How a Backstage Encounter Inspired Matthew West’s Project on Prayer

Published: May 6, 2026

By Mallory Mattingly

Award-winning recording artist, songwriter and author Matthew West revealed why he felt his newest project should be all about prayer.

“Well, I think I’ve discovered — I’ve made music long enough to know that a lot of times, the songs I’m writing, they’re not just for the people I’m singing to. Sometimes the songs are for the singer, too,” West said on the “Kirk Cameron on TBN” podcast. “And so, this topic of prayer is something that, you know, as a follower of Christ, a lot of times I’ll beat myself up and go, I should be further along in this discipline of prayer.”

“And to be specific with you,” he continued. He recounted doing a meet-and-greet in South Carolina where he met a husband and wife.

“I said, ‘Let’s take a picture.’ And they said, ‘Well, actually, we were wondering if you could pray for us.’ I said, ‘I’d be happy to pray for you. What’s going on?’ And she said, ‘Well, we’re at your concert tonight, but tomorrow morning we’ll be at the hospital one mile down the road.’ The wife was battling breast cancer and going in for surgery, and I could see the fear in her eyes,” West recalled.

“Now, I know a lot of people might be guilty of the same thing that I am,” he continued, “which is [to] say, ‘You know what? I’ll be praying for you.’ And then you move on and life gets going, and do you actually really pray for that person?”

“But in that moment, I felt a check in my spirit to say, ‘Let’s stop the line right now and let’s huddle together.’ And we prayed in that moment. And I’ve been working to get more in the practice of instead of saying, ‘I’ll be praying for you,’ but to really like grow in the discipline of prayer,” West reflected. “And so that’s been front and center in my heart, in my own personal journey. And that’s what inspired me to sit down and write the song, ‘Don’t Stop Praying.’ And it’s been resonating with people in a way that’s led me to believe that, you know what, we’ve all got a battle we’re fighting.”

West released his hit song, “Don’t Stop Praying” two years ago, something that “started as a song has turned into something so much bigger.” Now, the song has turned into a book which released in February.

“Matthew reveals the beauty of prayer — not as a perfect performance, but as an intimate conversation with your heavenly Father,” the description explains. “Whether you read this as a daily devotional or take your time on this journey, each chapter is paired with practical challenges, thoughtful prompts, and journaling space to help you reflect, grow, and connect more deeply with God.”