Prayer Changes
R. Kelly Lyrics

Somebody just look back over your life and
Reflect on your past experiences and

See where he brought you from
Acknowledge the progress and growth you have achieved

How many of you know?
Can you relate to this?

Prayer changes (I heard that)
The act of praying has the power to bring about transformation

Prayer changes (I believe that)
I have faith in the ability of prayer to create change

Prayer changes (I know that)
I am certain that prayer has the ability to bring about positive outcomes

Prayer changes things
Prayer has the capability to alter circumstances and situations

Now I was in a real bad abusive relationship
I was trapped in a harmful and violent partnership

Knowing that, that was no way for me to live
Aware that my living conditions were unacceptable

A young girl like me, raised up in a good family
As a young woman from a loving and supportive family background

Way too young to endure such misery
Far too young to bear such suffering

And every night I cry myself to sleep from all the pain
Each night, I weep myself to sleep due to the intense anguish

And the more I prayed for sunny days it seemed to rain
Despite my prayers for improvement, things only got worse

(He hit me) at any given time
(He would strike me) unpredictably

(He hit me) no reason at all
(He would hit me) without any justification

(He hit me) so so hard
(He would hit me) with tremendous force

(He hit me) my God, sometimes I'd fall
(He would hit me) and I would occasionally stumble or collapse

Mama asked what happened to me
My mother inquired about my injuries

And I'd take up for him
And I would defend him

She said that devil's a liar
She warned that the devil deceives

And pray get rid of him
And encouraged me to pray for his removal

And now I'm going to school, hitting those books
And now I'm focused on my education, studying diligently

I'm doing fine
I am doing well

He's out my life, I'm not confused
He is no longer a part of my life, and I have clarity

Got peace of mind, man I tell you
I have attained inner peace, I assure you

I was a freshman in college and uh
During my first year of college

I had just made it on the basketball team
I had recently earned a spot on the basketball team

I had all the skills it took to make it
I possessed all the necessary abilities to succeed

But on my grades I would get nothing but all D's
However, my academic performance only resulted in low grades

And the coach came to me and had a talk with me about my career
The coach approached me to discuss my future in basketball

Said if you don't get your grades up
Expressed that unless I improved my grades

I'm gonna have to sit you down this year
I would not be able to play during this season

Man as tough as I was I brake down and cry 'cause
Despite my toughness, I broke down and cried because

Everybody knows me, knows that basketball is my life
Those who are familiar with me understand that basketball is my entire existence

(Algebra) I studied hard
I dedicated significant effort to studying algebra

(Chemistry) I gave my all
I exerted my utmost effort in the subject of chemistry

(Calculus) oh my God
Oh dear God, the subject of calculus

(English) so many flaws
(In English class) I made numerous mistakes

Playing ball didn't look to good for me
My prospects in basketball seemed bleak

My future, could not see
I couldn't envision my future

I had lost all my beliefs
I had completely lost faith

And gave up on all my dreams
And abandoned all my aspirations

Then I went to church on Sunday
Subsequently, I attended Sunday church service

And the pastor began to preach
The pastor commenced delivering a sermon

It was like he was talking to me
It felt as though his message was directed at me

When he said I can do all things
When he proclaimed that I am capable of accomplishing anything

In Christ that strengthens me
Through the strength given by Jesus Christ

And for me that was enough
And that was sufficient for me

Now that I went from a D all the way to an A plus
Now, I have moved from receiving a D grade to achieving an A plus

I tell you prayer changes things
I assure you, prayer has the power to bring about transformation

Me and my wife had a few problems
My wife and I encountered several issues

We thought that nothing could solve them
We believed that there was no solution

Listening to family members and so called friends
Under the influence of family members and alleged friends

Man I tell you that's just how the devil creeps in (oh yes it is)
Indeed, that is how the devil subtly infiltrates our lives

We were separated at least for a month or two
We were apart for a minimum of one or two months

She was wilding in the clubs
She was behaving recklessly in nightclubs

And I was out there doing wrong too
And I was also engaged in inappropriate behavior

And we would walk around the house
And we would move around the house

Putting each other down
Verbally demeaning one another

I mean right in front of the kids
Even in the presence of our children

We would curse each other out
We would use profanity towards each other

Then I was in a bad accident
Next, I was involved in a serious accident

And almost lost my life
And nearly lost my life

And guess who was there for me
And guess who provided support during that time

My wife
My spouse

Now ain't it funny how He makes a way
Isn't it remarkable how God creates opportunities

When we said there was no way
Even when we believed there was no possible solution

I'm out the hospital and back at home
I have been discharged from the hospital and returned home

