What if the moment country music changes forever is already sitting on a hard drive in Nashville?
In a quiet studio session, Cody Johnson and Brandon Lake have been carving out something far bigger than a simple duet. They are reworking “When A Cowboy Prays” into a full Christian country event, with CoJo taking whole verses on his own, then trading lines with Lake in a final chorus that feels built for arenas and altar calls at the same time.
Fans actually called this before anyone confirmed it. When the solo version dropped back in September, comment after comment said the same thing: this sounds like a Cody Johnson song. Turns out, Brandon Lake had already made the call and walked into the studio with him.
Then came the “secret” studio photos in December. No caption spelling it out, just enough for people to realise this was not a one off experiment. It was a soft launch of a whole new lane.
Lake has already turned “Hard Fought Hallelujah” with Jelly Roll into a chart topping moment and followed it with “Make Heaven Crowded” with Cole Swindell. Now he is stepping into Cody’s world, right as Cody gears up for his 2026 tour and hints that Christian x country is only getting started.
Brandon Lake confirmed that he and Cody Johnson are teaming up for a duet version of his song, “When A Cowboy Prays.”
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Brandon Lake first released “When A Cowboy Prays” in September 2025 as a solo track, pairing rugged ranch visuals with a simple, honest prayer from a working cowboy. This is the song fans heard and instantly tagged as “begging for Cody,” long before the studio photos came out. Listen to the lyrics about rain in Oklahoma and stubborn horses, and you can almost hear CoJo riding into the mix, which is exactly why the duet now feels so natural for both artists and fans.
Brandon Lake – When A Cowboy Prays (Music Video)
Look at the last time Brandon Lake stepped into country space with “Hard Fought Hallelujah” and Jelly Roll. It is the same blueprint that the Cody Johnson duet is now following. Raw, faith filled lyrics. A country rock backbone. A guest who already lives on mainstream radio. That song quietly became the number one Christian hit of 2025 and helped win Lake key songwriting awards.
Hard Fought Hallelujah (with Jelly Roll)
