Draft:Prayer (Kendrick Lamar song)

"Prayer"
Song by Kendrick Lamar
ReleasedAugust 18, 2020 (leak)
Length5:22

"Prayer" (originally known as "Pray") is an unreleased song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. Originally recorded sometime in 2018, the song was conceived during sessions for Lamar's fifth studio album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. The song, which features production from The Alchemist, was leaked online in August 2020 alongside demos for "Rich Spirit" and "Mother I Sober", other tracks featured on Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. According to leakers, Prayer was intended to be titled "Pray" and/or "Mr. Morale", before the title was given to the released Pharrell Williams-produced version.

On Prayer, Lamar reflects on "the voices of art" and how an artist's personal shortcomings lead to dismissal of an artist's contributions, specifically delving into how Michael Jackson's accusations of pedophilia and Martin Luther King Jr.'s marital infidelity have affected the personifications of The Jackson 5's single ABC and King's I Have a Dream speech, establishing that artists bring meaning to the world regardless of their individual imperfections.

Since its leak, fans have revered "Prayer" as a standout track in Lamar's discography and hope for its eventual release as a single or on an upcoming album from Lamar, despite having leaked.