Planning another wedding day, I tell you
Planning to celebrate our marriage once again, I assure you

Now all of these things were happening in one family
All these events occurred within a single family

But that's okay, 'cause there's nothing God can't achieve
However, that is alright because there is nothing beyond God's capabilities

I don't care what the problem in your life may be
I don't care what issues you may face in your life

'Cause who the Son sets free, is free indeed
For the Son of God liberates us completely

And if you didn't know, now you should know
In case you were unaware, now you should be aware

All you gotta do is take this family's life for example
Just examine the life of this particular family

Now Mom and Dad are married again
Currently, Mom and Dad have reconciled their marriage

Four kids now, 'cause they just had twins
They now have four children, as they recently had twins

Little sister all grown up now
The younger sister has reached adulthood

She's a lawyer, married with one child now
She is now a lawyer, married, and has one child

Two years, big brother's out of college
After two years, the older brother has completed his college education

And man he's got his hands full (hallelujah)
And he has a lot on his plate (hallelujah)

Blessed with skills, blessed with knowledge
Endowed with abilities and knowledge

Now he's playing for the Chicago Bulls
Now he is a member of the Chicago Bulls basketball team

Prayer changes (I'm a witness yeah)
Prayer has the power to initiate transformation, I can testify to that

Prayer changes (prayer changes)
Prayer has the ability to bring about change

Prayer changes (prayer changes)
Prayer has the ability to bring about change

Prayer changes things (woah when it looks like)
Prayer has the capacity to alter circumstances, even in dire situations

Prayer changes (you can't go on)
Prayer has the power to bring about change when you feel helpless

Prayer changes (I know that prayer)
I am aware that prayer has the capability

Prayer changes (changes things)
Prayer has the ability to alter and improve situations

Prayer changes things
Prayer has the power to bring about transformation

Prayer changes (in the middle of the storm)
Prayer has the ability to bring change even in challenging times

Prayer changes (prayer will calm)
Prayer has the potential to bring peace and tranquility

Prayer changes (cause it changes things)
Prayer has a transformative effect on circumstances

Prayer changes things (yeah)
Prayer has the power to bring about change

Prayer changes (even if you're doing wrong)
Prayer has the capability to bring change even when engaging in wrongdoing

Prayer changes (even if your money's gone)
Prayer is capable of bringing about change even when facing financial difficulties

Prayer changes (if you're put out your home)
Prayer has the potential to bring change even when experiencing homelessness

Prayer changes things (yeah come on)
Prayer has the ability to bring about change, so let's embrace it

Prayer changes (if you can't find a friend)
Prayer has the power to bring change even when lacking companionship

Prayer changes (at your journey's end)
Prayer has the potential to bring change even when feeling lost

Prayer changes (feel you just can't win)
Prayer has the ability to bring change even when experiencing defeat

Prayer changes things (woah woah)
Prayer has the power to bring about transformative effects

Prayer changes (you're really going through)
Prayer has the ability to bring change even during challenging experiences

Prayer changes (and trouble's chasing you)
Prayer has the potential to bring change even when faced with continuous troubles

Prayer changes (Heaven's got a hold on you)
Prayer has the capability to bring change when you are under the influence of Heaven

Prayer changes things (yeah)
Prayer has the ability to bring about transformative effects

Prayer changes (when it seems you can't go on)
Prayer has the power to bring about change when it feels impossible to continue

Prayer changes (and all your strength is gone)
Prayer has the potential to bring change even when you have lost all your strength

Prayer changes (hold on it won't be long)
Prayer has the ability to bring about change, so hold on as it will be a short wait

Prayer changes things (I know prayer is gonna change)
I am certain that prayer has the power to bring about transformative effects

Prayer changes (drinking or doing drugs)
Prayer has the capability to bring change even when struggling with substance abuse

Prayer changes (even if you're running the streets)
Prayer is capable of bringing about change even when engaged in street activities

Prayer changes (even in the music field)
Prayer can bring about change even in the realm of music

Prayer changes things (rock, pop or R&B)
Prayer can bring transformative effects regardless of the genre of music

Prayer changes (prayer will change)
Prayer has the ability to bring about change

Prayer changes (prayer will change)
Prayer has the ability to bring about change

Prayer changes (prayer will change)
Prayer has the ability to bring about change

Prayer changes things
Prayer has the power to bring about transformative effects

Prayer changes
Prayer has the ability to bring about change

Prayer changes
Prayer has the ability to bring about change

Prayer changes
Prayer has the ability to bring about change

Prayer changes things
Prayer has the power to bring about transformative effects