Doe Jones - When I Pray Lyrics

Lyrics

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
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

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 sound holy when I speak
Papa told me 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 pray

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

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

Video

DOE - When I Pray (Official Music Video)

Meaning & Inspiration

Doe Jones' "When I Pray," released on January 14, 2022, is a powerful testament to the transformative strength found in prayer, particularly within the Christian faith. The song delves into the profound human experience of feeling overwhelmed by life's burdens, acknowledging the weight of the world that can press down on even the strongest shoulders. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of vulnerability, recognizing that we are not "Hercules" and that life’s inevitable challenges – things breaking, people leaving – can leave us feeling lost and alone, at a crossroads with no clear direction. This raw honesty resonates deeply, mirroring the Psalms where David often cries out in distress, lamenting, "My heart is pained within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling have seized me, and horror overwhelmed me" (Psalm 55:4-5).

However, "When I Pray" does not dwell in despair. Instead, it pivots towards a beacon of hope, a divine solace found in turning to God. The core message is that regardless of our eloquence or our perceived spiritual standing, something fundamental shifts when we engage in prayer. The repetition of "I don’t always know the right way… I don’t always know what to say, but all I know is something happens when I pray" underscores a faith that transcends intellectual understanding, resting instead on experienced efficacy. This sentiment is echoed throughout Scripture, where the efficacy of prayer is consistently affirmed. For instance, James 5:16b declares, "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working," and Jesus Himself instructed His disciples to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), implying a continuous reliance and connection. The song’s assertion that God is "never too busy" for us is a direct reflection of God's omnipresence and unwavering availability, a promise found in Hebrews 4:16, which encourages us to "approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need." The lyrics further emphasize God's steadfast nature, stating, "You will never leave me dry… It’s not in Your nature to turn away… when the humble pray." This aligns perfectly with the assurance in Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." The song’s ultimate message is one of enduring faith and unwavering hope, reminding listeners that in moments of deepest struggle and confusion, the act of prayer opens a direct channel to divine strength, guidance, and an unshakeable presence that sustains us through every trial.