Best Slow & Powerful Worship Songs For 2022

Anyone who has led worship or attended a modern church service knows that there are way more slow worship songs than fast ones.

Even though slow worship songs are fairly easy to come across, I thought I would put together a list of some of my favorites, a lot like I did for fast worship songs.

I chose songs that I think would work well and be easy to play for worship leaders and teams who are serving in their local church.

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Slower songs are so popular because they give the congregation a chance to rest in Christ’s presence. The Holy Spirit seems to dwell in slower songs in a different, more intimate way compared to upbeat music.

There’s also an unexplained power hiding within many slow worship songs. Some songs start off very laid back — but then you get to the middle of the song and suddenly there’s unstoppable power coming from the midst of the worshipers. It’s hard to explain but very real.

While there is a place for all tempos and styles in today’s church services, here are some slow songs that will ignite an attitude of power and worship in your church or youth group.

Jireh. Artist: Elevation & Maverick City. CCLI #7164826

I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it. Surprisingly, even though it was released in early 2021, I don’t see it on CCLI’s top 100 list yet. But it will get there in 2022. The song is simple enough for congregations to learn, but it’s not so simple that it’s uncreative, like many worship songs today. This will bless your church and you personally as well.

Old Church Basement. Artist: Elevation & Maverick City. CCLI #7171577

I was really excited about this song but V2 is based on such a specific personal story that it may not work in a congregational setting. Still, it’s one to listen to and use for personal worship times. Oh yeah, the personal story is this (verse 2) We got together every Wednesday night / About 30 teenagers / My friend Josh bought a cheap guitar and barely knew how to play it. I love the creativity, and it seriously breaks the mold of the standard cliche worship song. In fact, it almost perfectly describes how I started: in a church basement with about 30 teenagers. Love it. But not everyone had this experience (especially those in the congregation singing) and even fewer had a friend Josh who bought a cheap guitar. Anyway, at its core, it’s a fantastic song for many purposes but perhaps not to lead in a congregational setting.

Talking to Jesus. Artist: Elevation & Maverick City. CCLI #7171559

Ok ok, I know, I’m mentioning the 3rd Elevation/Maverick song in a row now so I’ll stop. Maybe. The reason I’m mentioning so many of their songs is that they are experimenting and breaking the mold of what a worship song is. I love that, because personally if I hear one more song about mountains, valleys, how great, etc., I might lose all hope that worship songwriters are capable of contributing anything of meaning or substance to worship music. Elevation/Maverick City are writing from very personal experience. Sometimes the lyrics are so personal that they don’t make sense for corporate worship. Still, I like what they are trying to do: bring a new song to the Lord. You’ll see what I’m talking about when you hear this one.

Too Good to Not Believe. Artist: Cody Carnes. CCLI #7174874

Cody Carnes is another artist who is pushing the boundaries of worship music. When you hear the beginning of this song, you’ll assume it’s just another solid song. But then you get the bridge. And then Carnes makes you stop and analyze how real your own faith is. Here’s what he says: I’ve seen cancer disappear / I’ve seen broken bodies healed / Don’t you tell me He can’t do it. Ok this is where I have to stop and say, before I sing this, is this true for me? Well, so far so good. I have seen cancer disappear (my mom) and broken bodies healed (many examples). But wait, there’s more. I’ve seen real life resurrection / I’ve seen mental health restored. Carnes just raised the stakes. Exactly how real is my faith? I personally haven’t seen a resurrection. So I might skip this line if I sang it in front of a congregation. I believe I have seen mental health restored, so all good there. But then Carnes follows with I’ve seen families reunited / I’ve seen prodigals return / I’ve seen troubled souls delivered / I’ve seen addicts finally freed. Yep, I’ve personally witnessed all of these. This song is unique, creative, and everything that makes a great worship song. But you have to think about whether you would use it for corporate worship. Even if you have seen all the things mentioned, many worshipers in your church have not. By using it as a worship song, you are suggesting people sing something that may not be true for them. So while I love the song for personal worship and as a creative work, I’m not sure that I would use it in a congregational setting. But feel free to use it if you feel led to do so. If nothing else, it will get those in the congregation to think about how their faith is or isn’t being made real for the lives around them.

The Blessing. Artist: Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes. CCLI #7147007

I was curious whether this song was a direct quote of scripture: “May His favor be upon you / And a thousand generations / And your family and your children / And their children. Well, TheBereanTest.com points out that this section of the song is based on a few verses: Exodus 20:6, Deuteronomy 7:9, and Psalm 103:17-18. The Deuteronomy reference says “Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments (NASB95). So not an exact quote but this song certainly captures the essence of these passages.

I’m Listening. Artist: Chris McClarney. CCLI #7107534

I’m a big fan on Chris McClarney for his talent for putting together songs that are easy for congregations to learn, yet still fun for worship leaders. I’ve enjoyed leading this song at my church with my daughter, since it’s a fantastic male/female duet with lead parts and harmonies for both. A great one for male/female co-leaders.

