What if the greatest blessing in your life is a prayer God never answered the way you expected?

In Episode 181 of The Walk: Faith in the Real World, Dove Award-winning artist Leanna Crawford shares the deeply personal journey behind her sophomore album, Thank God. While many know Leanna for her No. 1 hit "Still Waters (Psalm 23)," this conversation reveals the seasons of disappointment, comparison, anxiety, and healing that shaped the songs on her newest record.

Leanna opens up about nearly walking away from music, how counseling helped her rediscover joy, and why she's now grateful that God didn't answer every prayer the way she wanted. She also shares the excitement surrounding her Grand Ole Opry debut, her love for country music, and how faith continues to shape every lyric she writes.

Whether you're walking through uncertainty, waiting on God, or learning to trust His timing, this conversation is a reminder that His plans are always better—even when they don't make sense at first.

Guest Bio

Leanna Crawford is a Dove Award-winning singer-songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee. Named New Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards, she is known for heartfelt songs including the RIAA Gold-certified, Billboard No. 1 hit "Still Waters (Psalm 23)." Her sophomore album, Thank God, blends country influences with honest storytelling and faith-filled encouragement as she continues reaching millions of listeners around the world.

Episode Highlights
Why Leanna almost walked away from music
How counseling helped change her perspective
The story behind her new album, Thank God
Learning gratitude in seasons of disappointment
The growing connection between country and Christian music
What it means to trust God's timing instead of your own
Her upcoming Grand Ole Opry debut
Why a full life includes both joy and sorrow

Pull Quote

"I'm thankful God didn't answer every prayer the way I wanted Him to."

Sponsor

This episode is brought to you by Planning Center—the all-in-one software that helps churches schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized.

Try it today:
https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=thewalk

Listen

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

Watch

Watch the full conversation on the Worship Leader Media YouTube channel.

What if the greatest blessing in your life is a prayer God never answered the way you expected?
In Episode 181 of <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcast_show/the-walk/">The Walk: Faith in the Real World</a>, Dove Award-winning artist Leanna Crawford shares the deeply personal journey behind her sophomore album, Thank God. While many know Leanna for her No. 1 hit "Still Waters (Psalm 23)," this conversation reveals the seasons of disappointment, comparison, anxiety, and healing that shaped the songs on her newest record.
Leanna opens up about nearly walking away from music, how counseling helped her rediscover joy, and why she's now grateful that God didn't answer every prayer the way she wanted. She also shares the excitement surrounding her Grand Ole Opry debut, her love for country music, and how faith continues to shape every lyric she writes.
Whether you're walking through uncertainty, waiting on God, or learning to trust His timing, this conversation is a reminder that His plans are always better&mdash;even when they don't make sense at first.
Guest Bio
Leanna Crawford is a Dove Award-winning singer-songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee. Named New Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards, she is known for heartfelt songs including the RIAA Gold-certified, Billboard No. 1 hit "Still Waters (Psalm 23)." Her sophomore album, Thank God, blends country influences with honest storytelling and faith-filled encouragement as she continues reaching millions of listeners around the world.
Episode Highlights
<ul data-start="2432" data-end="2819">
<li data-section-id="3b0pfq" data-start="2432" data-end="2474">Why Leanna almost walked away from music</li>
<li data-section-id="3zl2q8" data-start="2475" data-end="2521">How counseling helped change her perspective</li>
<li data-section-id="cjsdyq" data-start="2522" data-end="2567">The story behind her new album, Thank God</li>
<li data-section-id="1sd2pks" data-start="2568" data-end="2617">Learning gratitude in seasons of disappointment</li>
<li data-section-id="1kvn437" data-start="2618" data-end="2678">The growing connection between country and Christian music</li>
<li data-section-id="1o72ijm" data-start="2679" data-end="2736">What it means to trust God's timing instead of your own</li>
<li data-section-id="1hxyzct" data-start="2737" data-end="2772">Her upcoming Grand Ole Opry debut</li>
<li data-section-id="z9apcn" data-start="2773" data-end="2819">Why a full life includes both joy and sorrow</li>
</ul>
Pull Quote
"I'm thankful God didn't answer every prayer the way I wanted Him to."
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by <a href="https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=thewalk">Planning Center</a>&mdash;the all-in-one software that helps churches schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized.
Try it today: <a data-start="3664" data-end="3750">https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=thewalk</a>
Listen
<a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcast_show/the-walk/">Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music</a>
Watch
Watch the full conversation on the <a href="https://youtube.com/c/WorshipLeaderMedia">Worship Leader Media YouTube</a> channel.

