Those familiar with her debut release, “I Choose Jesus,” will recognize her distinctive vocals and be delighted by her musical evolution. Co-producers Seth Mosley (Newsboys, Audio Adrenaline) and Joel Smallbone (For King & Country) closely collaborated with Moriah in creating a musical experience that is an artful blend of theatrical string lines, dynamic percussion, and pulsating synth sounds all seamed together by unforgettable Pop melodies.
The theme of the album is passionately articulated in the title track, “BRAVE.” The notion of bravery came to Moriah while on a writing getaway, in a cabin just an hour from her California home. After two fruitless days, the simple solitary word, “BRAVE” came to her, igniting an inward journey of self exploration. In the process of realizing and facing her fears, Moriah understood that the songs produced over the next year were meant to inspire beyond her. By choosing to open and close the album with Brave, the latter track featuring a guest rap by Andy Mineo, Moriah is issuing a call to arms. Moriah declares, “this is the soundtrack to the battles I fight in my own life.”
The past year and a half has been marked by circumstances that have challenged Moriah’s faith. Just out of her teenage years, Moriah had to confront the challenges of balancing her personal life with the demanding schedule of her and Joel’s separate touring schedules. She asked herself, “With all of the demands of a music career, could I be a good wife? Would our marriage survive the difficulties of being on the road?” The fear and doubt of her own inadequacies brought her to an extended time of fasting. There she discovered the strength in God to help her be BRAVE in balancing her career and her marriage. “Marrying Joel was the most beautiful day of my life. And every day since then has confirmed that we were made for each other.”
Soon after their marriage, while on tour, Moriah became very ill and was hospitalized. “The doctors initially believed that I might have leukemia, and that scared me in a way I’d never been scared before.” After days of prayer, doctors diagnosed her illness as an unknown virus that currently remains a mystery. “I learned a valuable lesson during those moments when I didn’t have strength to speak. Life can’t be taken for granted, not matter what your age. I also understood that fear and faith often come in a package. Choosing faith is an act of bravery. It’s a decision. I left my emotions to God. That’s the essence of Brave.”
After spending time touring over the last couple years and talking face to face and over social networks with fans, Moriah has a lot of empathy for what her fans struggle with today. “So many of the people I talk to are a lot like me. They are fearful, doubtful about lots of things. I wanted to write a song that personified fear so that we could see it and speak to it, to let it know that it would not control us. “Oh Fear” is my ‘letter to the devil,’ that he will not have his way, that I will choose faith over fear.” Moriah extended the ethos of this song to the powerful drum driven track, “Stand Strong.” Moriah’s hope is to encourage those persecuted for their faith, here and around the world, to hold fast and persevere. “I know that the persecution I experienced pales in comparison with what others face around the world, but I will never forget the moments of ‘social persecution’ I felt in my high school from teachers and students who vehemently disagreed with my faith. These were defining times for me. I learned to love those who rejected my faith while never backing down in what I knew was true.”
The struggle will never end, but Moriah is learning that victory and blessing come from release. “‘To Leave It All Behind’ was the first song Joel and I wrote together after becoming engaged.” The song is a creative, dynamic pop piece originating from Moriah’s internal decree to release all her plans for the future while falling into the hands of a loving God. “It was our way of stepping into a new world—a place where I wouldn’t have to fight the fear of vulnerability by myself”
Moriah finds connection with the famous “Footprints in the Sand” poem which became the creative impetus for her first single, “You Carry Me.” “I want others to know that sometimes trials are often just about focus. When I feel like I’m sinking and all alone, I know my focus isn’t on God anymore. ‘You Carry Me’ is a celebration song, a reminder to look back on the difficult times God brought us through. He promises that He will never leave or forsake us!”
BRAVE is an opening into the heart and mind of an artist who is not afraid to expose that fear has had its way and time. But more importantly, it is a renunciation of what was for the embrace of what will be. Moriah believes she is part of a generation whose time has come to break free of what prevents them from changing this world, a generation that has been called to be BRAVE!
