When I Pray For You – English Lyrics

• By: Dan + Shay
• Album: The Shack: Music From And Inspired By The Original Motion Picture

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the touching narrative behind Dan + Shay's "When I Pray For You," a poignant song about a father's hopes and prayers for his unborn child. Explore the themes of faith, love, and family as you learn heartwarming lyrics and the story of its creation, offering a glimpse into the beautiful emotions surrounding impending parenthood. Understand the language of love and devotion through this special song.

[English]

I talk to God about you

And I ain't even met you yet

Everybody's waitin' on you here

I can't wait to feel your heart beat

When I lay you on my chest

I'm already holding back my tears

I wanna be the dad that my dad was

I hope that I don't mess this whole thing up

I pray you love like your momma

And you forgive just like she does

'Cause when this life knocks you down

I hope you get down on your knees

'Cause that's what I do, that's what I do

When I pray for you

Oh, when I pray for you

I know you're gonna grow up some day

But don't forget to take your time

And take the time to call back home

It ain't always gonna be easy

It ain't always gonna be fair

I know you ain't always gonna need me

But I promise that I'll always be there

I pray you love like your momma

And you forgive just like she does

'Cause when this life knocks you down

I hope you get down on your knees

'Cause that's what I do, that's what I do

When I pray for you

Oh, when I pray for you

I talk to God about you

When everything around me breaks

I look up and hear him say

Love like your momma

And forgive just like she does

And when this life knocks you down

I hope you get down on your knees

'Cause that's what I do, that's what I do

When I pray for you

When I pray for you

When I pray for you

...

Key Grammar Structures

• I talk to God about you

  ➔ Present Simple - habitual action/general truth

  ➔ The verb "talk" is in the present simple, indicating a regular action. The sentence expresses a consistent habit of praying for the unborn child.

• I'm already holding back my tears

  ➔ Present Continuous with 'already' - action in progress with a completed element

  ➔ "Holding back" is the present continuous, showing an action happening *now*. "Already" emphasizes that this emotional response is happening even before the child is born.

• I wanna be the dad that my dad was

  ➔ Subjunctive mood ('wanna') & Relative Clause ('that my dad was')

  ➔ "Wanna" is a colloquial contraction of "want to" and expresses a desire. The relative clause "that my dad was" defines the type of father the speaker aspires to be.

• I hope that I don't mess this whole thing up

  ➔ Modal Verb ('hope') + Negative Infinitive ('don't mess')

  ➔ "Hope" expresses a wish. The negative infinitive "don't mess" indicates a fear of failure. "This whole thing" refers to the responsibility of fatherhood.

• I pray you love like your momma

  ➔ Comparative Likeness ('like') - comparing the child's future love to the mother's love.

  ➔ The word "like" is used to draw a comparison. The speaker hopes the child will emulate the mother's capacity for love.