Chanel Haynes of the band Trin-i-tee 5:7 has released her solo debut album, Trin-i-tee 5:7 According To Chanel. The album includes 12 tracks and features the signature contemporary Gospel sound Trin-i-tee 5:7 fans have loved over the years, but now with a blossoming Chanel on all lead vocals as a solo artist, showcasing her unique sound and musical creativity.

"Every song on this CD comes from a joyful or memorable time in my life," explained Chanel. "Songs like 'Masterful,' 'Believe,' and 'You,' are all songs that are carved right out of my heart and soul. Each song only has one word as its title because I wanted to make sure that the focus is where it's supposed to be: on the music and lyric." One of the standout songs on the project is "Prayer," and I had the chance to speak with Chanel about the song.

Please tell me the personal story behind writing this song.

It's unfortunately common to go into church or an environment and pray to God and it is so impersonal. It's a speech many times. It's making sure we are articulate and trying to be perfect before we go to the Throne.

To be very honest, my prayers aren't as perfect as people may think they should be. I wanted the opportunity to express and have people hear what my prayers to God sound like with this song. It is honest. I believe real relationships have many facets. Sometimes you are excited and in love. Other times you are disappointed or frustrated. You question others' love for you. All of those things happen in very real relationships. I feel like my relationship with God is very honest and genuine, and I have a lot of those same emotions. I express them in this song.

There was a very personal experience where I felt completely abandoned by God. I considered the Bible God's love letters to me filled with promises, and this beautiful place He wants me to go to, Heaven. It has all of these beautiful writings, and I was in a place where I was questioning all of those promises and didn't feel like God was with me. Then, I remembered the times that God has come through for me. That is the process of my prayers sometimes. The song came from an honest and very vulnerable place.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Matthew 6:9-13 (MSG): "The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and He knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in heaven, Reveal who You are. Set the world right; Do what's best—as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with You and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You're in charge! You can do anything You want! You're ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes."

What is the takeaway message?

I would like this song to be an example to people who may be intimidated when it is time to pray. They may feel like they don't pray like other people. Of course, the ultimate example of what a prayer should be was given to us by Jesus in the Lord's Prayer. This song is my prayer.

I feel there is definitely a need for different Bible translations since we come from so many different backgrounds. The number one key is to make sure the Word of God is relatable and processed. Many times I will read something in King James and then read The Message and really understand. A perfect example is that the definition of sin is simply "missing the mark." I remember when that first came to me I had a whole different understanding of sin. When you find the translation, you understand that it just means to miss the mark. Someone recently asked me if I sin. I miss the mark all the time. The goal is to hit the mark and get back on track. I try to do that every day.

I'm a huge animated Disney movie fan, and I recently watched the animated "Robin Hood" movie where he is competing for the hand of Maid Marian. As he was shooting for the target, the guy who was cheating made Robin Hood miss the mark with his first shot, and then he took out another arrow and hit the tip of the first arrow to redirect it so it hit the mark. So many times, that's how I feel. You are aiming to hit the mark, but you are all over the place. It's okay. Keep trying and you'll get it right. We are flawed and imperfect, but we serve a perfect God. I rest in that.

Lyrics:
Where are You when I needed you most?
I feel lost with no place I can go.
Wishing You were here with me tonight.
You promised me You'd be by my side.
I'll be honest my faith is at its low
And I know You've come through for me before.
I know I go back and forth when I pray.

My walls have gone
Now Lord, have Your way.

So I run to You.
Only you can breathe into this heart of mine.
Set it free with wings to fly.
Father hear my prayer now (Father hear my prayer)

I have nothing if I don't have You.
You're my reason, You're my song, You're my truth.
I'll forever turn my faith toward You.
Restore my joy Lord
Please make, make me new, oh yeah

So I run to You (I run I run to You)
Only You can breathe into this heart of mine.
Set it free with wings to fly.
Father hear my prayer now (Father hear my prayer)

I grow tired
I grow weak
But I place my life
It's all in Your hands
I live for You
I'll stand for You
And Lord, through it all

I run to You
Lord, I need You
Oh my God
Oh my, my God

As I listened to Chanel's album, there were several songs I wanted to know more about, but when I got to this song, I knew it was the song I should feature for a devotional. In the context of her album, this song has a universal accessibility where regardless of your taste in music you can sing and pray along with Chanel these words.

One of the beautiful aspects of this behind the song ministry is getting to really dig deeply into the different ways that people express their faith to God. What that looks like and how that is shaped is a picture of the Kingdom of God. We are all united in our struggles and spiritual warfare, and in our desire for Truth and relationship. The Lord wants us to spend time with Him every day. This song is a great reminder to spend time reading His Word, The Holy Bible, and to have a relationship with Him in prayer. Jesus modeled how to pray in the Lord's Prayer.

I loved Chanel's reference of the scene in the animated "Robin Hood" movie where at first he misses the mark with his arrow, but then shoots another arrow and hits the mark. That's a great picture of the Christian life. We have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory. He knows that. His desire is for us to admit those shortfalls to Him in prayer and supplication and pray to Him sincerely and with vulnerability like in this song. We know "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9-NASB).

That's how we hit the mark and get to be with Him forever in Heaven. That's something worth singing about. If you are looking for the words to pray to God, join Chanel in singing "You're my reason, You're my song, You're my truth. I'll forever turn my faith toward You. Restore my joy Lord Please make, make me new." Amen to that!


Get the song on iTunes here.