Like a Prayer (song) calls her name, it alludes to the song". Theologian Andrew Greeley compared "Like a Prayer" with the biblical Song of Songs. Greeley, although focusing more on the video, acknowledged the fact that sexual passion may be revelatory, and complimented Madonna for glorifying ideologies of female subjectivity and womanhood in the song. Positive reviews also came from contemporary music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from Allmusic called the track "haunting" and felt that it displayed a commanding sense of Madonna's songcraft. According to "Rolling Stone"s Gavin Edwards, it sounded glorious and "is the most transgressive—and the most irresistible" song of Madonna's career.
Like a Prayer (song) Prayer" debuted on the ARIA Singles Chart at number three on March 19, 1989. The next week it reached the top of the chart, and stayed there for another four weeks. It was present for a total of 22 weeks on the chart, and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for shipment of 70,000 copies of the single. "Like a Prayer" was also the top-selling single in Australia in 1989. In New Zealand, the song had a similar run as in Australia, by debuting at number three on the RIANZ Singles Chart, and reaching number one