Unanswered Prayers
Brooks Jefferson Lyrics
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My wife and I ran into my old high school flame
And as I introduced them the past came back to me
And I couldn′t help but think of the way things used to be
She was the one that I'd wanted for all times
And each night I′d spend prayin' that God would make her mine
And if he'd only grant me this wish I wished back then
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you′re talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn′t answer doesn't mean he don′t care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
She wasn′t quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams
And I could tell that time had changed me
In her eyes too it seemed
We tried to talk about the old days
There wasn't much we could recall
I guess the Lord knows what he's doin′ after all
And as she walked away and I looked at my wife
And then and there I thanked the good Lord
For the gifts in my life
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you′re talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he may not answer doesn′t mean he don't care
Some of God′s greatest gifts are unanswered
Some of God's greatest gifts are all too often unanswered...
Some of God′s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
Brooks Jefferson's song Unanswered Prayers tells the story of a man who runs into his old high school flame at a hometown football game while attending the game with his wife. As he introduces his wife to his old flame, memories flood back of the one that he had "wanted for all times" and would spend each night praying to God to make her his. If only God would have granted him that wish, he pled, he'd never ask for anything again. However, upon meeting her again, he realizes that she wasn't quite the angel he had remembered and that time had changed both of them. They tried to talk about the old days but there wasn't much they could recall. As she walked away, he looked at his wife and realized that he should thank the Good Lord for the gifts in his life, including unanswered prayers. Sometimes, as the chorus states, "Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers."
This song emphasizes the importance of trusting the universe's plan for you and that sometimes the things we think we want may not end up being what we need or what is best for us. The singer had spent so much time pining over this woman, praying for her to be his, but in the end, she wasn't the right fit for him. If God had answered his prayers, he may have missed out on the love of his life, his wife. Overall, the song encourages listeners to trust that everything happens for a reason and to be grateful for the blessings in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Just the other night at a hometown football game
Recently, at a local football game
My wife and I ran into my old high school flame
Met up with my ex from high school in front of my spouse
And as I introduced them the past came back to me
Memories surfaced as I introduced them
And I couldn't help but think of the way things used to be
Nostalgia overcame me and I thought of the past
She was the one that I'd wanted for all times
She was my ideal partner
And each night I'd spend prayin' that God would make her mine
I used to pray every night for her to be my romantic partner
And if he'd only grant me this wish I wished back then
If God had granted my wish for her to be with me
I'd never ask for anything again
I would have been satisfied and never wanted anything else
Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
I am grateful for prayers that went unanswered
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
Keep in mind when praying to God
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
God may still care even if prayers go unanswered
She wasn't quite the angel that I remembered in my dreams
She was not as perfect as I had imagined her to be
And I could tell that time had changed me
I realized that time had altered my perspective
In her eyes too it seemed
She appeared to have changed as well
We tried to talk about the old days
We attempted to reminisce about our past
There wasn't much we could recall
We could not remember many details
I guess the Lord knows what he's doin' after all
I believe that God has a plan, even if we may not understand it
And as she walked away and I looked at my wife
As she departed, I gazed at my spouse
And then and there I thanked the good Lord
I expressed gratitude to God at that moment
For the gifts in my life
For the blessings in my life
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
I believe that sometimes not getting what we desired is a blessing
Some of God's greatest gifts are all too often unanswered...
The best things in life sometimes come in unexpected ways
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers
Sometimes not receiving what we prayed for is a blessing in disguise
Writer(s): Alger Patrick, Brooks Troyal Garth, Bastian Larry B
Contributed by Elena C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.