Life is difficult, and even if you have the best family, friends, and counselors to listen to you and support you, sometimes your mind and heart need a little something extra to bring healing and peace throughout the day. In addition to God’s Word, music is here to help you rest your mind with an overflow of aural encouragement.
Our ultimate healer is Jesus, John 14:27 Jesus is the giver of peace, as He teaches us in the verse, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you; I do not give it to you as the world gives; do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” Do you agree that music is a conduit for God’s peace? Most of the songs I suggest have been a source of support for my heart and mind in some way. We hope you enjoy these 12 Christian songs that will bring you healing and peace.
1. Call of Caedmon – Walk with Me
Caedmon’s Call was a huge musical influence on my life as a teenager. They have a folky, harmonious sound, and I once got to meet them at a pre-concert CD signing (sounds old, I know). This song in particular makes me feel like I’m walking through a storm with Jesus by my side. My favorite line from this song is: “Tell me a story. Where old things become new. Years of promise and all truth. When shadows fall and wrecking balls swing and tear my heart apart. Will you lead me to the still waters?”
2. CeCe Winans – You never have to be alone
I remember the first time I heard this song, and after the first time I listened to it five more times in a row. I don’t remember what I was going through that day, but this song made me feel more noticed than anything I’ve heard in a while. This song reminds us that we are not alone in our suffering and that healing and peace are just around the corner. As CeCe so beautifully sings, you must “…open your heart and allow Him to breathe again and calm the storm.”
3. Cory Asbury – Crash In
During one trip to the beach, I was really having a hard time and this song kept repeating in my ears as I stared at the ebb and flow of the ocean waves. I feel the breeze now and feel the Holy Spirit lift my worries away with the lyrics, “Nothing to gain, nothing to lose. Nothing to show, nothing to prove. The weight of the world falls off my shoulders as the weight of your love washes over me.” As summer begins, we recommend adding this song to your beach walk playlist.
4. Elevation Rhythm – Quiet
This song combines pop, synth, and tranquility. When I hear the lyrics, “I’ll just be quiet and let the silence speak,” I feel silence. Sometimes stillness is necessary to foster healing and peace. The great thing about this song is that it fits well into your car ride, workout, or downtime playlist.
5. Francesca Battistelli – I’m Letting Go
Some songs remind me of a particular season in my life, and this song is a perfect example of that for my life. I had just moved to a new town, and as I was driving my car and getting used to it, I had this song playing on my CD player and said to myself, “I’m letting go of the life and dreams I had planned for myself. I’m losing control of my destiny. I feel like I’m falling. That’s what it means to believe.” As I sit here now, I can feel the dreams and excited hopes of my youth. Listening to this song again brings me peace and reminds me to remain a hopeful woman who is still letting go.
6. Ginny Owens – If You Want Me To
This song was a huge hit of my youth, and 27 years after its debut, I still listen to it regularly. It’s a simple song with Ginny’s pure voice, minimal instrumentation other than a drum beat and a few keys on the piano, and it’s perfect. For many of us in need of peace in our current circumstances, this song brings just that: “When you lead me into a world that’s not my home, it may not have been the path I would choose. But you never said it would be easy. You just said I’d never go alone.” Some songs feel like prayers.
7. Hope Durst – Peace be Still
There are many variations of this song by different beautiful singers, but this is my favorite from Hope. Her voice is very clear and strong. When she sings, “…even if I can’t see, I’ll believe the voice that speaks,” you feel the rush of God’s presence. Her “Don’t be afraid” sounds like a mental reminder that we sing along to and say to ourselves. I pray that you will be blessed as you listen to this powerful song filled with peace.
8. Cali Job Kearns – I Am Not Alone – Live
Cali has been one of my favorite vocal artists ever since I first heard her sing in the early 2000s. She has always been a strong vocalist, and this song is a refreshing display of her vocal strength and vulnerability. When she sings, “I’m not alone, I’m not alone. You’ll go before me, you’ll never leave me,” my soul says “Amen” with her. I always have this song on my playlist, especially when I’m feeling hurt or alone. Healing comes in many ways through God’s loving embrace, but sometimes it comes in the form of sweet songs like this one.
9. Passion, Melody Malone – It’s Over – Live
The Passion always hits me exactly where I need to worship it the most. This song is a breath of freedom and strength that our healing hearts need. When I hear the lyrics “It’s finished, it’s finished,” I’m reminded of Jesus saying those words on the cross and the sacrifice He made for all of us. His power is now in us by the grace of the Holy Spirit. I am so grateful that I have been able to shout these words out loud in worship to the Lord for so many years.
10. Stephanie Gretzinger – No one has ever cared for me more than Jesus.
If you’re looking for a song that will make you open a letter from a close friend, this is it. The combination of Stefani’s voice and the poignant lyrics that make up this song is amazing. The song begins, “If only my heart could tell a story, If only my life could sing. If only I had a testimony, if only I had a little something. No one cared for me more than Jesus.” I don’t have much to add other than the whole song is like a warm hug from Jesus to the listener. Please check it out.
11. Vicky Beeching – Undivided Heart
I’ve had this song on my playlist since the early 2010s. I’ll admit I don’t know much about Vicki’s other songs, but this song is always in my rotation. It’s like a prayer that asks us to focus solely on Jesus. The chorus sings, “Give me your undivided heart. I want to love you with every part of me,” which touches my heart. Having an open mind allows us to center the Lord’s will for our lives, and when we need healing and peace, what more could we ask for?
12. Whitney Houston – I Look to You
It’s safe to say that everyone probably knows about the last artist I’ll be featuring here today. Ever since this song was released, I have loved this song and the vulnerability of Whitney singing it. This album, titled “I Look To You,” was Whitney’s last work before her death, and it’s quite moving. The lyrics closest to my healing heart have always been, “The winter storm has come and darkened my sun. After everything I’ve been through, who can I turn to? I’m counting on you.” He is the only one through whom we can find peace and healing. I hope this song reminds you of that.
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Mandy Smith is the proud author of Almost There: A 30 Day Journey Where Tomorrow’s Uncertainty Takes A Back Seat to the Promise of Today and loves using her writing talents to lead readers to a life of dependence on Jesus.
