“Pray For Me” preaches loyalty, sacrifice and redemption—with both artists taking on the voice of a despondent hero. Kendrick knows a thing or two about a hero/Messiah-complex from years of dispute over his role as this generation’s “Savior of Rap” dating back to good kid, m.A.A.d city.

Lamar feels his fate is inevitable or even ‘prophesied,’ as stated in the last bar of his verse:

It’s all prophecy and if I gotta be sacrificed for the greater good,
then that’s what it gotta be…

This song title calls back to a prevalent theme from DAMN.—in particular, Kendrick’s feelings of isolation, as expressed on “FEEL.” Throughout the album, Kendrick would constantly say, “Ain’t nobody praying for me.”

Feel like removin' myself,
No feelings involved
I feel for you, I been in the field for you
It’s real for you, right? Shit, I feel like–
Ain’t nobody prayin' for me…

This song can be heard playing in the Black Panther movie when T'Challa, Nakia, and Okoye arrive at a Korean casino to pursue Ulysses Klaue.

This song is similar to Kendrick’s “Mortal Man,” which both serve as the closing track to each of the respective albums. Both also challenge the listeners’ loyalty to Kendrick.