To Leave It All Behind
Moriah Peters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is how I learn to trust
I was numb, I was blind
Then You opened up my eyes
Caught a glimpse of Your grace
And I'm sure I heard You say
Pack your bags, Take your cross
I can feel beat for the first time
And I stand alone for the last time
Now I know love costs my whole life
But my heart's all in and it's all right
To leave it all behind
I'm not afraid
I'm unashamed
I won't wait
To leave it all behind
To leave it all
Take a leap
And all of me
I believe
Is worth the sacrifice
To leave it all behind
In the joy in the hurt
For better or for worse
I'm not scared anymore
It feels like I've been reborn
So with open hands I confess
That You have this day and all the rest
I'm bought by blood You paid my price
My heart's all in and it's all right
To leave it all behind
I'm not afraid
I'm unashamed
I won't wait
To leave it all behind
To leave it all
Take a leap
And all of me
I believe
Is worth the sacrifice
To leave it all behind
I'll lose it all
To gain it all
No turning back
No turning
I'll lose it all
To gain it all
No turning back
I'm ready
To leave it all behind
I'm not afraid
I'm unashamed
I won't wait
To leave it all behind
To leave it all
Take a leap
And all of me
I believe
Is worth the sacrifice
To leave it all behind
To leave it all behind
To leave it all
Take a leap
And all of me
I believe
Is worth the sacrifice
To leave it all behind
And if I should fall You'll catch me
And if I should fall You'll catch me
And if I should fall You'll catch me
And if I should fall You'll catch me
The lyrics of Moriah Peters's song To Leave It All Behind speak of a transformation and a decision to devote one's life to God. The singer describes how she was once "numb" and "blind" until she caught a glimpse of God's grace and opened herself up to his guidance. The song describes the process of discovering faith and the willingness to make sacrifices in order to follow God's path.
The lyrics also convey a sense of fearlessness and commitment to God's calling. The singer declares that she is "not afraid" and that she is "unashamed" to leave behind everything she once knew in order to follow God's path. The chorus repeats the phrase "to leave it all behind" as a declaration of the singer's willingness to make sacrifices and devote her entire being to God's will.
Line by Line Meaning
This is life, This is love
These are the things I have learned to appreciate through my relationship with God
This is how I learn to trust
Through life and love, I have learned how to trust in God's plan for me
I was numb, I was blind
Before my relationship with God, I was spiritually dead and unable to see the truth
Then You opened up my eyes
God's grace allowed me to see the beauty and truth of His love
Caught a glimpse of Your grace
I was able to see a small piece of God's unfailing love and mercy
And I'm sure I heard You say
I felt God's voice telling me what I needed to do next
Pack your bags, Take your cross
God wants me to leave behind my old life and take up the cross of following Him
Count everything as loss
Everything I thought was valuable before is now worthless compared to the joy of following God
I can feel beat for the first time
I have discovered the joy of truly being alive through my relationship with God
And I stand alone for the last time
With God by my side, I know I am never truly alone again
Now I know love costs my whole life
Following God requires my complete devotion and sacrifice
But my heart's all in and it's all right
Despite the cost, I am fully committed to following God because it brings me great joy and peace
To leave it all behind
I am willing to give up everything to follow God's calling for my life
I'm not afraid
With God by my side, I have no reason to fear what lies ahead
I'm unashamed
I am proud to be a follower of God and am not ashamed of my faith
I won't wait
I am eager to follow God's plan for my life and will not delay
Take a leap
I am willing to take a risk and trust God's plan for my life
And all of me
I am willing to give every part of myself to follow God
I believe
I have faith that God's plan for my life is good and will bring me true joy
Is worth the sacrifice
No matter what the cost, following God is worth it in the end
In the joy in the hurt
Through both the good times and the bad, God is with me and I can find joy in that
For better or for worse
God is with me in all circumstances, whether they are good or bad
It feels like I've been reborn
Through my relationship with God, I feel like I have been given a new life
So with open hands I confess
I am willing to surrender everything to God and trust in His plan for my life
That You have this day and all the rest
I trust that God is in control of every day of my life
I'm bought by blood You paid my price
Through His death on the cross, Jesus paid the price for my sins and gave me eternal life
I'll lose it all
I am willing to give up everything for the sake of following God
To gain it all
Through giving up everything, I will gain eternal life with God
No turning back
Once I have committed to following God, there is no turning back
I'm ready
I am fully prepared and committed to following God's plan for my life
And if I should fall You'll catch me
I trust that God will always be there to pick me up when I fall
Writer(s): Moriah Peters Copyright: Kissless Publishing, Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing
Contributed by Landon C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Melanie Garib
All of Moriah's music still continues to bless my heart after all these years!❤️
Chan Joyner
This song speak volumes, leave it all behind to follow Christ. Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.
Candace Coker
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVEEE this song!!!! This entire album just ministers to me right now. It's like reading my mind and encouraging me. Such a blessing <3
Jasmine Benesh
I met her in real life! she is amazing!
Marie Chacon
This is one of the most amazing songs i have ever heard!!! great :)
anthony jarencio
I Love this song 😊
Janelle Krist
love all of these songs ! i want the album!
Apollo9898LPs
I really love this whole album :)
Alixia
Keep going strong in the lord. Your songs are so inspiring. Thank you for sharing your voice.
aaronz productions
Amen I love this song