Broken Prayers
Riley Clemmons Lyrics

I've been taught how to talk to you
I was taught to put up a façade and say all the right things in order to come across as okay and get closer to you.

Hold it together, make the bad look better
I was taught to fake the appearance of being good even when I'm feeling bad, so that I can appear more acceptable to you.

Say all the words that I'm supposed to
I was taught to say all the right and expected things, even if they're not true at all to me.

Bow my head, say, 'amen'
I was taught to be obedient and submissive, hoping to please you and do what is expected of me.

Yeah, that'll do
I was taught that this superficial and mechanical approach to communicating with you is enough.

Making every dead end look like heaven
I was taught to pretend that everything is perfect when in reality I'm lost and struggling to find the right way.

Like being okay is the way to reach you
I was taught that pretending to be fine and hiding my true self is the only way to get closer to you.

But you're not afraid of all the things I feel
Your unconditional love for me has taught me that I don't need to be afraid of my own feelings and emotions.

So why am I afraid of being real?
Despite knowing that you accept me as I am, I still struggle to be my true self and express my deep and painful vulnerabilities to you.

You want my tears, every messy word
You desire a genuine and authentic relationship with me, one where I can share with you my deepest tears and flawed words.

Every scar and every fear
You fully embrace my past hurts and future worries, and see them as a vital and beautiful part of who I am today.

You want all I have
You're not interested in just the good parts of me, but rather every piece of me whether good or bad.

With no holding back
You encourage me to pour out my heart to you without fear of rejection or judgment.

When I'm hurt, at my worst
You don't shy away from me when I'm in my most vulnerable state, but instead come close to offer comfort and healing.

'Cause you see the beauty
You have a special perspective that allows you to see beyond the brokenness and pain in me, and find the unique beauty and worth that lies within.

In my broken prayers
Even when my prayers are indescribable or incomplete, you still value them and want me to come to you just as I am.

You don't care if it ain't poetry
You don't require me to come up with perfect words or put on a poetic front in order to connect with you.

'Cause all of my edges
Even the rough, unpolished, and unrefined parts of me belong in your presence.

They're a little rough
I don't have to be perfect in order for you to love me and listen to me. It's okay if I'm a little rough around the edges.

But that's all I got to bring
Despite my imperfections and scars, I know that I can always come to you with everything I have and be fully embraced and loved in return.

Mascara running down my face
I don't have to hide my tears or feel ashamed of expressing my raw emotions in front of you.

Desperate cry in a dark place
Even when the world feels dark and hopeless, I know that I can turn to you and find hope and comfort in your presence.

You take me that way
You accept and love me despite my flaws, tears, and darkest moments.

All of me
You want all of me, not just the good or likable parts, but every aspect of who I am - past, present, and future.

My broken prayers
Even in my moments of confusion, pain, or silence, I know that you are still there, listening and loving me unconditionally.