In a year packed with big country headlines, this might be the moment fans remember most. Cody Johnson is stepping into a new lane with Brandon Lake on “When A Cowboy Prays,” and it feels less like a stunt and more like the next honest chapter of his story.
For years, Cody has built a career on straight talking songs about work, family, and grit, and now he is letting fans see where that strength comes from. This duet does not chase a trend because it sounds like Cody taking the same fearless honesty that filled “Til You Can’t” and turning it toward his time with God.
Brandon Lake brings the worship fire that turned “Hard Fought Hallelujah” into a chart storm, while Cody brings the saddle worn voice of a man who actually lives the life in these lyrics. Together they make a prayer that feels like it could be whispered in a barn, a truck, or a sold out arena.
The timing could not be sharper as Cody rolls into a huge 2026 run, from the Houston Rodeo to Stagecoach to a night with George Strait, and fans are already saying they know this song is coming with him.
When A Cowboy Prays ft. @CodyJohnson Available Jan 9th!
In the first acoustic version of “When A Cowboy Prays,” Brandon Lake sits in the quiet and lets the story do the heavy lifting. The guitar is bare, the tempo is unhurried, and every line sounds written for people carrying real weight on their shoulders. You can already hear a blend of country grit and worship heart, shaped by gentle background harmonies.
When A Cowboy Prays (Acoustic)
Before “When A Cowboy Prays,” Brandon Lake tested the waters with Jelly Roll on “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” and the result changed the rules for Christian and country music. The song became the top Christian hit of 2025 and proved that honest stories of struggle and faith can fill arenas and flood charts at the same time.