Emerging Christian artist CJ Prather is inviting listeners into a testimony shaped by faith, perseverance, and deep-rooted Southern influences. With the release of her new single, "God Uses All Things," to Christian radio, Prather offers a vulnerable reminder that no season of life is wasted-not the broken moments, not the unanswered prayers, and not the tears that seem meaningless at the time. Raised in a small town in North Georgia and formed by church hymns, bluegrass, and classic Southern rock, CJ's journey from country roots to worship-driven songwriting reflects a calling refined through hardship and spiritual growth. In this conversation, she opens up about how faith defines her identity, how God redirected her heart during her college years in Nashville, and why Scripture-centered honesty remains at the core of her music.
Q For listeners who are discovering you for the first time, how would you describe who CJ Prather is as an artist and as a believer, and how your faith shapes the way you create music?
My faith shapes everything about me. Even if I couldn't carry a tune, I would still devote my life to sharing the truth that Jesus died on a cross for you and me. Thankfully, He gave me a voice to sing that message, not just shout it. That perspective shapes the way I approach my music. I don't write and sing just because I love it, but because I believe every song carries a Heavenly purpose.
Q You grew up surrounded by church hymns, bluegrass, and classic southern rock. How have those early musical influences continued to shape your sound and identity in Christian music today?
I grew up listening to a wide variety of music, which taught me to appreciate so many unique sounds. My personal style leans toward Christian music with a Southern flair; I love incorporating banjo alongside touches of blues. My musical tastes are constantly developing as I discover new genres, but my roots will always be in country-because I'm country!
Q You initially leaned toward country music before experiencing a deeper spiritual shift during your college years in Nashville. What was happening in that season that redirected your heart toward worship and Christian music?
My freshman year of college was a spiritual turning point for me. In the summer of 2020, I packed my bags and moved to Nashville without knowing a single person. Because of COVID, much of the city, including my college campus, was shut down. I had been a Christ-follower for most of my life and had a personal relationship with God, but this was the first time I truly felt alone apart from Him.
I clung to God, His Word, and the church, attending services almost every night of the week. It was one of the hardest years of my life, but looking back now, I can see God's goodness woven throughout it-the friends He brought into my life who taught me how to study Scripture, a dependence on Him that hadn't existed before, and the spiritual growth that ultimately made my calling to Christian music so clear.
Q "God Uses All Things" speaks honestly about brokenness, redemption, and God meeting us in the middle of the mess. Was there a specific moment or season in your life that inspired this song?
I wrote "God Uses All Things" during a season when I was struggling to see God's plan. I was finishing my final year of college, and many of the dreams I had been working toward weren't coming to fruition. But the Lord reminded me that there is purpose in every season, not just the ones we deem as successful. So I wrote the song I needed to hear then, and one I still find myself needing now, even in a completely different season.
Q The lyrics are filled with biblical imagery about God bringing beauty out of difficult places. How intentional are you about weaving Scripture and lived faith into your songwriting?
I'm very intentional with the words in every song I write. I never want to write something that feels almost secular and pass it off as "Christian." That's not who I am, and it's not what I personally feel called to do. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." It's deeply important to me to glorify God in everything I do, including the music I write. I also think it is so important for us to hide scripture in our hearts. And what better way to do that than through music?
Q As "God Uses All Things" goes out to Christian radio, what do you hope listeners-especially those walking through hard or confusing seasons-will take away from this song?
My hope and prayer for those who listen to "God Uses All Things" is to be encouraged: there is not a single part of your story that God cannot use. He can take the ugliest parts of us and turn it for good
Listen to the song:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/cjprather/god-uses-all-things
Connect with CJ Prather:
https://www.tiktok.com/@cjprathermusic
https://www.facebook.com/cjprathermusic
https://www.instagram.com/cjprathermusic/
https://www.youtube.com/@cjprathermusic
