Lay It Down

Bonus Track: “Lay It Down” is the soulful surrender song at the heart of Praise Anyway. After the realization of God’s unseen faithfulness in “What I Didn’t See,” this song is where Mandisa's character fully responds — not with forced positivity, but with open-handed faith. It’s the moment of letting go, not because she has everything figured out, but because God can carry what she can’t.

This track is rooted in Mandisa’s real-life experiences of holding onto grief, shame, guilt, and the weight of trying to stay strong. In interviews, she often talked about how hard it was to admit weakness, to ask for help, and to truly let go of control.

“Lay It Down” reflects that deeply human struggle — the voice of someone who’s tried carrying everything alone and finally decides to bring it all to the feet of Jesus. It’s not a neat surrender — it’s messy, tear-streaked, and holy.

This would be a powerful moment in the live show, where the audience could be invited to join in a personal act of release.

Arc Overview

In the arc for the album through grief → healing → joy → purpose this track sits at the offer of hope and invitation simultaneously reaching back to the process of loss and surrender.

Lyrics

Verse 1
I’ve carried shame like it belonged
Held every burden far too long
I thought I had to be the strong one
But I was breaking all along

I kept the tears behind the smile
I wore my hurt like Sunday style
But grace was waiting at the door
When I fell down, too tired for more

Chorus
So I lay it down
All the pain I’ve pressed
The fear I’ve dressed
In pretty-sounding prayers
I lay it down
Every silent scream
Every broken dream
That no one ever sees
I don’t have to hold it now
I can lay it down

Verse 2
I used to think I had to earn
Your love, Your help, Your heart’s concern
But You’ve been chasing me with mercy
Long before I turned

So here’s the weight I couldn’t name
Here’s every wound I tried to tame
Here’s the guilt that’s overstayed—
I give it to You now, unchained

Chorus
I lay it down
Every grudge I kept
Every restless step
That led me to despair
I lay it down
What I thought was strength
What I feared was shame
And all the masks I wear
You don't need me cleaned up now
I can lay it down

Bridge
You never asked for perfect
You only asked for me
So here I am, wide open
On my knees, finally free

Final Chorus
So I lay it down
Every weight and wall
Every prideful fall
I bring it to the cross
I lay it down
Let Your mercy flood
Wash away the mud
You were always enough
I don’t have to carry doubt
I can lay it down
Yeah, I can lay it down

Themes

• Honest surrender
• Breaking the need to perform
• Emotional freedom in release
• God’s grace meeting weakness with welcome