California Dreamin

That's my answer too. It's simple. But he gives it away by saying "pretend to pray". To bring in the concept of "begin to pray" suggests either a religious reason, or real deception.

Gives what away?

...that he went into the church because it was warm...

That's right. Don't get confused.

I get more and more confused. Gives it away?

The singer/writer isn't trying to hide anything; he has no reason to try to hide anything. He was cold, he goes into a church because it's warm, he kneels and pretends to pray so that he'll look normal in the church, he wishes he were in California.

Ah, we in sunny Singapore can only dream of snow..........................

I always just thought he went into the church because he was cold! He pretended to pray so he could stay longer in the church. I was going to link to a youtube video but realised VinnyD had already linked the same version.

Potentially you could argue that the line The preacher liked the cold because it encouraged people to go in and pray. Which also could even explain why there is a debate between 'pretend' and 'begin'. For instance, did the person in the song actually pray? Went in because it was cold and ended up praying.

The song notes that "I'd be safe and warm, if I was in LA". The song starts with imagery of solitude and being alone and then in the church envokes the idea of both safety and warmth.

I''ve always been more curious about the line If I didn't tell her, I could leave today. Whereas much of the song is more straightforward it makes a listener wonder who "her" is. And what isn't being said to her.

But yeah, I think the person was just cold and homesick and went in to get warm.