Dry Bones in Rural America…

Can These Bones Live?

Ezekiel 37:13-14 — “He said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ And I answered, ‘O Lord GOD, You know.’ Again He said to me, ‘Prophesy over these bones and say to them, “O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.”‘”

This passage has been a source of hope for rural churches for generations. The valley of dry bones is a picture of a community that has lost its vitality. The bones are scattered. The hope is gone. The future looks bleak.

But God asks Ezekiel a question: “Can these bones live?” And then He commands him to prophesy. To speak life into death. To declare God’s promise over a situation that looks hopeless.

That is what rural ministry requires. Not optimism. Not positive thinking. But prophetic faithfulness — speaking God’s truth over communities that look like they are dying.

The Reality of Rural Decline

Let us be honest: many rural communities are struggling. The USDA Economic Research Service reports that the number of rural people between ages 15 and 64 has fallen from over 30 million in 2010 to 28 million in 2023 (USDA ERS, Rural America at a Glance 2024). Schools are consolidating. Businesses are closing. Young people are leaving.

The Rural Church Institute found that many rural churches are declining, aging, and unsure how to reach the next generation (Outreach Magazine, Seeds of Growth, Signs of Struggle). The bones are real.

But here is what Ezekiel teaches us: God does not ask us to deny reality. He asks us to speak His truth into it.

What God Does with Dry Bones

Read Ezekiel 37 carefully. God does not just wave a hand and fix everything. He walks Ezekiel through a process:

First, God shows Ezekiel the reality. “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel.” God does not sugarcoat the situation. He shows Ezekiel exactly how bad it is.

Second, God asks a question. “Can these bones live?” This is not a rhetorical question. God is inviting Ezekiel to participate in the answer.

Third, God commands Ezekiel to prophesy. “Prophesy over these bones.” Speak God’s word into the situation. Declare what God has promised.

Fourth, God brings restoration. The bones come together. Sinews and flesh appear. Breath enters them. And they stand up — “an exceedingly great army” (Ezekiel 37:10).

What This Means for Rural Churches

The process Ezekiel describes is the process God uses to restore rural churches. It is not instant. It is not easy. But it is real.

God shows us the reality. He does not let us pretend everything is fine. He shows us the empty pews, the aging congregation, the struggling community. He wants us to see clearly.

God asks us to believe. “Can these bones live?” The answer is not “maybe” or “I hope so.” The answer is “O Lord GOD, You know.” It is an act of faith.

God calls us to prophesy. To speak His truth into the situation. To declare His promises over our communities. To refuse to accept decline as the final word.

God brings restoration. Not because we are faithful, but because He is. Not because we deserve it, but because He is gracious.

The Hard Work of Restoration

Restoration is not passive. Ezekiel had to prophesy. He had to speak. He had to obey. And then God did what only God can do.

For rural churches, restoration means:

Being honest about where you are. Do not pretend everything is fine. Name the struggles. Acknowledge the decline. And then ask God what He wants to do about it.

Being faithful with what you have. You may not have a big budget. You may not have a big building. You may not have a big staff. But you have the gospel. And the gospel is enough.

Being patient with the process. Restoration takes time. It took Ezekiel multiple prophesies before the bones came to life. Do not give up after the first attempt.

Being open to new things. God may restore your church in ways you did not expect. Be open to new methods, new people, new approaches. The Holy Spirit is creative.

The Promise

The promise of Ezekiel 37 is not just for ancient Israel. It is for every rural church that feels like it is dying. It is for every pastor who feels like they are preaching to dry bones. It is for every community that has lost hope.

God can bring life to dry bones. He has done it before. He can do it again.

The question is whether we will prophesy. Whether we will speak His truth into the situation. Whether we will believe that the God who raised Lazarus from the dead can raise our churches from decline.

Can these bones live?

O Lord GOD, You know.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ezekiel 37 mean for rural churches today?

Ezekiel 37 is a picture of God’s power to restore what seems dead. For rural churches facing decline, it is a reminder that God can bring life to any situation — no matter how hopeless it looks.

How do we “prophesy” over our church?

Prophesy in this context means speaking God’s truth and promises over your church. It means declaring faith over doubt, hope over despair, and life over death. It means refusing to accept decline as the final word.

What if our church has been declining for years?

It is never too late. God specializes in impossible situations. The bones in Ezekiel 37 were “very dry” — meaning they had been dead for a long time. And yet God brought them back to life.

How long does restoration take?

It depends. Some churches see quick turnaround. Others take years. The key is faithfulness. Keep prophesying. Keep believing. Keep serving. God will do His part.

Where can we find resources for church revitalization?

MinistryPlace.net offers church revitalization resources, replanting guides, and leadership toolkits designed for small and rural churches. The Rural Church Institute at Wheaton College also has resources for church renewal.

---

Brent Lacy has spent over 25 years in small-town and rural ministry. He has seen churches on the brink of closure come back to life. He knows that God specializes in dry bones.