Lyrics Page
The Altar
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Aug 26, 2026 updated
Verified editorial review
Nichole Nordeman's 'The Altar' is a raw, honest prayer of surrender and desperation. The singer admits to being at the end of her own strength, having dropped out of the race and feeling lost. She asks God to make her new, to take what's left of her, and to set her free from fear. Acknowledging that she has prayed these prayers before, she returns to the altar, offering her brokenness without any bargaining chips. The song captures the humility of coming to God with nothing to offer but need, trusting in His grace to renew and redeem.
Lyrics Verified by Editorial Team
I'm at the end of myself
I just dropped out of the running
I don't recall when I last pulled the shades and said
"Here comes the sun, here comes the new day"
Someone remind me again that joy might show up on occasion
I'm sitting here with my hands on my head
And my eyes on the ground, wondering if I'll be found by You
Will you make me new? Will you take what's left of me?
I guarantee that it won't be a fair trade
Will you set me free from what's keeping me afraid?
I know I've prayed it all before but I'm back on the altar
I don't believe what they say about one foot in front of the other
If my life was a map, you'd see every last step just circling around
Still lost, never found by You
So will you make me new? Will you take what's left of me?
I guarantee that it won't be a fair trade
Will you set me free from what's keeping me afraid?
I know I've prayed it all before but I'm back on the altar
Maybe last year I'd have made empty promises
Maybe last month I'd have tried to pull strings
But I don't have one single chip left to bargain with
The only thing left is me needing You to make me new
Will you take what's left of me?
I guarantee that it won't be a fair trade
Will you set me free from what's keeping me afraid?
I know I've prayed it all before but I'm back on the altar