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Stolen Prayer (The Last Temptation, 1994)

“Stolen Prayer” Lyrics:

I walk the streets alone
On feeble bones, I ride
My sins are etched in stone
I got no place to hide
Well, I was unshakable
In what I did believe
I feel so breakable
But have I been deceived

You showed me your paradise
And your carnival of souls
But my heart keeps telling me
That ain’t the place to go
Well, I’m not invincible
So I want you to leave
Well, I’m so convinceable
But have I been deceived

 I take your words and try them on
[Chris] Yeah, it’s a perfect fit, boy
You tell me one size fits us all
[Chris] Yeah, like an old straight jacket
Well, tell me why I’m so afraid
All my words are spoken (3x)
In a stolen prayer

I remember yesterday
When things were black and white
Never thought I’d get confused
On what was wrong and right
Well, I’m not unbreakable
With armor on my skin

Well, it’s not unthinkable
I could be fooled again

 I take your words and try them on
[Chris] Yeah, it’s a perfect fit, boy
You tell me one size fits us all
[Chris] Yeah, like an old straight jacket
Well, tell me why I’m so afraid
All my words are spoken (3x)
In a stolen prayer

 You steal another minute from my life
You cut a little deeper with your knife
You steal a little breath from my air
And you don’t care
And even though I’m chokin’
All my words are spoken

I take your words and try them on
[Chris] Yeah, it’s a perfect fit, boy
You tell me one size fits us all
[Chris] Yeah, like an old straight jacket
Take this world and try it on
[Chris] Man, you’re lookin’ good boy
Stick your neck out on the block
[Chris] So you won’t miss nothing
Stretch your finger, grab your hair
[Chris] Don’t you feel like screaming
Feel the blood rush from your veins
[Chris] Now you’re a perfect zombie
Now I’m down on my knees

(All my words are spoken)
(All my words are spoken)
All my words are spoken
All my words are spoken
In a stolen prayer

Alice Cooper shocked the music industry in 1994. With the release of his thirteenth solo studio album, The Last Temptation, Alice also issued a statement to the world of Rock.

With songs like “Nothing’s Free,” “You’re My Temptation,” “Lullaby,” and “Cleansed by Fire,” it was evident that Alice had not only embraced the Christian faith, but he was willing to address the subject on an album.

“The very fact that He [God] cared enough about me to save my life about 20 times, you know, and help me survive a million different things to put me where I am now. And then the challenge I have now, being a Christian in the rock business. You know, He kind of put me in the camp of the Philistines, which is okay.” – Alice Cooper

There’s no doubt Alice embraces his role as not only the Godfather of Shock Rock but a glimmer of light for those that are willing to listen. Dave Mustaine, Megadeth’s lead singer and guitar player admits, “Alice Cooper tried to talk to me when I went out with him in the beginning – Alice is my godfather.

Long story, short, Alice helped Mustaine clean up his act and become sober. Mustaine is also a Christian now as well.

Stolen Prayer,” the sixth track on The Last Temptation LP, finds Alice collaborating with the late Chris Cornell, former lead singer for Soundgarden. The song paints a picture of the enemy’s attempts to lead us astray, having us believe his lies as truth instead of focusing on God’s Word.

The following post is a brilliant narrative written by Pastor Paul Ahnert, Metal Mission of Knoxville. Read carefully and enjoy it! (The original post can be found here.)

SATAN’S PROMISE IS ONE SIZE FITS ALL:
LIKE AN OLD STRAITJACKET

Has your worldview shifted over time? Do you question things you once believed to be true?  Does what once seemed black and white now begin to take on shades of gray?  Has truth changed with time, or are we in danger of becoming jaded by our experiences?  

The world we live in offers so much promise yet delivers so much emptiness, which can be attested to by those who have reached out to grab the golden ring, only to find plastic-wrapped in fool’s gold. The American Dream peddled, to us by Madison Avenue, is nothing more than an unattainable vapor, something as easily apprehended as a handful of smoke.

The pathway to the “pursuit of happiness” is littered with the wreckage of shattered lives, yet new pilgrims embark on the journey each day.  

What is the reason? Can it be humanity is inherently stupid, or could there be an external siren song, calling us to self-destruction – self-destruction disguised as freedom?

This post is inspired by the song, “Stolen Prayer,” written by the late Chris Cornell called Stolen Prayer.  Originally written for, but never recorded by, Ozzy Osborne. Alice Cooper recorded the song on his album The Last Temptation.

When we are young and idealistic, life seems so full of hope and wonder. The same can be said about our early days of faith, especially if you have come to the Lord as an adult. 

