Lyrics
Intro (Hymn Quote)
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Verse 1
The service is nearing an end
The choir is singing "Just as I Am"
And now as the old song is played
People at the altar are kneeling down to pray
Some are finding mercy
Forgiveness for their sins
Some are fighting battles
And they're struggling to win
The time has come to give them to the Lord
That's what this altar is for
Chorus
That's what this altar is for
You don't have to carry those burdens anymore
There's a light in the darkness
There's a love that's true
And Jesus is waiting
He is waiting here for you
Go quickly now before they close the door
That's what this altar is for
Verse 2
A father is praying with his son
Mother kneels beside them
Thanking God they've come
An old man is standing there in tears
Giving up a part of him that he's held back for years
Hearts are being broken
Lives are being changed
Those who call upon Him, they will never be the same
The time has come to give it to the Lord
That's what this altar is for
Chorus (Repeat)
Tag
Go quickly now before they close the door
And you can give your burdens to the Lord
That's what this altar is for...
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
"The Altar" builds around a single, recurring image, a church altar during a closing invitation, describing several individuals responding at once rather than focusing on one narrative alone. Opening with lines quoted directly from a well-known invitation hymn, the song ties its contemporary scene to a long tradition of altar calls sung at the close of a service.
Its verses describe a range of people kneeling for different reasons, seeking forgiveness, fighting internal battles, or releasing something held back for years, treating the altar as a shared destination for varied personal struggles. The image of a father praying alongside his son and a mother kneeling nearby extends that invitation across generations within a single family.
The chorus repeats a direct, urgent appeal, describing Jesus as actively waiting and urging quick response before an opportunity closes. Rooted in contemporary Southern gospel altar-call tradition, the song functions as an evangelistic invitation set to music, using the physical image of an altar to picture surrender as both available and time-sensitive.
Related Scripture
- Hebrews 4:16 Invites approaching God's throne of grace with confidence, echoed in the song's picture of people approaching the altar for mercy.
- Revelation 22:17 Invites anyone who is thirsty to come, echoed in the song's urgent call to come to the altar before the door closes.