Manafest – Pray

Canadian rapper Manafest started in 2000.  He released eleven albums and three EPS, including:

• Misled Youth (EP, 2001)
• My Own Thing (2003)
• Epiphany (2005)
• Glory (2006)
• Citizens Activ (2008)
• The Chase (2010)
• Avalanche – No Plan B (EP, 2010)
• Live in Concert (2011)
• Fighter (2012)
• Manafest Presents Stories Since Seventy Nine (EP, 2012)
• The Moment (2014)
• Reborn (2015)
• Stones (2017)
• This Is Not the End (2019)

He won nine GMA Canada Covenant Awards for categories including Modern Rock/Alternative Song of the Year, Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year, and Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year.

Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Manafest-pray-lyrics.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

Manafest and his dad disagreed, leading to dad asking Manafest, “How can you like fake it and not get all jaded?”  Dad cries over his son’s behavior, admitting that he used violence in the past to solve his problems.  Today, he prays in God’s name, patiently waiting for God to respond.

Seven months later, dad calls Manafest.  The song’s focus shifts from dad’s perspective to Manafest’s, hearing the words of dad through Manafest’s lips.  Dad is proud that Manafest changed, shown through Manafest’s stable job, finding a girl, and regularly attending church services.  Though not explicitly stated, it is heavily implied that Manafest found salvation in God!  Dad cries tears of joy.

This song contains a minor error that states “No one’s ever too far gone, they can change”.  This is correct so long as the individual is living.  Once they die, it will be too late to find God.

Score: 9/10

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

Almost all of it is Biblical, except for a minor error in Verse 2, line 8.  Aside from a physical resurrection, salvation cannot be attained after physical death.

[Verse 1]

Lines 1 and 2: “You”, later to be revealed as Manafest’s dad, confronts Manafest about his behavior.

Line 3-8: Manafest’s dad is upset and wants to be there for him, but he is unable to find the words to address it, wishing to calm down and for God to act.  Perhaps I’m reading too much into these lyrics, but line 6 might signal that mom and dad divorced, which may have contributed to Manafest’s behavior.

[Pre-Chorus]

Lines 1-4: Manafest’s father formerly addressed his problems through violence, but how he prays, casting his anxiety onto God (Psalm 37:5, Psalm 55:22, Matthew 11:28-30, Philippians 4:6, and 1 Peter 5:7) because the battle belongs to the Lord (1 Samuel 17:47).

[Chorus]

Lines 1-11: “I” prays without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

[Verse 2]

Lines 1 and 2: The context is Manafest’s father.  Anxiety prevents him from sleeping; his thoughts stirring about his son leads to prostration in prayer.

Line 3: Most likely, the pages of Scripture, studying its pages for an answer (2 Timothy 2:15).

Line 4: Manafest’s dad requests aid with the understanding that God is faithful to him (Numbers 23:19, Deuteronomy 7:9, Psalm 33:4, Psalm 91:4, Psalms 119:90, Lamentations 3:22-23, 1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, 2 Timothy 2:13, Hebrews 10:23, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 John 1:9).

Lines 5 and 6: Manafest’s dad wants his son to seek God for spiritual healing and attain salvation from eternal damnation (Deuteronomy 4:29, 1 Kings 22:5, 2 Chronicles 30:18-20, Psalm 14:2, Psalm 63:1, Psalm 78:34, Proverbs 8:17, Jeremiah 29:13, Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 7:7, Luke 11:9, Acts 17:27-28, and Hebrews 11:6).

Line 7: That is, the name of Jesus.  By the will of the Father, Manafest’s dad trusts that Jesus will respond (Matthew 7:7, Matthew 21:22, Mark 11:24, John 14:13-14, John 15:7, and John 16:23).

Line 8: Almost correct.  This is true up to the point of death.  Then, we will be judged by God (Hebrews 9:27).

[Verse 3]

Lines 1-8: Seven months after the incident in Verse 1, Manafest received a call from his dad and conversed with him.  Manafest’s dad found out from someone else that Manafest is changing for the better, finding a stable job, a girlfriend, and started attending church services, heavily implying that Manafest found salvation.  Manafest’s dad is in tears, thankful to God that He hears prayers (1 John 5:15) and that Manafest’s future is different.

Score: 9/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers may find it difficult to comprehend who is speaking, requiring multiple reads to study the lyrics as I;  However, the subject is not important for unbelievers to easily reach Manafest’s overall conclusion: violence is not the solution, prayer is, and it makes a difference.  Even if it takes seven months.  After all, Manafest chose to use everyday language that unbelievers can understand.

Is it possible to interpret “God” as someone other than the Christian God?  Only if such a deity offers salvation through grace, has angels, is always faithful, and can be found.  Though I admit that my research into alternative gods is limited, I am not aware of another that fits this description that the average unbeliever would conclude.

Score: 9/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God in that prayer, not firefighting, is how bad behavior should be addressed, only slightly hidden by a minor error described in sections 1 and 2.

Score: 9/10

Closing Comments

Manafest’s Pray is great.  His dad turns to prayer to address his poor behavior, watching him grow in Christ through behavior changes, bringing God glory.  Its only flaws are that the subject might be confusing and that change could occur post-death; However, all will comprehend Manafest’s overall message about the power of prayer.

Though inspirational, I cannot recommend this song for corporate worship.

Final Score: 9/10

Artist Info

Track: Pray (listen to the song)

Artist: Manafest

Album: Reborn

Genre: Hip Hop/Rap

Release Year: 2015

Duration: 3:48

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Updates:

03/25/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement.