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.
There’s 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.
Grace Greater. Artist: Travis Cottrell
Here’s a brand new one released in May 2022 that is essentially a modern hymn.
Thank You Jesus For The Blood. Artist: Charity Gayle
This song sums up the whole point of faith and life. It’s a powerful telling of Jesus’ sacrifice and gift.
Jireh. Artist: Elevation & Maverick City. CCLI #7164826
I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it. 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.
Honey in the Rock. Artist: Brooke Ligertwood.
A slow but soulful new song by Hillsong’s Brooke Ligertwood (What a Beautiful Name, Who You Say I Am). This could be a good medium-tempo song to introduce in your church.
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.
Miracle Power. Artist: We The Kingdom
Just released in 2022, you’ll probably be hearing this one a lot more soon.
Talking to Jesus. Artist: Elevation & Maverick City. CCLI #7171559
Ok ok, I know, I’m mentioning a lot of Elevation/Maverick songs in a row. The reason is that they are experimenting and breaking the mold of what a worship song is. 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 worship tune. 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 of 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 2022. 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.
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.
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.
>>Download powerful worship song MP3s here
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.
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.
>> Want to learn more about leading worship? Check out my new podcast: Worship Leader 101 – Click here! <<
Featured image by Stefanus Martanto Setyo Husodo
So inspiring…I was in d spirit like 30 minutes……bless God
These are beautiful songs, but they are all “slow praise” songs. None of them have lyrics about us expressing our emotions of adoration and love directly to God in first-person lyrics. Actual “worship” songs are tough to find these days because slow praise songs are so easy to write, and love songs directly sung to God are much more difficult to write. But, they are out there. But, this is not really a list of worship songs at all.
Can someone explain the correlation of Holy Water and forgiveness? As in one part we are singing about God’s Forgiveness…which is in the Bible…than tying it to something that is not even in the Bible. Very confusing.
Good point. While Holy Water is not in the Bible (except maybe when Jesus turned it into wine) I think as creative people of faith, we are challenged to find new ways of communicating biblical truth. This is a fine line and one that can cause all sorts of controversy. (Enter Reckless Love). The other things mentioned in the song that are like forgiveness are honey (biblical) and the sound of a symphony (kind of biblical, although more modern terminology than the Psalms use). So then they say holy water is another thing that is *like* forgiveness. If we’re using similes or metaphors, really almost anything can be *like* or compared to forgiveness. I could say a flower is like forgiveness because it’s refreshing. Not biblical, but that’s my perception. I don’t think God makes rules about comparing one thing to another in someone’s personal experience. So while it’s not exactly biblical, I think it is okay as a comparison in this context.
So inspiring songs
I see the grace of our lord jesus christ bretheren !!!
Love this blog! Totally refreshing.
May the Lord continue to bless and nourish you. Keep up the good work!
Truly,ive liked the list and the songs are so touching
God is really pround of you, thanks
Thank you for the list. I will now challenge you to compile a list of faster worship songs…..not so easy eh? I believe we’ve lost the art of ’ joy filled’ song writing. My friend if The Holy Spirit ‘dwells’ in a song (?) then He I very capable of ‘dwelling’ in a song with a higher bpm too.
So will you accept my challenge? I hope so.
May The Lord bless you.
Uh..challenge accepted and completed long before you asked. https://worshipdeeper.com/126/best-new-fast-praise-worship-songs/
I actually worked up a fast worship post prior to the slow worship post. It just takes looking in the top navigation a bit 🙂
Thank you for compiling the list. I am just a random guy looking for some cool gospel music to listen to. The list will be a good start for me.
I thank God for using gospel artists to convey His word through music.
yes
Special thanks to you all that is making use of ur time to create a songs that brings people’s hearts together to God,,, and with the narrative of each songs,,, May God give you all more wisdom to do than dis ……. Amen…
Nice songs here
I THANK GOD FOR ALL GOSPEL ARTIST HAVING EXPANDING GOD’S KINGDOM.
ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SONG IS “I WILL SING”
This is what i love mostly
Oh! Glory be to God forever more, am so blessed with these worship songs. Thank you
I’ve never seen so many pretty songs! I downloaded most of them! Thanks so much for sharing!!!! Awesome list!!!!!!
Very amazing and wonderful songs
I beg you please to send us these songs
You are blessed thanks
No longer slaves by David and Melissa Helser
So great to listen to such beautiful songs.
I think How Beautiful by Mosaic MSC and Tremble by Mosaic MSC. Both of those songs speak to me every single time I listen to them.
How about ‘No Longer Slaves’ by Jonathan David and Melissa Helser? That son is amazing and right up this street.
Your songs are blessing to my heart
Very amazing. thanks for taking your time to give the narratives. You are sooo blessed
@ Elaine Wong … the title of the page is …. SLOW WORSHIP SONGS.
To the owner of the page.. please don’t add more upbeat songs. Some of us visit this page for what it is – and it’s what we need.
Thanks 🙂
One of my favorites is O Praise the Name (Hillsong). This one is always so powerful.
blessed
Seasons Change by United Pursuit…not sung widely, but when I found it, I just wanted to hear this song sung at church.
Build My Life by Housefires. You’ll never get it out of your head. In a good way.
Mercy by Bethel.
Great list! [Thumbs up]
Thanks for sharing these! I’ll check them out!
Wow powerful worship songs, my new playlist now. You should also add Here Now (madness) by Hillsong
I’m saddened by the lack of diversity in many of the lists I’m coming across:(
Agreed. Would love to get your ideas for slow worship songs from a more diverse group of artists.
you should post well known songs here…. like Trust in you… a little up beat… some people like upbeat songs
As a worship geek, Hillsongs, Jesus culture and a few other groups have it for me. Anchor, Oceans have been the regularly but in this small local church I worship in Nigeria, the people don’t really connect with these songs save a few in their youth. By God’s grace I’ve realised this quite on time and I bring them relatively home with some south African worship chants! Of course some of these chants are more like a substitute for the Roy fields’ and Hillsongs chants. And why do I feel someone should listen to Malibogwe and also Qawe lama Qawe!
Also check out “Spirit of the Living God” by Vertical Church and “Place of Freedom” by Highlands Worship
We have done a lot of these in my youth group where I lead worship (Holy Spirit, We Believe, and Our God; and we are working on Come As You Are and Oceans). We have also done 10,000 Reasons (Matt Redman), One Thing Remains (Kristian Stanfill), God Of This City (Chris Tomlin), Arms Open Wide (Hillsong United), From The Inside Out (United), Revelation Song (Jesus Culture), The Wonderful Cross, How He Loves (David Crowder Band), and Shadows (David Crowder Band)