblical truth. His love is never-ending, and He is our refuge and our strength. God sees us as He sees His Son. He knows our names and loves us so much that He came to die for us.
Jesus invites us to come to Him, and He'll give us rest. Grace is freely given and isn't something we can earn through good works. It is a gift from God by faith in Christ Jesus. The message of this song challenges listeners to think about our doubts and how Jesus calls us to rely on Him and the power of His resurrection to remember that He has overcome death and fear.
God is calling our name. He is genuine, He is near, and He is just a breath away. He is the author of our lives and knows what's best for us—much better than we do. That's why we sing these empowering anthems at the top of our lungs in gratefulness to Him. If you are looking for a firm foundation in your life, make these lyrics of “Somebody Prayed” your prayer: “But there ain’t an hour He don’t come through/That’s why when mountains move, I say/Looks like somebody prayed.” Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a long-time Christian music fan and an avid collector. He credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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