"Pray" is a song by Polish singer-songwriter Alicja, co-written with Sinclair Alan Malcolm and Weronika Gabryelczyk. Self-described as a reflection on her journey toward personal growth and artistic independence, the song was released on 5 February 2026 through the British independent record label Tenace Records. It in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, and finished in twelfth place at the final.
Background and composition "Pray" was written by Alicja Szemplińska, Sinclair Alan Malcolm and Weronika Gabryelczyk. Despite its title, the song does not carry a strictly religious meaning, with the concept of prayer used as a metaphor for overcoming personal struggles and finding inner strength, freedom and independence. Alicja has stated the song is an expression of her own experiences within the music industry and of her desire to remain authentic to her artistic identity regardless of commercial expectations, describing it as "personal". The track blends elements of gospel, hip-hop, R&B and soul, which she describes as "all the influences that have shaped as an artist"; it was initially conceived as a slower, gospel-inspired ballad before evolving into a more dynamic structure during production.
Music video and promotion Along with the song's premiere, an accompanying music video was released. Directed by Martyna Byczkowska, it is set in Alicja's hometown of Ciechanów and centres on locations of personal significance to the artist, such as the parish church and the . It features a schoolgirl portraying young Alicja, as well as local residents, her relatives and boyfriend. The music video incorporates familiar cultural tropes for domestic Polish audiences, such as large-panel-system housing, a Polish People's Republic-era school gymnasium and an old-fashioned apartment marked by religious symbols.
To further promote the song, Alicja confirmed her intent to participate in several Eurovision pre-parties, including Eurovision in Concert 2026 on 11 April and the London Eurovision Party 2026 on 19 April.
Critical reception "Pray" did not receive a clear consensus from Polish or international critics. In a review for Onet, Mateusz Kamiński characterised it as the "most surprising" entry in , noting that the opening church organ and gospel vocals serve to "mislead the listener" into expecting a traditional ballad. He highlighted the sudden transition into a sharp trap rhythm and described the track as innovative and exploratory within the Polish music scene, before concluding that the song serves as a significant point in Alicja's discography regardless of the contest's outcome. Writing for RGM, Quincy Dominic offered a highly positive review, describing the track as "nothing short of phenomenal" and stating that it "positions as an artist capable of combining technical skill with emotional storytelling" through its blend of trap elements and "soaring" vocals. Within Polish media, Alicja's vocal delivery in the song drew comparisons to that of Beyoncé. The song also received endorsements from notable Polish figures, including Justyna Steczkowska ( and Polish Eurovision representative), who stated she would "keep her fingers crossed" for Alicja to "reach the top".
Eurovision Song Contest
Finał krajowych kwalifikacji was the national final format developed by TVP in order to select its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The competition consisted of a final aired on 7 March 2026, with the winner selected exclusively by a public vote and announced the following day. Eight finalists, including Alicja with "Pray", were announced on 14 January 2026. She won the final with 26,092 votes, including 20,350 cast via the application and 5,742 cast via SMS.
At Eurovision The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 took place at the in Vienna, Austria, and consisted of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 12 and 14 May and the final on 16 May 2026. During the allocation draw held on 12 January 2026, Poland was drawn to compete in the first semi-final, performing in the second half of the show. Alicja was later drawn to perform fourteenth, after 's Senhit and before 's Lavina.
Release history + Release dates and formats for "Pray" Region Date Format(s) Version Label Various 5 February 2026 Original Tenace 8 May 2026 Gospel
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