Elvis Presley Was a Devoted Christian: How His Faith Shaped His Life and Career
The singer’s love of God extended well beyond his gospel music
Elvis Presley may have been a solo artist, but he wasn’t completely alone in his musical success. It turns out that each time the rock icon put on a live performance for the ages, he would say a prayer before going on stage, read the Bible and ask God for guidance, according to his stepbrother. Keep reading for everything we know about Elvis Presley’s Christianity.
The importance of Elvis Presley’s faith
Presley’s stepbrother, Billy Stanley (who also worked with the singer and often accompanied him on the road), said during an interview with The Observer, that the public generally viewed Presley with a focus on his notoriety without paying attention to who he was as a person and the role his faith played in his character, per The Guardian.
“He relied on God for everything,” Stanley recalled to the outlet. “It’s where he got his strength. Elvis was so appreciative of what the Lord had given him. He thanked God every day and constantly sought God’s guidance through prayer and reading the Bible.”
Stanley even authored a novel based on his brother’s spirituality: The Faith of Elvis: A Story Only a Brother Can Tell.
“From the day Billy Stanley arrived at Graceland and received a bear hug from the King of Rock and Roll to the last conversation they ever had, one thing stayed the same: Elvis’s passion for sharing God’s love with as many people he could,” reads the book synopsis. “In The Faith of Elvis, Billy illuminates Elvis’s Christian journey—from the notes Elvis made in his beloved Bible to his struggles with sin as his fame increased to his remarkable generosity toward fans and movie stars alike.”
He prayed before taking the stage
“When we saw him bow his head, then we knew,” said Stanley, noting that Presley never recited the prayer aloud.
“It was probably about 15 seconds long. I asked him once, ‘Why do you say the prayer before?’ He said: ‘It kind of settles my nerves but also I want God to help bless this concert, so make it a good one.’ He always turned to God whenever he needed help.”
Stanley went on to say Presley once told him that a show was like a first date: “You never really know how the date will turn out but you always hope it will be a good one.”
Presley passed down his love of God
Stanley also shared that the Love Me Tender singer mentored and shared his values and lessons learned with his younger brothers, including Stanley and his two brothers, Ricky and David.
One of those pearls of wisdom: “With God, all things are possible.”
Presley would also lead them through bedtime prayers and read the Bible with them, sometimes acting out its characters.
“It was quite an experience to have Elvis as your Sunday school teacher,” Stanley said.
He adored gospel music
Presley was never shy about his passion for Christian music, even releasing gospel albums titled “His Hand In Mine,” Grammy-winning “How Great Thou Art” and “He Touched Me” and the EP “Peace in the Valley,” a short gospel release he famously performed on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Stanley also remembered hearing Presley singing around the house, saying typically sang Gospel to unwind after a concert.
“He would sing gospel songs until the sun came up,” Stanley said.
This is not to suggest Presley didn’t enjoy his iconic rock’n’roll hits, but that his “heart and soul were always with gospel music,” which he likened to “singing the Bible,” said Stanley.
Presley’s relationship with God was mostly outside of the church
Even before his heartbreaking death, Presley had a tumultuous life. During his struggles, he always turned to prayer but he never went to church with his brothers, said Stanley.
“I’m afraid if I go in, people will pay more attention to me than the preacher,” Stanley remembered Presley saying.
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