Elvis Presley 'always turned to God whenever he needed help', says stepbrother

The stepbrother of Elvis Presley wants to tell the world how important Christianity was to the King of Rock n' Roll. 

Billy Stanley goes into detail about the superstar's Christian faith in his new book, The Faith of Elvis, coming out in October. 

In an interview with the Observer newspaper about his famous stepbrother, Stanley said the music legend used to pray to God before every concert because it helped settle his nerves.

He remembered the two praying together at bedtime when he was a child and Elvis reading him Bible stories. 

He also recalls Elvis singing gospel songs at home. 

When it came to praying before shows, Stanley said that Elvis "always turned to God whenever he needed help".

"I asked him once, 'Why do you say the prayer before [each show]?' He said: 'It kind of settles my nerves but also I want God to help bless this concert, so make it a good one,'" Stanley said. 

Stanley said he wants to shed more light on Presley's Christian faith so that people can see past the "glitz and glamour". 

"Elvis was so appreciative of what the Lord had given him. He thanked God every day and constantly sought God's guidance through prayer and reading the Bible," he said. 

The 16 August will mark the 45th anniversary of Elvis' death. He died at Graceland on 16 August 1977 when he was 42.

Stanley's mother was Davada 'Dee' Stanley, the second wife of Elvis' dad, Vernon Presley. 

News
Christian beliefs increasingly unfamiliar to British public, research finds
Christian beliefs increasingly unfamiliar to British public, research finds

With more and more people unclear about basic Christian teachings, Britain “is a mission field” in need of faithful Gospel witness, says Ligonier Ministries, which commissioned the survey. 

Half of Catholic churches in Glasgow to close
Half of Catholic churches in Glasgow to close

The city was once famed for its Catholic heritage.

The questions Britain must answer about Christian free speech
The questions Britain must answer about Christian free speech

The case of Anita Meston, the teacher sacked by a secondary school for expressing pro-life views, deepens Britain’s reputation for suppressing Christian freedom of speech.

Do we truly give thanks for harvest and the harvesters?
Do we truly give thanks for harvest and the harvesters?

This year’s harvest comes at a crisis moment for British farmers.