Multiple Dove Award-winning singer, songwriter and worship leader Michael Boggs releases his first solo offering in seven years, "Have Mercy," today (Aug. 20). Available at all major digital retailers and streaming outlets worldwide, the confessional ballad brims with honest self-reflection and sincere repentance. In the song, Boggs simultaneously exposes and owns his envy, privilege and selfishness, pleading with God to extend His grace amidst humanity's missteps.

"There's not a ton of songs in the worship world that are corporate confessions. We sing a lot about three categories: the glory of God, the gravity of sin and the grandeur of grace. That's needed and healthy, but we don't sing a lot of confession songs," Boggs offers of the transparent track he co-wrote with Josh Nichols. "And so we just thought, 'what would it sound like if we were to confess our own shortcomings and misgivings?'"

"Have Mercy" does just that, with listeners seemingly eavesdropping on a private prayer. While he realizes confession often has a negative connotation attached to it, Boggs concedes that confession is a bridge to the Father.

"It's the one thing that restores communion with God, so why would we be afraid of something that brings God closer, not further away?" he insists. "Although it's sometimes brutal to look in the mirror of your own confession, the Lord isn't afraid of it. So hopefully this song invites people to come a little bit closer to the Lord through confession."

NewReleaseToday.com-premiered the acoustic version of "Have Mercy" this week.

Approaching every facet of ministry with the same authenticity heard on "Have Mercy," Boggs has learned to hold the tension of the various streams of his career. Whether he's stewarding a song or leading people in worship, Boggs is simply putting one foot in front of the other. It's what he's done every step of the way along his journey-ever since he decided to take a leap of faith, move to Nashville and preach with lyric and melody.

"The way I view it, I'm a pastor, and music is a tool in my tool belt. But I think at the end of the day, I'm a shepherd," Boggs reasons. "The idea of being a pastor is more appealing to me than being an artist. And I think you can be both. In fact, we need more artists in the church, not simply in the conventional music lane, but just creatives in general."

Dove Award-nominated this year for "Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year" for his co-write "If God Pulled Back the Curtain" recorded by Nelons, all the latest Michael Boggs news, tour dates and more can be found at https://michaelboggs.com/, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Spotify and Apple Music.