“Praying and Believing” – Erica Campbell

“Praying and Believing”
Erica Campbell
My Block Records (release date: August 25, 2019)

By Bob Marovich

On this quintessential “coming to Jesus” song, Mary Mary’s Erica Campbell recognizes that the problems and complications she’s experiencing (first verse) and society is facing (second verse) are ours to accept but not to fix.

Rather than blaming God for all the troubles, Erica prays to God for healing and strength—for herself and everyone, including “the mother praying for her child to come home.” The arrangement, featuring dramatic percussion and an imploring choir, gives Erica plenty of room to improvise. By the end, she is in full evangelist’s mode, fervently shouting and scattering blue notes around the sanctuary.

The cover image of President Trump with duct tape over his mouth is priceless! It’s great to see a gospel artist take an explicit stand against injustice.

“Praying and Believing” is an ode to how the prayer of people and the power of God can work together to effect much-needed change in individuals and in society.