The Light Is On

Track #10: “The Light Is On” is the perfect benediction for Praise Anyway. It’s gentle, warm, gospel-soaked, and heartfelt — an invitation, a welcome, and a healing balm for the weary. After the emotional journey of the album, this song offers listeners the most tender message of all: no matter how far you've gone, or how long you've been away, you can still come home.

In her own life, Mandisa spoke vulnerably about how grief and shame isolated her — how she pulled away from God, the church, and people who loved her. But what drew her back wasn't judgment or correction — it was grace that waited patiently.

This song is written from that place — like the father in the Prodigal Son story, or the mother waiting on the porch, porch light glowing through the night. It's not a dramatic altar call, but a soul-level "you're still wanted."

It closes the album with compassion and open arms, embodying the heart of Jesus for the lost, the doubting, the ashamed — and those on their way back.

Arc Overview

In the arc for the album through grief → healing → joy → purpose completes the offer to the listener of: hope and invitation.

Lyrics

Verse 1
You’ve been walking in the dark so long
Wearing silence like a chain
Every step feels like a question mark
And every prayer, a cry in vain

But you’re not too far, you’re not too late
There’s mercy waiting at the gate

Chorus
The light is on
The door’s unlocked
There’s a place for you
No matter what
The table’s set
Jesus stands
With open arms and nail-scarred hands
You haven’t missed your chance to come
The light is on

Verse 2
I know the shame you’ve tried to hide
The weight you carry all alone
But grace don’t care how long you’ve run
It only wants to bring you home

So don’t let fear make you delay
There’s still a welcome on the way

Chorus
The light is on
The fire’s still warm
He’s been waiting since the storm
No need to fix what He can heal
No need to fake what’s truly real
The scars you’ve earned are not too strong
To keep you gone — the light is on

Bridge (3X)
Come home, come home
You were never disowned
Come home, come home
You don’t have to walk alone

Final Chorus
The light is on
The welcome stands
Love is reaching out again
Come take your seat, come rest awhile
You’ve been missed, and you’ve been found
No matter how the night has gone
The light is on...
The light is on...

Themes

• Grace and return
• Healing of shame
• The love of the Father
• Gentle encouragement and spiritual hospitality