I pray you'll be our eyes
And watch us where we go,
And help us to be wise
In times when we don't know.
Let this be our prayer
When we lose our way.
Lead us to a place,
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe.
I pray we'll find your light,
I pray we'll find your light,
And hold it in our hearts,
And hold it in our hearts.
When stars go out each night,
Stars go out each night,
Remind us where you are,
Remind us where you are.
Let this be our prayer,
Let this be our prayer,
When shadows fill our day,
When shadows fill our day.
Oh, oh, Lord, lead us to a place up there,
Guide us with your grace,
Guide us with your grace,
Give us faith so we'll be safe.
A world where pain and sorrow will be ended,
And every heart, that's broken, will be mended.
And we'll remember we are all God's children
Reaching out to touch you,
Reaching to the sky.
We ask that life be kind,
We ask that life be kind,
And watch us from above,
And watch us from above.
We hope each soul will find,
We hope each soul will find,
Another soul to love,
Another soul to love.
Let this be our prayer,
Let this be our prayer.
Just like every child,
Just like every child
Needs to find a place,
Guide us with your grace,
Give us faith so we'll be safe.
Needs to find a place.
Guide us with your grace,
Give us faith so we'll be safe.
The Prayer
The Prayer Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
"The Prayer" as performed by Donnie McClurkin is a deeply moving and resonant piece, presenting a heartfelt petition to the divine. The song functions entirely as a prayer, articulating universal human needs for guidance, safety, light, healing, and love. Released with a video component on April 1, 2019, this rendition offers a powerful vocal performance that emphasizes the sincerity and weight of the lyrical content, bringing the spiritual requests to life for the listener.
The essence of the prayer begins with a request for divine oversight and wisdom, acknowledging moments of uncertainty and vulnerability. The plea to be led and guided by grace towards a place of safety forms a central theme, expressing a desire for protection and security amidst life's unpredictable journey. This sets the tone for a song that is inherently reliant on faith in a higher power for navigation and refuge.
Further into the prayer, there is a yearning to find and hold onto divine light, serving as a constant reminder of God's presence even when circumstances seem dark or challenging, metaphorically when the "stars go out". The prayer intensifies with a call for relief from worldly suffering, envisioning a state where pain and sorrow cease, and broken hearts are mended. This segment beautifully underscores a hope for spiritual and emotional restoration, recognizing a shared identity as "God's children" reaching out in unison.
The prayer extends to encompass human relationships, asking for life to be kind and for individuals to find love and connection with one another. It underscores the fundamental human need for belonging and companionship, viewed through a spiritual lens of being watched over. The recurring theme of needing guidance for safety is reinforced by comparing this spiritual need to a child's inherent requirement for a secure place, reiterating the plea for grace and faith to ensure safety.
The prayer's structure, with its repetitions and layered requests, creates a meditative and earnest atmosphere. It encapsulates a journey from acknowledging weakness and confusion to seeking strength, light, and ultimately, a state of safety and unity under divine care. This profound expression of faith resonates with anyone seeking solace and direction.
Several scriptures echo the themes found in "The Prayer." The request for guidance is paralleled in Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." The desire for safety and refuge is strongly reflected in Psalm 91:1-2: "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" The prayer for healing and mending hearts aligns with Psalm 147:3: "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." The acknowledgment of being "God's children" is a fundamental concept in 1 John 3:1: "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" Finally, the plea for faith to be safe connects with Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." These scriptural connections highlight the deep biblical roots of the sentiments expressed in the song. The prayer stands as a powerful testament to the enduring human need for divine connection and intervention.
