Green took to music at a young age, and his talents were noted by major newspapers by the time he was only eight years old. Following a performance of Arthur Laurents' The Time of the Cuckoo, the Los Angeles Times wrote that "roguish-looking, eight-year-old Keith Green gave a winning performance," one that "stole the show". Green went on to play "Kurt Von Trapp" in a major production of The Sound of Music.
At the age of eleven, Green became the youngest person ever to sign with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) when he published, recorded and released the song "The Way I Used to Be".
In his early teens, with more than 50 original songs under his belt, Green was signed to Decca Records. Decca had plans to make Green a teen-idol, regularly getting the young man featured in fanzines like Teen Scene and on popular television shows like The Jack Benny Show and Steve Allen's show. Time Magazine called Green "a prepubescent dreamboat". His dreams of stardom were shattered, however, when Donny Osmond stole his short-lived spotlight and Green was quickly forgotten.
By his mid-teens, Green became heavily involved in drug use, eastern religion, astrology, and mysticism. After experiencing a really horrifying "bad trip", he abandoned drug use and also became bitter towards philosophy and theology in general. In the midst of his skepticism, as Green described it, God's love 'broke through' his 'calloused heart'. He began on a new path 'with Christ as his guru', but had many 'spiritual struggles' and hardships along the way. He married his wife Melody in 1973, and the two became involved in the Vineyard fellowship in Southern California, where they were introduced to Bob Dylan.
The Greens began an outreach program to their community by purchasing two homes (and renting five) to provide housing and care for prostitutes, drug addicts, and homeless people. Eventually, the couple and the rest of their group relocated to Lindale, Texas, where the Greens founded Last Days Ministries.
Green began to release a series of albums in the new Contemporary Christian music market in 1977, after being signed to Sparrow Records and working on their Christian musical album Firewind (1976) with 2nd Chapter of Acts, Terry Talbot, John Talbot, and Barry McGuire. Two years later, Keith would shock many in the industry by refusing to charge money for concerts or albums. He insisted that his new label, Sparrow Records, let him out of his contract. The Greens then mortgaged their home to privately finance the album So You Wanna Go Back To Egypt? (with a guest appearance by Bob Dylan), which was then offered through mail-order and at concerts for "whatever you could afford". As of May of 1982, Green had shipped out more than 200,000 units of his album - 61,000 for free.
Last Days Ministries also began publishing a self-described "small, colorful magazine" called the Last Days Newsletter. The magazine featured articles by Keith and Melody as well as contemporary authors such as David Wilkerson, Leonard Ravenhill, and Winkie Pratney, all of whom lived in the area, as well as reprinting work by earlier Christian workers such as Charles Finney, John Wesley, and William Booth and his wife Catherine. The newsletter had such an impact on the Christian community at the time that many of the articles were reprinted as tracts.
Green was killed on July 28, 1982, when a small airplane owned by Last Days Ministries crashed on takeoff. Green had planned to give visiting friends an aerial view of the Last Days Ministries compound. Two of Green's children, three year old Josiah, and two year old Bethany, were also on board the plane, as was pilot Don Burmeister, and friends John and Dede Smalley and all six of their children. All passengers were killed in the crash. Crash investigators determined that the aircraft was nearly 500 lb (230 kg) overweight with 12 passengers and only 6 seats. Keith, Josiah, and Bethany Green are interred at Lindale Cemetery.
In 1992, several artists joined together to re-record many of Green's most well known songs for a tribute album called No Compromise: Remembering the Music of Keith Green, on Sparrow Records. Artists contributing to that record included Charlie Peacock, PFR, Susan Ashton, Margaret Becker, Michael Card, Rich Mullins, and Russ Taff. BEC Records released a second, more modern, tribute record Start Right Here: Remembering the Life of Keith Green, in 2001. That tribute was produced by Derri Daugherty and included performances by MxPx, Joy Electric and others. In 2002, upon the twentieth anniversary of Keith's death, Sparrow Records released another tribute album. Your Love Broke Through: The Worship Songs of Keith Green contains re-recordings by Rebecca St. James, Michelle Tumes, Chris Tomlin, Twila Paris, Darlene Zschech, Jason Upton, Martin Smith, Charlie Hall, Joanne Hogg, Matt Redman, Paul Oakley, and Sarah Sadler. This album also includes "There Is One" performed by Michael W. Smith, which was an unfinished work completed by Michael W. Smith and Martin Smith.
