Songs to encourage and inspire

I love this song. Focusing on that beautiful saviour in these frustrating times is to experience life in all its fullness.

chosen by Erika Stanton

I wonder please if you would indulge me in including a hymn from my childhood days. Others of the older generation might just remember it. When I was a child the far off lands sounded so exciting, but very far off. Little did I know that as an adult I would travel to and live in some of those far off lands. Not at the moment, however!!

Remember all the people
Who live in far off lands
In strange and lovely cities
Or roam the desert sands,
Or farm the mountain pastures
Or till the endless plains
Where children wade
through rice fields
And watch the camel trains.

Some work in sultry forests
Where apes swing to and fro,
Some fish in mighty rivers,
Some hunt across the snow.
Remember all God’s children,
Who yet have never Heard
The truth that comes from Jesus,
The glory of His Word.

God bless the men and women
Who serve Him overseas;
God raise up more to help them
To set the nations free,
Till all the distant people
In every foreign place
Shall understand His kingdom,
And come into His grace.

chosen by Sheila Beaven

It was written by Edward Perronet in 1779 just as today he looked to Jesus during his troubles with Spain declaring War on Britain, American Revolution Battle of Grenada Battle of Stono Ferry, and yet still his focus was Jesus and the power in his name!

chosen by Tom Wood

Lovely words…peace between all creed/colour/race

chosen by Kate Butler

The other day I was feeling a bit downcast so I talked to God and He immediately brought this song to mind: ‘Rain’ by Noel Robinson.  I find it’s a powerful prayer asking for God’s refreshment; needless to say it was just what I needed that day!  I hope this song is a blessing to you too…

chosen by Elaine Arnold

The song that really does it for me is “How Great Thou Art” Gloria and I have visited many places on cruises and holidays and when I am looking at a fantastic landscape with water running and birds singing this song always runs through my mind, How true it is.

chosen by Norman Moxey

I love the sentiment.

chosen by Kate Butler

I stumbled across this song a couple of weeks ago. This song has been written as a response to Covid 19 and is based on Psalm 91. I think the melody is very gentle and simple and the lyrics capture what we are going through at the present time. I can really hear it being sung in Emmanuel when we can meet together to worship and praise our amazing God.

chosen by Anthony Cowey

Just thought i would share this with you.

chosen by Tom Wood

An old hymn with the great words…. Take from our souls the strain and stress… Listen to the beauty of God’s peace.

chosen by Kate Butler

The words are quite profound. I was reminded of it this morning and the scripture from Revelation 12 about overcoming by the blood of the lamb in the midst of troubling thoughts. 

I came across David Ingles back in the mid 90s. I was listening to him when in hospital after a major operation. One of the staff members asked me what I was listening too and it was one of his cassettes (that shows how long ago!). I ended up giving it to him and he got back to me later and said ‘Why aren’t there more songs like these on this cassette? This is amazing!’ The album was the same name as the song.

chosen by Rob Marshall

This hymn reminds me of all God has done for us. Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

chosen by Iris Apter

I really like the Irish Blessing that was compiled by over 300 churches, of all denominations, throughout the whole of Ireland. I love it when Christians get together in lockdown and Ireland has such a history of religious strife, that Christians singing One song brought a lump to my throat.

chosen by Alison Stevenson

This reminds us that our home is in Heaven but God calls us to walk this broken world. He is with us and will never let us go.

chosen by Simon Chedgey

It was fantastic to have the unity of so many different churches singing a new version of this Hebrew blessing. I have chosen this in the more traditional form, the words come from Numbers 6 v24-26 Such an amazing reassurance that God not only longs to bless us but He’s keeping us, pouring out His grace on us and gives us peace as He shines His face upon us – incredible.

chosen by Sarah King

Jane and I were reading a section from 2 Chronicles 7:14 and reminded us of an old song by Jimmy Owens called if My people. It’s going back some time, you may remember when there was tour around the country, a sequel to Come Together. Anyway with the 24-7 prayer time and the call to pray for the Lord’s Kingdom to come – it seemed highly appropriate. especially as the verse before speaks of pestilence!

chosen by Rupert Masters

Beautiful hymn. We need him so much.

