Kings Kaleidoscope – A Prayer

Mixed genre ten-piece band Kings Kaleidoscope entered into controversy when they released A Prayer in 2016 due to their usage of curse words.  Perhaps that’s why it was requested?  It’s not excessive (per my submission process), but it exists and is worth addressing.  I reviewed their song Safe Retreat in 2018.

NOTE: The lyrics, linked at https://genius.com/Kings-kaleidoscope-a-prayer-lyrics, contains two instances of foul language.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

As the title suggests, this song is Kaleidoscope’s prayer offered before God, where they ought to be completely honest to Him about their life.  At least, that is what I learned from studying the Psalms.  They describe their internal turmoil of despair, experiencing not the sweet closeness of God, but separation.  They wonder if this state will cause them to walk away, never to return.  The darkness that is within them causes them to curse at God, emptying themselves, laying themselves bare before Him.  The language used to describe their state of mind is pointed and poetic.

I don’t have an issue with the cursing given that God is the intended recipient.  I understand that many are uncomfortable with it and Kings Kaleidoscope provide a clean version for those who take offense; However, shall we refrain from pouring ourselves out to Him using only “safe” words?  We don’t come to Christ clean, but raw, dirty, broken.  I don’t condone the use of explicit language, but I appreciate the raw, honest nature of it.  Just make sure that when we come to God as we are, that we don’t leave unchanged!  That includes our language.

One of the most dangerous things that a Christian artist could write about is speaking for Jesus.  Old Testament prophets were put to death when they misspoke for God (Deuteronomy 18:20), adding a sense of seriousness to it.  Having said that, the Jesus presented in the Chorus, are Biblically accurate (see section 2) and are consistent with how Jesus treated people who were not the religious leaders who ought to know better.

Score: 8/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

Despite the two f-bombs, I find all the lyrics to be completely in line with Scripture and the honesty that the Psalms teach when we go before God.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1-4: Kaleidoscope contemplates falling away from Jesus, asking themselves if they will walk away before they die.  This is an example of spiritual warfare (Matthew 4:1-11, Romans 7:21-25, Ephesians 6:12-17, and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5).  Should Kaleidoscope decide to fall, they inquire about Christ’s Holy Spirit, if He will be taken away for erring.  This will be answered later in the song.

Lines 5 and 6: Apart from God, yes, Kaleidoscope will waste away, into eternal separation from God (Matthew 5:30, Matthew 25:31-46, Mark 9:43-48, John 3:16-21, Romans 6:23, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:14-15, and Revelation 21:8).

Though line 6 is honest prayer before God, their f-bomb is contrary to Psalm 141:3, Proverbs 4:24, Proverbs 6:12, Proverbs 21:23, Ephesians 4:29, Ephesians 5:4, Colossians 3:8, 2 Timothy 2:16, and James 3:10. Yet, the Psalms are also full of honest prayers that are contrary to God’s Word. For example, inciting violence in Psalm 137:8-9, against an evil people, going as far as citing individuals who dash the Babylonian children against rocks as “blessed”. Is this Godly behavior? No, it’s not. But, it’s an honest outpouring of one’s own internal feelings. Unlike NF’s Let You Down, where the honest statements are lobbed against other people, Kaleidoscope offers this to God. I don’t get the sense from Kaleidoscope that they endorse the language, especially given that they offer an alternative, clean version.

Lines 7 and 8: See commentary in lines 1-4.  This is not a reference to Daniel and the lion’s den.

Line 9: Repeats line 1.

[Verse 2]

Lines 1-4: While the first verse is internal struggle, Kaleidoscope slightly altered the language from Verse 1, lines 1-4 to an “if/then” approach without altering its meaning.

Lines 5-8: Kaleidoscope is experiencing separation from God rather than contemplating it in these lines’ counterpart in Verse 1.

Line 9: Repeats line 1.

[Verse 3]

Lines 1 and 2: Kaleidoscope cries out to Jesus, wondering where Jesus is, much like Jesus’ cry out to the Father when He quoted from Psalm 22:1 in Matthew 27:46.

Lines 3-9: Repeats lines 1 and 2.

[Chorus]

Lines 1-11: This is Kaleidoscope’s version of Jesus’ response to their struggle, presenting the kindness of our Lord.  He died for our sins because He loves us (Romans 5:6-8),  knows what it’s like to be human (Hebrews 4:15), and was scared to go through with it (Matthew 26:38).

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Those who are not yet Christ followers will appreciate the raw emotion, connecting with what may be a struggle for them to follow Jesus, given their past.  In this, the explicit language is an asset. Kings Kaleidoscope uses everyday language explicitly uses the word “Jesus”, making it easy to conclude this song is about ernest prayer to Jesus and an example of how He might respond.

Score: 10/10

4. What does this song glorify?

The honesty that is before Him glorifies Him, even if its language is questionable.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

Kings Kaleidoscope’s A Prayer is an appreciative look at internal struggle, with all its raw emotion laid bare before God.  While I don’t condone their explicit language, God will accept honesty before Him.

This is not worship music, so I cannot recommend it for that purpose.  Listen at your own discretion.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: A Prayer (listen to the song [explicit]) (listen to the song [clean])

Artist: Kings Kaleidoscope – A Prayer

Album: Beyond Control

Genre: Pop

Release Year: 2016

Duration: 4:44

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.

Updates:

09/21/2021 – I updated this review to remove criticisms of a mushy Jesus that does not reflect my current thinking.  Thanks to Andy Clipperton for questioning my review!  I updated its score from 8/10 to 9.5/10.