Pray - Jay-Z

Deliver me from my enemies, O' God.

Defend me from those that rise up against me.

Deliver me from the work of iniquity.

Save me from the brethren.

Look.

Mind state of a gangster from the '40s.

Meet the business mind of Motown’s Barry Gordey.

Turned crack rock into a chain of 40/40s.

Sorry my jewellery’s so Gordie.

Slid into the party with my new pair of Mauries.

America, meet the gangster, Shawn Corey.

Hey, young world, wanna hear a story?

Close your eyes and you could pretend you’re me.

I’m cut from the cloth of the Kennedy’s.

Frank Sinatra havin' dinner with the Genovese.

This is the genesis of a nemesis

Mother America’s not witnessed since,

The Harlem Renaissance birthed black buisnesses.

This is the tale of lost innocence.

As the incense burn and the turntables turn and that Al Green plays,

I see my mother’s afro as mama taps her toes as she rose her Js.

And my poppa just left the house in search of the killer of my uncle, Ray.

And she’s tryna calm my nerves, as I observe.

This is just one day.

And what tomorrow has in store,

We can never be sure so all we can do is

…Pray.

Because of Your strength, while I walked upon Thee.

For God is my defense.

Pray for me!

As I head to my homeroom, I observe the rooms:

Dope needles on the ground.

I hear a car go vroom, drug dealer in the BM' with the top down.

As the girls start to giggle, I ask, «Why you laugh?»

They say, «You too little.

One day you’ll understand.

One day you’ll become a man, buy things you have to get you.»

Fast-forward, freeze frame: I’m a pistol.

Fist full of dollars — ignorance is so blissful.

I didn’t choose this life, this life chose me.

Around here is the shit that you just do.

I just left school.

The same BM' is pulled over by the boys dressed blue.

They have their guns drawn screamin',

«Just move unless there’s something else you suggest we can do.»

He made his way to the trunk, opened it like,

«Huh…» A treasure chest was removed.

Cop said he’ll be back next month.

What we called ‘corrupt,' he called ‘paying dues.'

Now when the rules is blurred, as they is you were,

What am I to do but Pray?

Pray the Lord forgive me.

Pray God’s been by what I’m about to go through.

…Pray.

Deliver me in Thy righteousness and cause me to escape.

And climb Thyn heir unto me.

Save me, O' Lord.

Pray for me!

Cheea.

Anywhere there’s o-ppression in the drug profession, flourishes like breverages.

Refreshin'; ahhh, sweet taste of sin.

Everything I seen made me everything I am.

Bad drug dealer or victim, my bag?

What came first — movin' chickens or the egg?

This is why I be so fresh.

I’m tryna beat life 'cause I can’t cheat death.

‘Preciate the shamelessness and stainlesses that aim this is.

You know the game this is.

Move coke like Pepsi, don’t matter what the brand name is.

…I stand behind mine.

Everything I do I’m a man behind mine.

I’m not an angel I’m sure, but every night before I lay,

I drop my knees to the floor and I Pray.

The name shall endure forever.

The name shall be continued as long as the Son.

Pray for me!

Men shall be blessed in Him.

All nations shall call Him blessed.

In Your name I Pray.

Pray for me!

Lord bless Him.