Since the time of his death, the only known unreleased Christian song recorded by Keith was "Born Again". This song was finally released 17 years later in 1999 on the First Love compilation video and CD, which also features a two-song tribute to Keith by other artists. Keith was working on other songs at the time of his death, but these are in the sole-possession of his widowed-wife, Melody Green, and not available to the public. Melody inherited Keith's writings as well, and she has released many excerpts of these as books: Cry In The Wilderness (Sparrow, 1993), If You Love the Lord (Harvest House, 2000), and Make My Life a Prayer (Harvest House, 2001).
On November 27, 2001, Green was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Keith's mother, Char Green was present with a heavy heart but very proud of her son.
Since 1982, Melody Green has continued to operate Last Days Ministries from Oceanside, California, and has "become an internationally known speaker and author". She now ministers as a Christian prophet and a touring evangelist.
The land in Lindale, Texas (more specifically, Garden Valley, Texas) where Last Days Ministries was once located is now occupied by Teen Mania Ministries. Teen Mania has dedicated one of its dormitories, Green Hall, in memory of Keith.
There is a biography of Keith Green's life written by Melody Green with David Hazard called No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green (Harvest House Publishers, 1989; revised and expanded in 2000) and a documentary film called Your Love Broke Through: The Keith Green Story (available from www.keithgreen.com and serialized on youtube.com).
Make My Life A Prayer To You
Keith Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna do what you want me to
No empty words and no white lies
No token prayers no compromise
I wanna shine the light you gave
Through your son you sent to save us
From ourselves and our despair
[Chorus]
Well I wanna thank you know
For being patient with me
Oh it's so hard to see
When my eyes are on me
I guess I'll have to trus
And just believe what you say
Oh you're coming again
Coming to take me away
I wanna die and let you give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope you gave me
The love that set me free
I wanna tell the world out there
You're not some fable or fairy tale
That I've made up inside my head
You're God the son and you've risen from the dead
[Chorus]
I wanna die and let you give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope you gave me
The love that set me free
In "Make My Life A Prayer To You," Keith Green sings of his desire to live a life that honors and pleases God. He begins by expressing a commitment to do what God wants him to do, rejecting "empty words" and "token prayers." He asks God to enable him to "shine the light" that God has given him through his son, Jesus Christ, who saved humanity from sin and despair. Green takes comfort in the knowledge that God is present and real, and expresses gratitude for God's patience with him.
In the chorus, Green acknowledges that he struggles to see beyond his own desires and concerns, and admits that he must trust and believe in God's promises, including the promise of Christ's return to take believers to heaven. He then reiterates his desire to receive Christ's life and love, and to share that hope and freedom with others. Green concludes by affirming that God is not a fictional construct, but a living, resurrected deity.
Overall, "Make My Life A Prayer To You" is a heartfelt expression of devotion to God and a rejection of shallow, self-centered religiosity. The lyrics encourage listeners to seek a deeper connection with God, to trust in his promises, and to live a life grounded in faith.
Line by Line Meaning
Make my life a prayer to you
Let my life be devoted to you and dedicated to serving you
I wanna do what you want me to
I want to follow your will for my life and obey your commands
No empty words and no white lies
I don't want to speak insincere or dishonest words in my prayers or in my life
No token prayers no compromise
I don't want to offer empty or meaningless prayers, and I don't want to compromise my faith or beliefs
I wanna shine the light you gave
I want to be a beacon of light and hope to others, reflecting the light that you have given me
Through your son you sent to save us
I acknowledge that Jesus Christ is your son, sent to save humanity from sin and death
From ourselves and our despair
Jesus provides hope and salvation even in the midst of the darkness and hopelessness of life
It comforts me to know you're really there
The knowledge that you are real and present in my life brings me comfort and peace
Well I wanna thank you now
I express my gratitude to you at this moment
For being patient with me
I am thankful for your patience, grace, and forgiveness, despite my mistakes and failures
Oh it's so hard to see
Sometimes it is difficult to understand your plans or see your hand at work in my life
When my eyes are on me
When I am focused on myself, my desires or my plans, it's hard to see you or your will
I guess I'll have to trust
I acknowledge that I need to trust you, even when things don't make sense or seem difficult
And just believe what you say
I put my faith and trust in your word and your promises
Oh you're coming again
I believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ
Coming to take me away
I believe that Jesus will take me to be with him in heaven when he returns
I wanna die and let you give
I am willing to surrender my life to you, to die to myself and let you live in me
Your life to me so I might live
I believe that true life and purpose comes from following you and living according to your will for my life