Part of the Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network, The Walk is a weekly devotional podcast where faith meets story in powerful, personal ways.

Each episode features a first-person devotional from a worship leader, pastor, artist, or creative—believers who don’t just lead worship, but live it. These aren’t interviews; they’re heartfelt testimonies about walking with God in the highs and lows, the mundane and miraculous.

Produced by Worship Leader Magazine, a trusted resource in worship ministry for over 30 years, The Walk equips and encourages worshipers to cultivate a lifestyle of Spirit-led worship beyond the platform.

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, these stories will help you walk closer with Jesus.

Explore every episode:worshipleader.com/podcasts

Part of the Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network, The Walk is a weekly devotional podcast where faith meets story in powerful, personal ways.
Each episode features a first-person devotional from a worship leader, pastor, artist, or creative&mdash;believers who don&rsquo;t just lead worship, but live it. These aren&rsquo;t interviews; they&rsquo;re heartfelt testimonies about walking with God in the highs and lows, the mundane and miraculous.
Produced by Worship Leader Magazine, a trusted resource in worship ministry for over 30 years, The Walk equips and encourages worshipers to cultivate a lifestyle of Spirit-led worship beyond the platform.
Whether you&rsquo;re a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, these stories will help you walk closer with Jesus.
Explore every episode: <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcasts/" data-start="1072" data-end="1137">worshipleader.com/podcasts</a>

Worship Leaders are more than just musicians and performers. These leaders and creatives walk with God daily and can bring a good word to the Body of Christ.

The Walk: A Devotional Podcast from Worship Leader Magazine

The Walk Podcast shares real conversations with worshippers—moments when faith was tested, obedience cost something, and God showed up.

You’ll hear the struggle.
You’ll hear the choice.
You’ll hear what God did.

Because faith isn’t just a moment—it’s a walk. And you don’t have to walk it alone.

Hosted by Bay Turner
Part of the Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network

Explore every episode: worshipleader.com/podcasts
Learn more: worshipleader.com/podcast/the-walk
Subscribe on your favorite platform: pod.link/1631583177

The Walk Podcast shares real conversations with worshippers&mdash;moments when faith was tested, obedience cost something, and God showed up.
You&rsquo;ll hear the struggle. You&rsquo;ll hear the choice. You&rsquo;ll hear what God did.
Because faith isn&rsquo;t just a moment&mdash;it&rsquo;s a walk. And you don&rsquo;t have to walk it alone.
Hosted by <a href="https://www.bayturner.com/">Bay Turner</a> Part of the <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcasts/">Worship Leader Magazine Podcast Network</a>
Explore every episode: <a href="https://www.worshipleader.com/podcasts" data-start="773" data-end="841">worshipleader.com/podcasts</a> Learn more: <a href="https://worshipleader.com/podcast/the-walk" data-start="856" data-end="936">worshipleader.com/podcast/the-walk</a> Subscribe on your favorite platform: <a href="https://pod.link/1631583177" data-start="976" data-end="1026">pod.link/1631583177</a>

The Walk Podcast: Faith in the Real World

Leanna Crawford: Thank God for the Prayers He Didn't Answer

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/1c8cd1a8-a8eb-4af3-899f-b48e011cb5fb/transcript