Grandma used to pray out loud
By her bed every night
To me it sounded like mumbling
Like she was out of her mind
She said boy this kind of praying is what saved my life
You oughta try it some time
Now I know she was right
She was talking to Jesus
She was talking to Jesus
She’d been talking to Jesus for all of her life
Mama used to drag me to church
Sunday morning and Wednesday nights
Khaki pants and a polo shirt
Boy I put up a fight
She said, son, one day you’ll thank me for having God in your life
And yeah I know she was right
Yeah my mama was right
Cause now I’m talking to Jesus
She got me talking to Jesus
She got me talking to Jesus
Yeah my mama was right
Cause now I’m talking to Jesus
Yeah I love talking to Jesus
And I'll be talking to Jesus
For the rest of my life
What a friend we have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus
Oh
I've got 3 of my own now
Trying to raise them up right
My oldest is 15 and I remember what that was like
Trying to deal with the drama, trying to figure out the questions in life
I’ve been looking for a way to show him how to make it alright
Then he walked in my room while I was saying my prayers the other night
He said I’ll come back later, I can tell you got a lot on your mind
I said it’s not an interruption, you couldn’t have picked a better time
Cause I was just talking to Jesus, come over and give it a try
We started talking to Jesus
We started talking to Jesus
We started talking to Jesus
Oh
And now he’s talking to Jesus
Thank God he’s talking to Jesus
I hope he’s talking to Jesus
For the rest of his life
There’s no wrong way to do it
There’s no bad time to start
It don't have to sound pretty
Just tell him what’s on your heart
Cause it’s not a religion
It’s more like a friendship
Just talk to your Father
Like you are his kid
Just start talking to Jesus
Just start talking to Jesus
You can talk to Jesus
Whenever you like
Just start talking to Jesus
Just start talking to Jesus
Just keep talking to Jesus
For the rest of your life
Talking To Jesus
Talking To Jesus Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Released on April 9, 2021, as part of their collaborative album "Old Church Basement," "Talking To Jesus" is a powerful song by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music that explores the simple yet profound act of prayer and the legacy of faith passed through generations. The song tells a personal story, beginning with the narrator's childhood observations of his grandmother's seemingly strange "mumbling" prayers, which he later understands were vital conversations with Jesus that sustained her. This initial resistance evolves as he recounts his mother's persistence in taking him to church, despite his protests, recognizing now that her efforts were instrumental in bringing God into his life.
The core message solidifies as the narrative shifts to the present, where the narrator, now a parent himself, is raising his own children. Facing the challenges of guiding his teenage son, he is presented with an unexpected opportunity when his son walks in on him praying. Instead of ending his prayer, the narrator invites his son to join him, introducing him to the same practice passed down from his own grandmother and mother. This generational transfer of faith underscores the song's theme, demonstrating how a personal connection with Jesus can be shared and continued.
The song emphasizes the accessible nature of prayer, describing it not as a formal religious ritual but as a personal relationship and conversation. Lines within the song explicitly state that "it's not a religion, it's more like a friendship." The lyrics encourage listeners by asserting there is "no wrong way to do it," "no bad time to start," and that it doesn't need to "sound pretty." The invitation is simply to "tell him what's on your heart" and "talk to your Father like you are his kid." This depiction aligns with the biblical understanding of prayer as direct communication with God, our heavenly Father, available to anyone who believes.
A significant moment in the song is the inclusion of the familiar hymn lyric, "What a friend we have in Jesus." This interjection reinforces the song's central message that prayer is a conversation with a close friend, someone who understands and is readily available. This aligns with scriptures that portray God as a loving Father and Jesus as a friend to believers (John 15:15, Romans 8:15). The act of prayer itself is widely encouraged throughout the Bible, often described as pouring out one's heart to God (Psalm 62:8) or persistent communication (Luke 18:1). The song serves as an inspirational reminder that this powerful connection is always open, encouraging listeners to embrace the simple, life-sustaining practice of talking to Jesus, just as generations before them have.