As newborn babes in Christ, there is nothing but hope and excitement; our faith seems unshakable.  Then life comes at us like a freight train, and all we were so sure of suddenly becomes a ball of confusion. 

Questions like: Is God really there? Does God really care? Those questions and many others begin to creep in, and the voice of our enemy seems far clearer and louder than the voice of our Father.

When we begin to listen to that voice, the voice of doubt and discouragement, the voice who tells us we are worthless or deserve better than what we are getting, when we listen to that voice, it’s not long before we are bound up and neutralized. 

Jesus faced Satan at His weakest point, after 40 days of fasting.  Jesus had no physical strength to defeat a celestial being – a being of great power and intellect.  The only defense Jesus had available was the Word of God.  The only weapon available was the only weapon necessary.  

There is a battle of words for our souls. Satan’s words telling us freedom is one size fits all, except the freedom he offers is a straight jacket.  On the other hand, it is God’s words, telling us His plan for us is unique and tailor-made for the person He has allowed us to become.  Also in the mix are our words, words spoken either in prayer or in vanity.

It is ironic, the One who speaks to us in whispers (whispers we must train ourselves to hear) died in our stead while the one who speaks to us in clearly understood, silky tones that entice us to die for him.  Everything comes down words.

God’s Word is filled with promises and accounts of fulfilled promises. God’s word also tells us there will be times when we will walk through the valley of the shadow of death.  Amid the valley of death is the promise of God never to leave us nor forsake us. Even in our times of unfaithfulness, God promises to remain faithful to us, if we are His (2 Timothy 2:13).

These are essential words; they are life-sustaining words.

We have to prepare for life’s swerves, peaks, and valleys. We are heading straight for those times when we are tempted to question truth (especially when the silken voice of the serpent hisses lies in our ears). The only weapon we have is the only weapon necessary, God’s word.

“Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee” – Psalm 119:11

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked nor stands in the way of sinners nor sits in the seat of scoffers” – Psalm 1:1

The embodiment of wickedness is the prince of sinners and scoffers. The father of lies will flatter you or degrade you, depending on what is most effective. The Prince of Peace will tell you the truth and give you the power to respond appropriately. Whose words are you listening to? Whose words have the greatest influence on you?

Use your words and pray to the Father of Lights: Matthew 26:41 – Watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation…

Jesus’ words are a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, while the words of the angel of perdition promise everything we think we ever wanted but lead to the deepest depths of darkness where those who walk are clothed in despair.

“My sheep know my voice, I know them and they follow me”John 10:27

Train yourself to recognize the voice of the Shepherd so you won’t be fooled when the serpent hisses his deadly promises in your ear. Learn to recognize the words of the Shepherd and ask for the power to do what His words tell you.

Now, go live as Christ… and give the devil hell!

Wrapping this up, Pastor Paul Ahnert’s interpretation of “Stolen Prayer” is an in-depth look at the daily attacks waged by the enemy against us. How many times have we tried to slip on that one-size-fits-all lie that ends up binding our hearts and minds against our own Creator?

The slippery slope of sin and deceit catch us off-guard, often leaving us dismayed and confused when we realize the truth. May we come to realize that a good portion of the journey is best spent “on our knees” in prayer – asking for God’s purpose and His path to be revealed as we navigate the “carnival of souls.”

In conclusion, The Last Temptation is an impressive display of faith, cognizance, and truth neatly fastened together within a hard-hitting concept album. Very rarely does an entire LP have the ability to speak the truth and effectively change hearts and minds like The Last Temptation does.

Whether it changes, reaffirms, or introduces the listener to the concept of faith, temptation, and vice, one can’t help but consider the elements found on the album. The narratives found song after song challenges the listener – calling them to action. By the end of the record, the listener is fully compelled to search for the Truth – God’s Truth.

That’s it for this week. Be well and catch you next Friday.

Until then, Keep Walkin’ in Faith and Rockin’ with Alice!

Have you accepted Christ as your Savior?

If you would like to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, please pray the following prayer:

"God, I believe in you and your son Jesus Christ.  I believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave to save me. Today, I invite Jesus into my heart to stay.  I make you Lord over my life. Make me new. Wash me, Lord, and cleanse me. In Jesus Name, Amen"

If you have just prayed that prayer, we want to celebrate your new victory with you.  Please contact us at prayers@oceanfloorministries.com so we can welcome you into the kingdom.  We don't want you to have to walk alone and we have some resources we would like the opportunity to share with you.

NOTE: We’d also like to share the following resources used by “Fridays With Alice.” Without these books and sites, this would be a much more complicated endeavor. So be sure to check them out if interested.

Click the images to learn more about these resources:

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