Doe Jones - When I Pray Lyrics
Lyrics
Intro
Woah, mm-ah
Yeah-yeah, ooh, mm
Verse 1
I'm carrying all of the world on my shoulders
And it's gotten too heavy for me
You know I ain't no Hercules
Life moves on
Stuff breaks down
People fall off
Gotta find a way to get over
Gotta find a way to get through
Breakthrough, hear You
Struggles they last, but as time pass
It's been one thing after the other
Chorus
Oh
I don't always know the right way, no
I don't always know what to say
But all I know is something happens when I pray
I know I can get through when I pray
I know I can reach You when I call Your name
You're never too busy for me
You're never too busy for me
When I, oh
Verse 2
I found myself at the end of the road
Looking for it and I see a fork in the road
Hell, if I know
Which way to go
I feel so alone
Life is so, so cold (Oh)
I'm not very eloquent in speech
I don't always know how to sound holy when I speak
Papa told me something happens
Chorus
When I pray
I know I can get through when I pray (Oh)
I know I can reach You when I call Your name (When I pray)
You're never too busy for me
You're never too busy for me
When I pray
I know I can get through when I pray
I know I can reach You when I call Your name
You're never too busy for me
You're never too busy for me
When I pray
Bridge
I know You will never leave me dry
It's not in Your nature to turn away
When the humble pray
When I cry
I know You will never leave me empty
It's not in Your nature to turn away
From the humble
When I pray
Chorus
I know I can get through when I pray (Hey, yeah)
I know I can reach You when I call Your name (Ooh, when I call Your name)
You're never too busy for me (You're never too busy)
You're never too busy for me
When I pray
I know I can get through when I pray
I know I can reach You when I call Your name (Oh)
You're never too busy for me (No, no)
You're never too busy for me
When I pray
I know I can get through when I pray (When I pray)
I know I can reach You when I call Your name (When I pray)
You're never too busy for me (Never, never too busy)
You're never too busy for me
When I pray (When I pray)
I know I can get through when I pray (When I pray)
I know I can reach You when I call Your name
You're never too busy for me
You're never too busy for me
When I pray
Outro
*Beep*
Hey Doe, dad here
Just thinkin' about you, baby, and I just want to encourage you
To remember the privilege you have to approach Him
To walk right up to Him and get whatever you need
Because something happens when we talk to God
I love you, sweetie
Video
DOE - When I Pray (Official Music Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Doe Jones's "When I Pray," released on January 14, 2022, offers a raw and honest exploration of faith as a lifeline in the midst of life's overwhelming challenges. The song doesn't shy away from the burdens of existence, with Jones immediately admitting, "I'm carrying all of the world on my shoulders," a sentiment that resonates deeply with anyone who has felt the weight of responsibility and hardship. This feeling of being overburdened finds echoes in scriptures like Isaiah 9:6, which speaks of the government being upon the shoulders of the promised Messiah, but here, Jones expresses the human experience of struggling under that very weight. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of life's unpredictable nature: "Stuff breaks down, people fall off," highlighting the fragility of our circumstances and relationships, a truth acknowledged throughout the Bible, from the transient nature of earthly kingdoms to the betrayal experienced by even the most faithful.
The core of "When I Pray" lies in its powerful testament to the efficacy of prayer, even when words fail and direction is unclear. Jones articulates a common struggle: "I don't always know the right way, no, I don't always know what to say." This vulnerability is not a weakness but a relatable gateway to the song's central message. It mirrors the disciples’ own plea to Jesus in Luke 11:1, "Lord, teach us to pray." The profound realization that "something happens when I pray" is the anthem of the track, suggesting a divine intervention and a tangible connection that transcends human limitations. The chorus repeatedly asserts, "I know I can get through when I pray," and "I know I can reach You when I call Your name," underscoring the direct access and assurance that prayer provides, aligning with promises like Philippians 4:6-7, which assures peace for those who bring their requests to God in prayer. The repeated affirmation, "You're never too busy for me," directly counters feelings of abandonment or insignificance, reminding listeners of God’s constant presence and attentiveness, as promised in Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
The second verse delves deeper into moments of profound disorientation, describing a state of being "at the end of the road" with a "fork in the road," feeling utterly alone and that "life is so, so cold." This imagery of desolation and uncertainty finds parallels in the psalms, where David often cries out in distress, yet always returns to faith. Jones's admission of not being "eloquent in speech" or knowing "how to sound holy" further humanizes the prayer experience, suggesting that sincerity and a humble heart are more crucial than polished rhetoric. This is powerfully reinforced by the bridge, which emphasizes that divine grace is available "when the humble pray" and "when I cry," suggesting that God’s nature is to never "turn away" from those who approach Him with genuine need. This resonates with James 4:10, which encourages humbling oneself before the Lord, so that He may lift you up. The inclusion of the spoken outro from "Dad" further grounds the song in personal experience and loving encouragement, reiterating the privilege and power of approaching God, and concluding with the simple yet profound truth, "something happens when we talk to God," encapsulating the song's earnest and inspiring message of hope through persistent, faithful prayer.