Lyrics
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gon' come
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gon' come, oh yes, it will
People hurting, people broken
Beaten down and feeling hopeless
Wonder if it's gonna always be this way
Who will speak up for the captive
Show some love and heal a past that
Binds the wounds we think will never go away
But what if we could be a people on our knees
As one before the King
'Cause we believe
All the world starts changing
When the church starts praying
Strongholds start to break
Oh, when we pray
Prison walls start shaking
At the sound of praising
Nothing stays the same
Oh, when we pray
Oh, when we pray, oh
I see revival rising
I see hope on the horizon
As a generation stepping out in faith
Because we will be a people on our knees
As one before the King
Yeah we believe
All the world starts changing
When the church starts praying
Strongholds start to break
Oh, when we pray
Prison walls start shaking
At the sound of praising
Nothing stays the same
Oh, when we pray
Oh, when we pray, oh
Let Your kingdom come, Lord
Let Your will be done
All the world starts changing
When the church starts praying
Strongholds start to break
Oh, when we pray
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
This medley connects longing for social change with the church gathered in prayer. It begins by acknowledging pain, captivity, brokenness, and wounds that appear resistant to healing. Instead of treating hope as passive optimism, the lyric pictures believers kneeling together before the King, speaking for captives, showing love, and stepping out in faith. Prayer becomes both dependence on God and readiness for faithful action.
Images of breaking strongholds and shaking prison walls recall biblical scenes in which prayer accompanies divine deliverance. The request for Gods kingdom and will to come closely echoes the prayer Jesus taught his disciples. Revival, praise, and hope are therefore framed as works sought from God rather than achievements credited to human strength. The repeated conviction that change follows prayer gives the song its central movement: public suffering is brought before the King, and the praying church expects entrenched conditions to yield as Gods reign becomes visible.
Related Scripture
- Matthew 6:10 Jesus teaches his disciples to pray for Gods kingdom to come and his will to be done.
- Acts 12:5-7 The church prays earnestly while Peter is imprisoned, and God delivers him.
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 God calls his people to humble themselves, pray, and turn to him for healing.