“The Lord Has Made a Way” – Pastor Derail Smith & the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Warriors

“The Lord Has Made a Way”
Pastor Derail Smith & the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Warriors
Independent (release date: May 15, 2023)

By Robert M. Marovich

Now in its seventh decade of music ministry, the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Warriors, founded by the late Father Charles G. Hayes, are known for their romping, stomping style of gospel singing. Ever since Dr. Charles Clency was its director, and continuing through the leadership of Allen Cathey, the Warriors have emblemized the full-throated and rhythmically exciting sound of the Spiritual church choir.

Their latest single, “The Lord Has Made a Way,” moves to the Warriors’ time-honored quick tempo, with the choir wrapping their chops around large, round harmonies to what sounds like a washboard accenting the rhythm. The organ is true Cosmo but the modern synth takes away from the traditional feel. Lyrically, the song is more like a praise break response to an earlier gospel or hymn that moved the congregation. Not in the same league as “Jesus Can Work It Out,” “The Bridegroom Cometh,” or the other Dianne Williams’ led church wreckers, but the Warriors’ passion and energy are still present.