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

 Wikimedia Commons

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
British court rejects Ukrainian extradition for Church supporter
British court rejects Ukrainian extradition for Church supporter

A British court has rejected an extradition request by the Ukrainian government for a supporter of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

BBC ignorant of religion, says Archbishop of York
BBC ignorant of religion, says Archbishop of York

The BBC suffers from an “appalling lack of religious literacy”, the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, has said.

Iranian Bishop of Chelmsford denounces 'unjust and illegal' war
Iranian Bishop of Chelmsford denounces 'unjust and illegal' war

The Bishop of Chelmsford, who fled from Iran as a teenager, has denounced the US-Israeli attack on the country as “unjust and illegal”.

The calling of Christians in these solemn days
The calling of Christians in these solemn days

In such an hour, the church must neither panic nor grow silent. We are called to pray and to proclaim.