In the 47th edition of Music Lifts (2023), weβre uplifted by iconic gospel collective The Clark Sisters performing, βA Praying Spirit.β
Welcome to Music Lifts πΆ π, a column that seeks to highlight songs that encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit; songs that exude fortitude, positivity, and resolve, even in the face of adversity.Β Featured songs arenβt genre-specific; songs may or may not be faith-based. The goal is for these songs to make you feel better β be LIFTED to new heights!Β So, for the 47th edition of Music Lifts πΆ π (2023), we highlight π΅ βA Praying Spiritβ as performed by π The Clark Sisters.
βLord give me a praying spirit / A praying spirit / Lord help me to say yes (Yes Lord).β Ah, πΌ β Ebernita Clark, better known as Twinkie Clark, composed a sensational gem for the iconic gospel collective, π The Clark Sisters. Β π΅ βA Praying Spiritβ finds the Detroit collective at their best, being true innovators in the gospel realm.Β Originally, βA Praying Spiritβ appeared on their album, πΏ Count It All Joy.Β That album, and a second LP by the sisters, is now issued as πΏ Count It All Joy / He Gave Me Nothing To Lose.Β Anyways, thematically and lyrically, what The Clark Sisters minister musically isnβt complex. They encourage petitioning β conversing and praying to God β consistently.
βA praying spirit throughout the day / A praying spirit in every way,β the sole verse of βA Praying Spiritβ goes, continuing, βA praying spirit that I might stay / A praying spirit lest I faint, oh Lord.β Itβs all about the importance and power of prayer, truly leaning into and building that relationship with The Most High.Β Beyond the centerpiece, the chorus, and that thoughtful verse, βA Praying Spiritβ features a rousing bridge, which emphasizes β wait for it β PRAYER.Β Furthermore, the outro provides more fuel to the fire of β again, wait for it β PRAYER.Β As the scripture says, βPrayer is the key of heaven,β and The Clark Sisters ensure you understand, embrace, and donβt neglect it.Β Additionally, besides the emphasis on talking to God, π΅ βA Praying Spiritβ features utterly sublime vocal harmonies, and an ear catching harmonic progression.Β So, you get the lift ποΈ and the music theory π€!
π The Clark Sisters β’ πΏ Count It All Joy / He Gave Me Nothing To Lose β’ π· Sound of Gospel β’ π 2002
The Clark Sisters, A Praying Spirit Β : Music Lifts πΆ π No. 47 (2023) [π·: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Sound of Gospel; cottonbro studio, Itzel Sandoval, Neeraj Nagdeve via Pexels]