Grandma use to pray out loud
By her bed every night
To me it sounded like mumbling
Like she was out of mind
She said, “Boy this kind of praying
Is what saved my life
You oughta try it some time”
And now I know she was right
She was talking to Jesus
She was talking to Jesus
She’d been talking to Jesus
For all of her life
Mama used to drag me to church
Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights
Khaki pants and a polo shirt
Y’all know I put up a fight
She said, “Son, one day you’ll thank me
For having God in your life”
Yeah, I know she was right
Yeah, my mama was right
‘Cause now I’m talking to Jesus
She got me talking to Jesus
She got me talking to Jesus
Yeah, my mama was right (Come on, y’all)
‘Cause now I’m talking to Jesus
Yeah, I love talking to Jesus
And I’ll be talking to Jesus
For the rest of my life
What a friend we have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus
Oh
I’ve got three of my own now
Tryna raise them up right
My oldest is fifteen
I remember what that was like
Trying to deal with the drama
Trying to figure out the questions in life
And I’ve been looking for a way to show him
How to make it alright, yeah
Then he walked in my room
While I was saying my prayers the other night
He said, “I’ll come back later
I can tell you’ve got a lot on your mind”
I said, “It’s not an interruption, oh no
You couldn’t have picked a better time”
‘Cause I was just talking to Jesus
Come over and give it a try
We started talking to Jesus
We started talking to Jesus
We started talking to Jesus
Oh, yeah
And now he’s talking to Jesus
Thank God he’s talking to Jesus
I hope he’s talking to Jesus
For the rest of his life, yeah (Come on)
What a friend we have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus
Oh…
What a friend we have
What a friend we have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus
Oh…
There’s no wrong way to do it
Not a bad place to start
It don’t have to sound pretty
Just tell him what’s on your heart
‘Cause it’s not a religion, oh no
It’s more like a friendship
So just talk to your Father
Like you are his kid
Just start talking to Jesus
Just start talking to Jesus
You can talk to Jesus
Whenever you like
Just start talking to Jesus
Just start talking to Jesus
Just keep talking to Jesus
For the rest of your life
And now we’re sitting at the Ryman
An ordinary Sunday night
These past few weeks have been heavy
Been hard to put on this smile
And I know that life feels crazy
The darker the day, the brighter the light
So just keep talking to Jesus
The only way to end the fight
What a friend we have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus
Oh (What a friend we have)
What a friend we have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus
Oh
One more time, just the voices this time
What a friend we have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus
Oh
Hey, can you help me please thank, Mr. Thomas Rhett?
Generational Faith and Honest Prayer
“Talking To Jesus (Live From The Ryman)” by Brandon Lake offers a heartfelt look at faith passed down through generations. The song opens with vivid memories of a grandmother’s prayers, which once sounded like incomprehensible mumbling but later reveal themselves as lifelines of hope. As Lake recounts his mother’s insistence on attending church, he captures the often-reluctant journey many take toward faith before realizing its significance. This narrative arc continues as he becomes a parent himself, striving to model authentic spirituality for his children. The lyrics emphasize that praying isn’t about perfection or ritual, but about honest, ongoing conversation—a friendship with Jesus that transcends tradition.
Building a Legacy of Conversation
The song’s message is clear: there’s no wrong way to reach out to Jesus, and the act of talking to Him can be transformative, healing, and deeply personal. Lake’s live performance at the historic Ryman Auditorium adds to the emotional weight, making the communal aspect of faith tangible. The refrain, “What a friend we have in Jesus,” resounds as both comfort and invitation, encouraging listeners to find solace and strength in simple, sincere prayer—no matter where life finds them.
Song Credits
- Artist: Brandon Lake
- Songwriters: Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Thomas Rhett
- Release Year: 2021
- Label: Bethel Music