This is a hymn that is so appropriate for today and what we are faced with.

chosen by Sheila Millard

Beautiful hymn. We need him so much.

Lord come heal your world through the power of the Holy Spirit.

chosen by Thomas Wood

One of my favourite songs – choosing daily to lift God high in our own lives and in the situations around us.

chosen by Simon Chedgey

A moving song about our Great God.

chosen by Kate Butler

This beautiful hymn captures how it must be like for those passing away with covid 19 at this time, their darkness, their helplessness, their loneliness.

God abide with them in their darkest hours, in their helplessness. Lord abide with them.

chosen by Tom Wood

Sung by Amy Grant this is a beautiful expression of faith in El-Shaddai – our Almighty God.

chosen by Linda Horn

We used to sing it in our primary school days at our church school.
All children sang hymns then, and at home.
This is the origin of my loving this hymn, and of our mum singing it with us.

chosen by Sylvia Miller

We need Jesus walking with us at the moment.
A lovely song… And here sung by Jonathan Veira

chosen by Kate Butler

I love it because it is beautiful.

chosen by Ann West

For me it sums up how God is with us through the trails of life. When we are weak he is strong and through whatever storms we face he is Lord of all and ultimately in control.
It was an automatic go to song for my Mum’s funeral and all the uncertainty and pain of that time. It is again now as we go through this current crisis. I can rest in his unchanging grace.

chosen by Nigel McDonald

The version performed on the Proms Praise [virtual] is particularly moving, played and sung remotely by about 700 people. It is inspiring.

chosen by Nigel West

We need to hold onto this Truth… That knowing Jesus is the most important thing in our lives…. Whatever else is going on.

chosen by Kate Butler

From psalm 84 I think we all yearn to be back worshipping together in church and ‘better is one day’ fills me with hope for the future.

chosen by Sally McDonald

Our housegroup in real life always opens with a song, many of them new to us but this one is a golden oldie. It emphasises that God’s love absolutely does not depend on our performance or how good or bad a Christian we are….

chosen by Richard Horn

I love it because the marriage of Vaughan Williams’ orchestration with the inspiring words just works.

chosen by Ann West

It’s not the more popular song with the same name. I came across this one (by Glen Packiam) when looking for the other one about 10 years ago. With there being more time at the moment I sometimes need a playlist with a punch to get me moving. This one does the trick.

chosen by Simon Ritchie

10.000 reasons to stay strong while in lockdown… Even when we feel God is far away… He isn’t.. He’s with us during this difficult time.

chosen by Kate Butler

This is a song I often come back to in difficult and challenging times. It was written some time ago and based on Lamentations 3 22-23. A reminder of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness to us each and every day.

chosen by Jane Baker

Love this hymn it makes me reflect on my inner self and ask the question keep my whole body well, Jesus, but most of all my soul.

chosen by Tom Wood

The words of the chorus are so true for our situation today.

chosen by Clive Perry

About the inspiring songs, how about that wonderful film of Captain Tom walking to the strains of You’ll Never  Walk Alone?  I promise I am not a Liverpool fan and I know it was written for Carousel, but the words are touching.

chosen by Ann West

Not new, I was reminded of it early this morning.. 

It’s all about His love story for His people – both Israel & the Church.

chosen by Varad Daniel

I just find it the most worshipful song in every respect – words and music working together to encompass both the sacrifice and glory of the lamb of God.

chosen by Jane Masters 

This hymn always resonates deeply with me and I can’t sing it without it bringing tears to my eyes.

chosen by Sheila Miller

We have a strong and powerful God and this hymn is sung by a strong and powerful Welsh Male Choir.