Promises. Artist: Maverick City Music feat. Joe L Barnes and Naomi Raine. CCLI #7149439

Barnes and Raine are not just singers but true worship leaders. From the first note, they embark on a ten-minute journey that will leave you breathless. Listen to it all the way through. You won’t be the same.

Holy Water. Artist: We The Kingdom. CCLI #7136448. Album: Live At The Wheelhouse

This is a band that you’ll want to watch in 2021. Holy Water is not just a catchy tune, it’s a powerful worship tune that will work in youth groups or adult services. It walks the line between fast and slow, and could be placed in a variety of spots within the worship set. Let me know what you think of this song and band in the comments at the bottom of this post.

Graves Into Gardens. Artist: Elevation feat. Brandon Lake. CCLI #7138219

Well, this is technically a slow song, but don’t be surprised if you’re out of your seat and moving by the end. Brandon Lake brings down the house with his heartfelt worship leading and powerful, authoritative voice.

Champion. Artist: Elevation feat. Dante Bowe. CCLI #7130941.

We all hope in different things but only one Person is worthy of all our hope: our Champion — the one who will never let us down.

Way Maker. Artist: Sinach. CCLI #7115744.

This is one of those songs that unexpectedly takes the world by storm. Nearly every worship band and major Christian artist has covered it by now, and it will continue its rise in 2021. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a farming town in Iowa or urban Los Angeles, or London, England or Lagos, Nigeria. Your church will worship like never before when you play it.

Christ Be Magnified. Artist: Cody Carnes. CCLI #7139866.

I almost left this one off the list because I felt it was cliche. However, there’s a place for songs that are familiar-sounding and easy to learn. Your church needs a mix of songs that push the limits of creativity and ones that are more accessible. This falls into the “accessible” category. If you do it at your church, let me know if the congregation picks it up quickly.

Egypt. Artist: Cory Asbury. CCLI #7133348.

Speaking of songs that push the limits of creativity, I had to check this song out just because of the title “Egypt.” Cory Asbury is one of the most dynamic songwriters/worship leaders today, and this song is more proof of that. It compares the salvation of the sinner with Israel’s deliverance out of Egypt. I love a good metaphor. While a little on the edgy side, this song could work well in many churches.

Never Lost. Artist: Elevation feat. Israel Houghton. CCLI #7134788.

Israel Houghton and Elevation worship team up to bring you a soulful, moving song that will encourage your church.

Surrounded (Fight My Battles). Artist: Elyssa Smith. CCLI #7098758 Album: Moments

I think what I love about this song the most is that it was written and performed by a seemingly plain and ordinary worship leader. She doesn’t jump around, wear the latest sneakers, or seem to care much what she looks like at all. But what she does care about is worshiping the living God in a powerful way. If you think you can never be a worship leader because you’re not a charismatic band leader, take some notes from Elyssa Smith.

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Be Strong. Artist: Jon Egan. CCLI #6223670. Album: Unveil

I would suggest listening to the whole album “Unveil” because it has a number of gems like this one. Jon Egan doesn’t just deliver a great worship album, but a spirit-filled worship service. Turn it on at home and you’ll feel like you’re in the room with him worshiping.

Be Thou My Vision. Artist: Audrey Assad. CCLI #7056332. Album: Inheritance

Audrey Assad’s version of Be Thou My Vision has become my favorite rendition of this song ever. I encourage you to check out her entire album of hymns.

Good Grace. Artist: Hillsong. CCLI #7122177. Album: People

This is a rare stripped-down song by worship artists known for their world-class production. But don’t let the acoustic feel of the song fool you. This song gets loud and powerful. It would be a great song to end a worship time. Start low and build it to get everyone excited for the rest of service.

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Hallelujah For The Cross. Artist: Chris McClarney. CCLI #7107551. Album: Breakthrough

From the writer of one of my personal favorites “God of Miracles” comes another powerful medium-tempo worship song. Chris McClarney delivers another vehicle for true worship. It could serve as a great Good Friday / Easter song in 2021. Enjoy!

Speak The Name. Artist: Koryn Hawthorne. CCLI #7096041. Album: Unstoppable

This isn’t exactly new, but it’s worth mentioning here because it is such a powerful song. And this Dove Awards performance will inspire you to introduce the song at your church.

Run To The Father. Artist: Cody Carnes CCLI #7133494. Album: Way Maker

I just love the lyrics of this song “My heart needs a surgeon / My soul needs a friend / So I run to the Father again and again”. More worship songwriters need to push the envelope on what lyrics “should” be in a worship song. Forget “Great are you Lord” and “We honor you.” While those are great lyrics, they are overused. Today’s worshipers are looking for worship that is in spirit and in truth — as evidenced by unconventional lyrics that display our heart towards God and God’s toward us. Enjoy this fantastic example of a new breed of worship song.

What is Worship Deeper?

Well, this is a short list of the best slow worship songs that churches are singing currently.

But these are just my favorites. I’d love to hear what which songs have worked in your church or youth group. Leave your comments below and if I like your suggestions I’ll add them to this list.

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Featured image by Stefanus Martanto Setyo Husodo