And share the hope you gave me
I want to share the hope, joy and love that comes from knowing and following you
The love that set me free
I believe that your love sets me free from sin, guilt and shame, and gives me hope and a future
I wanna tell the world out there
I want to proclaim the truth of who you are to the world around me
You're not some fable or fairy tale
I believe that you are real, and not just a myth or legend
That I've made up inside my head
My faith in you is not just a product of my imagination, but a deep conviction in my heart
You're God the son and you've risen from the dead
I believe that you are the son of God, who died and rose again, providing salvation for all who believe
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MELODY GREEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ken Miller
Lyrics to song
Make my life a prayer to you
I wanna do what you want me to
No empty words and no white lies
No token prayers no compromise
I wanna shine the light you gave
Through your son you sent to save us
From ourselves and our despair
It comforts me to know you're really there
Well I wanna thank you know
For being patient with me
Oh it's so hard to see
When my eyes are on me
I guess I'll have to trus
And just believe what you say
Oh you're coming again
Coming to take me away
I wanna die and let you give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope you gave me
The love that set me free
I wanna tell the world out there
You're not some fable or fairy tale
That I've made up inside my head
You're God the son and you've risen from the dead
Well I wanna thank you know
For being patient with me
Oh it's so hard to see
When my eyes are on me
I guess I'll have to trus
And just believe what you say
Oh you're coming again
Coming to take me away
I wanna die and let you give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope you gave me
The love that set me free
Principe
Make my life a prayer to you
I wanna do what you want me to
No empty words and no white lies
No token prayers no compromise
I wanna shine the light you gave
Through your son you sent to save us
From ourselves and our despair
It comforts me to know you're really there
Well I wanna thank you now
For being patient with me
Oh it's so hard to see
When my eyes are on me
I guess I'll have to trust
And just believe what you say
Oh you're coming again
Coming to take me away
I wanna die and let you give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope you gave me
The love that set me free
I wanna tell the world out there
You're not some fable or fairy tale
That I've made up inside my head
You're God the son and you've risen from the dead
Well I wanna thank you now
For being patient with me
Oh it's so hard to see
When my eyes are on me
I guess I'll have to trust
And just believe what you say
Oh you're coming again
Coming to take me away
I wanna die and let you give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope you gave me
The love that set me free
Gisele Nóbrega
Faça minha vida uma oração para você
Eu quero fazer o que tu queres que eu faça
Sem palavras vazias e sem mentiras
Nenhuma oração simbólica sem compromisso
Eu quero brilhar a luz que você deu
Através de seu filho que você enviou para nos salvar
De nós mesmos e de nosso desespero
Conforta-me saber que você está realmente lá
Bem, eu quero agradecer a você agora
Por ser paciente comigo
Ah, é tão difícil de ver
Quando meus olhos estão sobre mim
Acho que vou ter que confiar
E só acreditar no que você diz
Oh, você está vindo novamente
Vindo para me levar embora
Eu quero morrer e deixar você dá
Sua vida para mim para que eu possa viver
E partilhar a esperança que você me deu
O amor que me liberta
Eu quero dizer ao mundo lá fora
Você não é um conto de fadas ou fábula
Que eu fiz até dentro da minha cabeça
Você é Deus filho e você ressuscitou dos mortos
Bem, eu quero agradecer a você agora
Por ser paciente comigo
Ah, é tão difícil de ver
Quando meus olhos estão sobre mim
Acho que vou ter que confiar
E só acreditar no que você diz
Oh, você está vindo novamente
Vindo para me levar embora
Eu quero morrer e deixar você dá
Sua vida para mim para que eu possa viver
E partilhar a esperança que você me deu
O amor que me liberta
Deborah Kaelin-Harris
Keith Green...wow! I lost my dear friend 5 years today, and was feeling really down...went on the computer and started downloading Keith's songs! Hope is real, the word of God is real. This night turned into a night of hope... God is not a fairy tale.
kimmy Niemann Beyer
Praise GOD!!!
PlasmaStorm73 [N5EVV]
Keith Green remains at the top of my playlist. When I am feeling alone, scared, depressed, happy, loved, and more I turn to Keith's music. What an inspiration to Christians everywhere je was and is.
teri smith
Absoulty
rochester ny lawns
Hope things are better today love you.
John Destefano
Amen
Daniel's Den Digital Affiliate
When I first received Jesus I listened to this song all the time in the Navy on cassettes. Wow what good powerful memories. He changed contemporary Christian music. He was radical. He was a blessing. The music helped keep me clinging to Jesus through lots of temptations while overseas and being a sailor in general.
Israel Florencio
Glory to God
Woof Bark
A Christian mate used to stay shipside reading the word onboard when the guys went out in a Thailand... Honorable choice in consideration of his relationship with the Lord. Through thousands of temptations we press on towards the goal of heaven. Glory to Jesus!
Gary Horner
Just enjoyed Keith again while having a conversation with the Lord.
He reminded me of Keith's song and prayer. So I listened and got blessed again with a renewed heart.
Praise the Lord from Victoria Brentwood Bay BC Canada