Gospel Star Tamela Mann Says Prayer Is ‘Like Therapy’

Published: November 1, 2023

Gospel Star Tamela Mann Says Prayer Is ‘Like Therapy’

By Movieguide® Contributor

Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Tamela Mann is sharing her routine for spiritual well-being.

“Prayer is like therapy for me,” she said in a piece for Guideposts. “I can express myself to God and talk with Him. I know that even if He doesn’t answer right away, He’s working. He speaks to my heart through His word, songs and even other people. Sometimes He uses time or another person to give me confirmation about my prayers or see the answer that I’m looking for when I can’t see it for myself.”

Mann also shared her favorite place to pray: while driving in her car.

“You can prevent interruptions by turning off the radio and phone, and nobody is going to walk up to the car to talk to you! Perfect place to talk to the Lord,” the singer explained.

Mann has enjoyed massive success in the music and movie industry, but she is always quick to turn the spotlight back on God.

“I just want to be able to put people’s eyes back on God. Not their eyes be on me, but your eyes and your ears tuned in to what thus say the Lord. What is His desire for our lives and for our steps to be ordered by Him? So that’s my focus, my goal until I die,” she told the Christian Post.

Mann is currently on tour with other gospel music stars like Kirk Franklin, The Clark Sisters and her husband, David Mann.

She is also set to appear in the upcoming movie THE COLOR PURPLE.

“My husband, David, got a call from Tyler Perry, who said, ‘Can you send over some footage of Tamela for the people to see? Because Oprah is over there fighting for her to have this part, and she needs them to see who Tamela Mann is,’” she told Oprah Daily. “I was hollering and so excited but also really nervous because people know me for singing, not dancing. But I went in with the heart and mindset of I can do this.”

Mann got the role, adding that a set visit from Oprah Winfrey “made everyone feel special.”

“After I finished my part, I texted her saying, ‘I hope I made you proud.’ She was like, ‘You sure did,’” the singer shared. “I thank God for Ms. Winfrey and for her just mentioning my name and believing in me.”

Movieguide® previously reported:

Mann is set to star in the upcoming movie version of the musical THE COLOR PURPLE, and a very big name was the one to push for Mann to appear in the movie: Oprah Winfrey.

“She was like, ‘This needs to be Tamela Mann. … Some people haven’t heard of you, but I felt like they need to hear from you,’” she shared. “I just got chills right now. The honor of how the Lord just used her to speak on my behalf.”

Mann has been working in Hollywood for years, but this movie will be one of her biggest roles yet. The actress said she is grateful for her opportunity “to serve,” and to have a door opened for her in the entertainment industry.

“Sometimes we do feel like doors are not open enough or doors get shut in our faces, which sometimes when the door gets closed it’s not always bad,” she explained. “A lot of times [opportunities are] allowed to close because it’s not for you at that time.”