Lord, prepare me
To be a sanctuary
Pure and holy
Tried and true
With thanksgiving
I'll be a living
Sanctuary
For You, one more time
Lord, prepare me
To be a sanctuary
Pure and holy
Tried and true
And with thanksgiving
I'll be a living
Sanctuary
For You
CeCe Winans - More Than This // Sanctuary (Official Video)
Sanctuary Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
CeCe Winans presents the song "Sanctuary" within the context of her "More Than This // Sanctuary (Official Video)" released on April 26, 2024. This version is featured alongside "More Than This," offering a moment of focused devotion. The performance within the video highlights the simple yet profound nature of the song's message.
The lyrics of "Sanctuary" convey a deep personal prayer or commitment. The central request is for God to "prepare me to be a sanctuary." This expresses a desire for internal purity and holiness, described as "pure and holy," and a readiness to be tested and proven, denoted by "tried and true." The aspiration is to become a "living sanctuary for You," signifying that the individual's life, offered with thanksgiving, becomes a dwelling place or sacred space dedicated to God.
The theme of the believer as a sanctuary or temple echoes several passages in the Bible. For instance, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 speaks of believers' bodies being temples of the Holy Spirit, bought with a price and thus to be used to glorify God. Similarly, Romans 12:1 encourages believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is their spiritual worship. These verses parallel the song's call to be a "living sanctuary" that is pure, holy, tried, and true, representing a life consecrated to God's purpose and presence.