The other day I heard a new song by contemporary Christian music artist Phil Wickham called Battle Belongs.
I needed to hear that song that day. It took all my anxious thoughts about our country and organized them neatly into lyrics and music notes. It allowed me for a moment to feel a little part of Heaven right here on earth.
The song uplifted my spirit and my soul to where it should always be — praising the God before me and letting him take the reigns of my life.
I wrote about giving God my battles — the ones I was facing at that time — in May of 2016. I cringe to think I put the word “mask” in there, particularly now in 2021 where face masks are a symbol of control and compliance; a time where it is forbidden in my state to open your mouth and sing at church.
Nonetheless, this prayer still speaks to me today, a time when struggles and battles continue:
God, your timing is perfect.
Reign in my imperfect thoughts; reshape them into your artistic expression.
Sever the bitter roots and tangy vines the enemy plants to incite division.
Surface the dross in my heart — control, envy, impatience, pride — and rid my mask of reproach.
Set my mind free so I can live in the Spirit rather than dwell in my failures.
Your message to your faithful ones tells of a calm and spacious place that is always available to us.
I can know you are working in my life, building a bridge from heartbreak to healing with a promise to prosper on the other side.
It will take full trust in you, a daily pouring out of myself, and true forgiveness of others for my sake to mend my deceived heart.
But I am committed, because I know that you are the only one who can bring light into this darkness.
I look to your words again; I hear them down deep inside.
I trust you to fight my battles once again.
