Pray

• Editions

Pray
Released	December 3, 2010
Album	My Worlds Acoustic Under the Mistletoe (deluxe)
Recorded	October 7, 2010; at Avex Recording Studios, Honolulu, HI NH Studios , North Hollywood, CA Westlake Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA
Genre	R&B / Gospel / CCM
Length	3:32
Written by	Nasri Atweh / Adam Messinger / Omar Martinez / Justin Bieber
Produced by	The Messengers
Label
Additional information
Engineer(s)	Gaylord Holomalia (assistant) / Christian Mochizuki (assistant) / Tallon Patrocinio (assistant) / Tucker Robinson (assistant)
Mixed by	Jaycen Joshua / Jesus Garnica (assistant)
Background vocals	Nasri / Deanna DellaCioppa
Instruments	Adam Messinger
Release Order
← Previous	“U Smile”
Next →	“That Should Be Me (Remix)”

“Pray” is a song written and performed by Justin Bieber. This song is on My Worlds Acoustic and on the deluxe version of Under the Mistletoe. The song was released dually with "Never Say Never (Acoustic Version)" as a double A-side single.

Background

There are a lot of songs about love and I think it's great to get out of this world for a minute. There are other things that are important and I just wanted to be a source of hope. It's a strong song, it's from the heart. I think everyone, young or old can relate to this song.- JB

While Bieber was being interviewed by Ryan Seacrest on his radio show, Bieber talked about the song's initial writing stating the song was influenced by Michael Jackson, Bieber elaborated, "It's a very uplifting song, very motivational. It definitely comes from the heart. It's very beautiful. I definitely thought of Michael [Jackson's] 'Man in the Mirror' when I was writing it."

Composition and lyrical interpretation

The song is a contemporary Christian song, using a world music backdrop. It primarily features acoustic instruments, but it does make minor usage of electronic sounds. According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Universal Music Group, "Pray" is set in common time with a tempo of 80 beats per minute. It is composed in the key of B major with Bieber's vocal range spanning from the low-note of F♯₃ to the high-note of B₄. The song follows in the chord progression of B/G♯–B/F♯–E–B.

Present throughout the song's background is the use of violins and a choir, as well as guitar, string instruments, congas and a cajon. However it does make subtle use of synths and electronic sounds. Musically and lyrically, it is influenced by Contemporary Christian music, and has a gospel feel. The song opens with Bieber singing, "And I pray" over a keyboard, while the song's chorus repeats one simple refrain, "I close my eyes and I can see a better day/ I close my eyes and pray." In the lyrics, Bieber "recognizes the pain and suffering in the world" and then offers "a passive solution" through lines such as "Children are crying / soldiers are dying / Some people don't have a home," before compromising, "I know there's sunshine behind that rain / good times beyond that pain." Vocally, Bieber's vocals are sung in a lower key compared to previous singles.

Release

The song premiered during On Air with Ryan Seacrest on November 17, 2010 when Justin Bieber called in for an interview.

The song was released as a CD single in Germany on December 3, 2010.

Music video

Pray
Recorded	2010
Released	November 26, 2010
Director	Alfredo Flores / Scooter Braun
Length	3:32
Producer	Roy LaManna

The song's music video premiered on YouTube but was quickly blocked. It was reuploaded on Facebook on November 26, 2010. In the video, Bieber highlights several social injustices around the world. Clips are shown from footage of earthquake-torn Haiti, a suffering post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans and Bieber himself visiting sick children in hospital beds. More scenes feature military soldiers being reunited with their families, and homes being possessed because families cannot pay mortgage. The video is intercut with scenes of Bieber performing. Like the song itself, the video also includes religious undertones, including the video ending with the quote, "God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer."

Performances

• My Worlds
• Under the Mistletoe
• Tours

Date	Event	City	Notes
November 21, 2010	American Music Awards	Los Angeles
November 30, 2010	Showcase NRJ & Universal Mobile	Paris	A cappella
December 8, 2010	Susquehanna Bank Center	Camden
December 10, 2010	Madison Square Garden	New York City
December 11, 2010	B96 Jingle Bash	Chicago
March 19, 2011	Wetten, dass..?	Augsburg

Date	Event	City	Notes
November 13, 2011	This is Justin Bieber - ITV Special	London
December 21, 2011	Home for the Holidays	Toronto	Acoustic

Tour	Date	Performances
My World Tour	November 17, 2010 / November 22, 2010 / November 23, 2010 / December 9, 2010 / December 13, 2010 / December 15, 2010 / March 11, 2011 / March 12, 2011 / March 24, 2011 / March 27, 2011 / March 30, 2011 / Asia leg except Chek Lap Kok, Taipei & Osaka	15

Lyrics

[Intro]
Oh oh, oh whoa
Oh oh, oh whoa
Oh oh, oh whoa
And I pray

[Verse 1]
I just can’t sleep tonight
Knowing that things ain’t right
It’s in the papers, it’s on the TV
It’s everywhere that I go
Children are crying, soldiers are dying
Some people don’t have a home

[Pre-Chorus]
But I know there’s sunshine behind that rain
I know there’s good times beyond that pain
Hey, can you tell me
How I can make a change?

[Chorus]
I close my eyes and I can see a better day
I close my eyes and pray
I close my eyes and I can see a better day
I close my eyes and pray

[Verse 2]
I lose my appetite (Can’t eat, can’t eat), knowing kids starve tonight
Am I a sinner ‘cause some of my dinner
Is still there on my plate?
Ooh I got a vision to make a difference
And it’s starting today

[Pre-Chorus]
‘Cause I know there’s sunshine behind that rain
I know there’s good times beyond that pain
Heaven, tell me
How I can make a change?

[Chorus]
I close my eyes and I can see a better day
I close my eyes and pray (And I pray)
I close my eyes and I can see a better day
I close my eyes and

[Bridge]
I pray for the broken hearted
I pray for the life not started
I pray for all the lungs not breathing
I pray for all the souls that need a breath
Can you give ‘em one today?
I just can’t sleep tonight
Can someone tell me
How to make a change?

[Chorus]
I close my eyes and I can see a better day
I close my eyes and pray (And I pray), oh
I close my eyes and I can see a better day
I close my eyes and I pray, oh

[Outro]
I pray, (And I pray)
I pray
I close my eyes and pray

Charts

Billboard Hot 100

"Pray" debuted at #91 on the Billboard Hot 100, and spent 4 weeks on chart.

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Credits

Credits adapted from Tidal.

• Producer: The Messengers
• Composer: Adam Messinger / Justin Bieber / Nasri Atweh / O. Martinez
• Lyricst: Adam Messinger / Justin Bieber / Nasri Atweh / O. Martinez
• Assistant Mixer: Jesus Garnica
• Associated Performer: Deanna DellaCioppa / Nasri / The Messengers
• Asst. Recording Engineer: Christian Mochizuki / Gaylord Holomalia / Tallon Patrocinio / Tucker Robinson
• Background Vocalist: Deanna DellaCioppa / Nasri
• Mixer: Jaycen Joshua
• Studio Personnel: Chrstiain Mochizuki / Gaylord Holomalia / Jaycen Joshua / Jesus Garnica / Tallon Patrocinio / Tucket Robinson
• Vocal Arranger: The Messengers