Why Harry Connick, Jr. Calls Faith, Family ‘Most Important’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Singer, musician, actor, composer and TV host Harry Connick Jr. joined the Jesus Calling podcast to discuss his faith journey and the power of prayer.
“My faith and my family, those are the most important things to me,” Connick, Jr. began. “If I’m happy in my marriage, if I’m happy in my family life and in my spiritual life, no matter what comes my way, everything sort of falls into place.”
Connick, Jr. lost his mother when he was thirteen years old. He said it was one of the hardest things he dealt with in his life.
“I’ve had some tough times in my life,” the actor said. “The toughest was when my mom died when I was thirteen. That was a real test, knowing that was kind of part of God’s plan.”
“I really had to hold on to my faith and believe that, ‘This is what’s supposed to happen. I’m going to try to accept this as gracefully as I can.’ Now, those were high ideals. I wasn’t able to do that at thirteen years old,” he added.
Then about seven and a half years ago, Connick, Jr’s wife was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“That was another incredible test of my faith,” he expressed. “I feel like my faith has passed that test every time, and when that happens, it deepens just a little bit more. Like I was saying to my dad last night, my dad will be ninety-five this month. It’s something that grows, and although he’s been a man of faith his entire life, I think his faith is even deeper now and I’m seeing how that works.”
Through all the difficulties he has experienced, Connick, Jr. concluded that prayer has always helped him.
“I really believe in the power of prayer,” he emphasized. “We’ve all experienced loss. We’ve all been frustrated, confused. We’ve all been scared. I’ve prayed a lot. Recording this music was a form of prayer for me where I could close my eyes and really kind of sink into the lyrics that I was singing.”
“And I truly believe that the power of prayer works,” Connick, Jr. added, “And when I tell somebody ‘I’ll send some prayers your way, I’m going to pray for you,’ I really mean that.”
“Prayer is keeping that line open with God for me. I believe He’s listening, and I believe that He’ll answer us in ways that He thinks they should be answered, and they may not be what we expect. Sometimes we may get to know, but I’m okay with it. Prayer is important to me, and I believe in it,” he concluded.
Movieguide® previously reported on Connick, Jr.’s gospel album:
Award-winning artist Harry Connick Jr. is no stranger to teaming up with the best in the industry. However, for his newest album, “Alone With My Faith,” Connick Jr. worked from home and reflected on his faith.
Connick Jr. played over 25 instruments to complete the new album, which is full of timeless hymns like “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “The Old Rugged Cross.”
“Those were songs that I’ve sung a lot and haven’t recorded, so I thought it would be cool to do those. And then a couple of the others were actually suggested to me by people in my life. My dad loves the song ‘Panis Angelicus’ (Bread of Angels) and my stepmom loves ‘Old Time Religion,’” Connick Jr. told Guideposts.
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