I find it very uplifting with its power and we need His guidance at the present time more than ever.

chosen by Pat Mansell

I checked out the Songs to Encourage and Inspire, and I was immediately drawn to a suggestion – the song above.  There is something about the simple confidence of this song which I find incredibly comforting, and I think it really speaks into a period of instability and insecurity for so many of us.  It talks about our commitment to a life built on Jesus’ firm foundation, even in difficult times, and also powerfully about being sent in His love to those around us.  I am listening to this pretty regularly at the moment and I always find it a comforting and uplifting experience.

chosen by Sam Godsland

Whilst not a hymn , the person being sung about can only be God, we love the line asking God to sit awhile with us.

chosen by Val and Martin Fance

It’s so apt for this time. Let’s make sure we are raising a hallelujah when we can – “my weapon is a melody”.

chosen by Nicola Cole

Hallelujah, Jesus has risen!!  

Let’s worship the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Easter Sunday

Hallelujah, Jesus has risen!!  

Let’s worship the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Easter Sunday

Hallelujah, Jesus has risen!!  

Let’s worship the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Easter Sunday

At this time in particular the words are powerful as we are forced to isolate. May we be enfolded in HIS love.

Chosen by Dulcie Lawrence

His presence is with us at this difficult time and he does come to heal and minister his grace.
A song of encouragement for the website.

Chosen by Kate Butler

The last couple of months this song, particularly the first two lines, has been coming to me often in the shower. I know it’s somewhat dated (everso slightly older than me) but you can get past that! And I would sing it probably different to the Maranatha singers! (Yes you would, say my family – they always have trouble guessing a song I’m trying to find!)

The words are even more dated as they come from Psalm 25 but they are a great prayer and an offering to Yahweh.

We are church but we’re also individuals and need our own individual sustaining from the Lord too at this time. As Frank said in his latest sermon it is good to praise as it reminds us of God’s greatness, goodness etc. It is a an act of the will like Psalm 25 says – I trust in you.

Chosen by Rob Marshall

I couldn’t decide which one to choose. I find them both up lifting which we all need now and with Easter coming too we as a church family can’t celebrate as we would normally do.

Chosen by Peter Anderson

I couldn’t decide which one to choose. I find them both up lifting which we all need now and with Easter coming too we as a church family can’t celebrate as we would normally do.

Chosen by Peter Anderson

I stumbled across this artist whilst watching Greys Anatomy. Her song Rescue was playing in the background. Beautiful artist with songs that come from the soul.

Chosen by Tracey Wade

I like to use this song as a prayer. It focuses on the security we have in belonging to Christ which is important to remember in these uncertain times.

Chosen by Linda Evans

Its good to just pause for a moment, to wait on the Lord and to be thankful for all that He has done for us.

Chosen by Simon Chedgey

It’s one of my favourites and has such fantastic lyrics.

Chosen by Diane Wakefield

Great tune and wonderfully inspiring words!

Chosen by Ann West

This song came to me in the early hours of the morning. The lyrics are so apt at this time. “We are your church” the buildings have closed but we, the church, remain active in the strength and love of Christ. “Heal our streets and land” – of coronavirus and of all those things that hurt and harm and pull others down. So we pray that God is already setting his church on fire and our nation and our world will turn back to those things that matter: our world, its people and the environment. Maybe this period of enforced isolation will give each one of us the space to look inside ourselves and discover where our priorities lie and if they are in tune those of the maker of our world. “Change the atmosphere we pray, Amen”

Chosen by Aretia Debenham

This is one of Graham Kendrick’s latest beautiful songs. Gentle and uplifting. A reminder that God overshadows all else that overshadows us, especially Covid-19 at this time.

Chosen by Richard Horn

This is one song that Amelia and I sang this morning. Sometimes you just need a reminder about the joy in your heart.

Chosen by Julie Stroscio and Amelia

This song is so appropriate in our present situation!

Chosen by Tom Wood

This song has really been going round my head the last couple of days. I love the words in it as a reminder that God is always with us, and we have his armour on wherever we go, or whatever we may face in the day. It’s also a great workout song so if you’re stuck at home and needing to move about give it a go!

Chosen by Melissa Foat