Introduction
On August 5, 2022, … a few months after Amy Grant’s bicycle accident, Vince Gill invited their daughter, Corrina Grant Gill, to the stage at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville to perform “When My Amy Prays.” Corrina changed the chorus line from “When my Amy prays” to “When my Mama prays,” eliciting thunderous applause and tears from the crowd as she sang with raw vulnerability. The intimate setting of the Ryman, known as the “Mother Church of Country Music,” amplified the emotional weight of the moment.
“When My Amy Prays” first appeared on Vince Gill’s fifteenth studio album, Okie, released August 23, 2019. Inspired by his deep love and admiration for Amy Grant, Gill wrote the song as a tribute to her faith and strength. In interviews, Gill explained that Merle Haggard’s advice to “just tell the truth” guided him toward writing songs that reflect real-life experiences without judgment. The album itself deals with topics ranging from religious faith—exemplified by “When My Amy Prays”—to social issues like racial equality and personal trauma.
Corrina Grant Gill, born March February 2001, has gradually stepped into the spotlight as a musician in her own right, releasing her debut single “Too Much” in June 2023. However, in August 2022, she was only starting to share her musical talents publicly. With her voice slightly trembling, Corrina apologized for her emotion before continuing the song, demonstrating both her heritage and personal connection to the lyrics. That night, her performance wasn’t just a musical duet but a heartfelt gift for her mother, who was facing recovery after a concussion and other injuries.
This performance resonates on multiple levels. First, it underscores the theme of familial love and support—Corrina stepping into her father’s song elevates it from a simple country ballad to a family celebration. Second, it highlights Amy Grant’s resilience; despite her health challenges, she was present in spirit, honored through her husband’s composition and her daughter’s sincere delivery. Finally, it connects listeners to the universal power of faith and prayer, themes that transcend genre and era.
Video
Lyrics
All my life I’ve known of Jesus
But that connection never came
And when my world was torn to pieces
I still couldn’t call his name
But when my Amy prays
When my Amy prays
That’s when I see his face
She gave me my first Bible
It sits right beside my bed
On the nights my hands are rattled
I turn the pages but its seldom read
And when my Amy prays
When my Amy prays
That’s when I feel grace
She’s got my back and she don’t judge me
She gives my heart some time to change
Even at my worst I know she loves me
She’s my shelter from the rain
And when my Amy prays
When my Amy prays
That’s when my hands raise
And when my Amy prays
And when my Amy prays
That’s when my hands raise