{"id":384889,"date":"2026-04-06T15:54:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T15:54:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/384889\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T15:54:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T15:54:16","slug":"lionel-richie-reflects-on-early-anointing-from-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/384889\/","title":{"rendered":"Lionel Richie reflects on early \u2018anointing\u2019 from God"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Leah MarieAnn Klett<\/a>, Assistant Editor Monday, April 06, 2026\"Twitter\"<\/a>\"LionelLionel Richie speaks to The Christian Post on March 30, 2026, in Hollywood, California. | The Christian Post<\/p>\n

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. \u2014 For music icon Lionel Richie, \u201cJesus Is Love,\u201d a song he wrote decades ago, remains just as relevant today as it was when he first recorded it.<\/p>\n

After he performed the song, originally released with the Commodores in 1980, alongside Luke Bryan during \u201cSongs of Faith\u201d <\/a>night on “American Idol,” the 76-year-old singer reflected on the power of the song\u2019s lyrics, particularly in a cultural moment he said calls for unity and prayer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are in need of prayer. We are in need of power,\u201d Richie told The Christian Post. \u201cThe irony of this is that every time I write a song, it seems to be needed more as life goes on. We keep repeating the same stupidity. Every generation, we do the same thing, and here we are again, in need of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cJesus Is Love\u201d includes the lyrics \u201c’Cause Jesus is love\/ He won’t let you down\/ And I know He’s mine\/ Forever.\u201d Richie reflected on how, over the years, the song has taken on new layers of meaning, including a moment when he performed it at the 2009 memorial service for Michael Jackson.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last time I sang that song was at Michael\u2019s funeral, when Mother Katherine asked me to sing it,\u201d Richie recalled. \u201cEach time, it calls for a moment of reflection, to think about where we are and how we got here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Richie is one of the most successful artists in modern music history, with a career spanning more than five decades. As a member of the Commodores and later as a solo artist, he helped define the sound of pop and R&B in the 1970s and \u201980s, penning hits such as \u201cEasy,\u201d \u201cThree Times a Lady,\u201d \u201cHello,\u201d \u201cAll Night Long (All Night)\u201d and \u201cSay You, Say Me.\u201d<\/p>\n

His 1982 self-titled solo debut and the blockbuster follow-up Can\u2019t Slow Down also earned him multiple Grammy Awards and sold tens of millions of albums worldwide. In 1985, Richie co-wrote the charity single \u201cWe Are the World\u201d with Michael Jackson, a global anthem for humanitarian aid that raised millions for famine relief in Africa.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone said to me the other day, \u2018You need to write another \u201cWe Are the World,\u201d” Richie said. \u201cI said, \u2018Just play it again.\u2019 And it\u2019s the same with \u2018Jesus Is Love.\u2019 The message is the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

The artist, who grew up in Tuskegee, Alabama, said that faith has always guided his life and career, as he felt an anointing from God from a young age.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf someone said to me years ago, back in the ’70s, \u2018You need to get turned on to God,\u2019 I said, \u2018I’ve been turned on forever. What are you talking about?\u2019 In other words, it’s not a fad. It’s a feeling, it’s a presence. And if you understand that, I just stand there to receive it. It’s gracious and it’s wonderful, and it’s glorious. You just have to be able to understand that when you’re anointed, you take that step. Who’s going to be the ministers? We all are.\u201d<\/p>\n

That perspective, he said, has shaped both his understanding of success and his sense of responsibility as an artist. Richie emphasized he sees music as a form of ministry and an opportunity to encourage and uplift others.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you have a moment to be in ministry, turn to the person who is not in the right way of thinking and correct them,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s your ministry.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the same time, Richie cautioned against what he described as the misuse of faith in public discourse.<\/p>\n

\u201cGod has been hijacked so many times,\u201d he said. \u201cYou don\u2019t need all of the congregation. You just need to listen to your heart and understand He\u2019s speaking to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite his global fame, Richie said he remains closely connected to his roots. He recently returned to Tuskegee, where he was greeted by members of his home church community.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo my horror, I had my entire congregation waiting there,\u201d he said with a laugh. \u201cThey said, \u2018Lionel, we need a few things.\u2019 \u2026 \u201cIt was wonderful to get back home and fellowship with everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whether he\u2019s serving as a judge on \u201cAmerican Idol\u201d or mentoring the next generation of artists, Richie said he wants to use his platform to point audiences toward hope and unity.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re all human beings. We\u2019re all God\u2019s children,\u201d he said. \u201cWe all have mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers. Let\u2019s treat each other like our family. That\u2019s all we need.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leah M. Klett is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: leah.klett@christianpost.com<\/a><\/p>\n