179 Praise and Worship Song List for Praise Teams in 2024

As a worship leader, curating the perfect selection of praise and worship songs is fundamental to setting the tone for any service. My weekly task involves sifting through an array of songs to find those that will resonate with the congregation and uplift their spirits. It's a balance of theology, musicality, and congregational engagement—a thoughtful process that seeks to both glorify God and edify the church.

In my experience, worship teams often look for songs that facilitate a deep, communal worship experience. This involves choosing praise and worship songs that not only align with the message of the day but also embody the diversity and dynamics of the musical gifts within the team. From upbeat anthems of gratitude to reflective melodies of praise, the aim is to craft a list that guides the congregation through a meaningful spiritual journey.

Praise songs specifically have a unique ability to energize and encourage the congregation to participate. They set a joyful atmosphere, often prompting the community to stand, clap, and sing along in unity. Worship songs, on the other hand, tend to create a more introspective space, allowing for personal and collective moments of worship. Balancing these elements is essential to foster an environment where every member of the community can express their adoration and reverence through song.

Here is a list of 179 worship songs you can choose from for your next praise and worship song service.

10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) - Matt Redman / Passion
You Are Good - Lakewood Church
Better Is One Day - Matt Redman
Worthy, You Are Worthy - Don Moen
Whom Shall I Fear (God Of Angel Armies) - Chris Tomlin
Jesus Messiah - Chris Tomlin
My Redeemer Lives - Hillsong Worship
Reckless Love - Bethel Music / Cory Asbury
There Is A Redeemer - Keith Green
Noel - Lauren Daigle
Forever - Kari Jobe
You Are My King (Amazing Love) - Newsboys
Here We Are - Don Moen
Jesus, Name Above All Names - Naida Hearn
King Of Kings - Hillsong Worship
I Speak Jesus - Charity Gayle / Steven Musso
Blessed Be Your Name - Matt Redman
God Of Wonders - Third Day
Breathe - Michael W. Smith
Battle Belongs - Phil Wickham
You Are So Good To Me - Third Day
Open The Eyes Of My Heart - Paul Baloche
I Will Rise - Chris Tomlin
Mighty To Save - Hillsong Worship
Hosanna (Praise Is Rising) - Paul Baloche
Give Thanks - Don Moen
Way Maker - Leeland
I Can Only Imagine - MercyMe
Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) - Hillsong UNITED / TAYA
Hosanna - Hillsong UNITED
Great I Am - New Life Worship
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - Chris Tomlin
What A Beautiful Name (Live) - Hillsong Worship
Majesty - Delirious?
Christ Is Risen - Matt Maher
Hark The Herald (with King Of Heaven) - Paul Baloche
Change My Heart Oh God - Eddie Espinosa
We Will Glorify - Twila Paris
Forever - Chris Tomlin
At The Cross (Love Ran Red) - Chris Tomlin
Come Now Is The Time To Worship - Brian Doerksen
Shout To The Lord - Hillsong Worship
Agnus Dei - Michael W. Smith
I Give You My Heart - Hillsong Worship
Let Everything That Has Breath - Matt Redman
Holy Forever - Chris Tomlin
Holy Spirit - Francesca Battistelli
O Holy Night - Chris Tomlin
Do It Again - Elevation Worship
He Is Exalted - Twila Paris
Our God - Chris Tomlin
Holy And Anointed One - John Barnett
Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble? - Delirious?
Hallelujah (Your Love Is Amazing) - Brian Doerksen
O Praise The Name (Anastasis) - Hillsong Worship
Joy To The World (Joyful Joyful) - Phil Wickham
This Is Amazing Grace - Phil Wickham
No Longer Slaves (Spontaneous)(Live) - Bethel Music
Thank You Jesus For The Blood - Charity Gayle
Take My Life (Holiness) - Scott Underwood
Lead Me To The Cross - Hillsong UNITED
Great Is The Lord - Michael W. Smith
Your Grace Is Enough - Chris Tomlin
This Is The Day - Leslie Garrett
What A Beautiful Name / Agnus Dei (Medley) - Travis Cottrell
Shine On Us - Phillips, Craig & Dean
How Great Is Our God - Chris Tomlin
It's Christmas - Chris Tomlin
He Shall Reign Forevermore - Chris Tomlin
More Precious Than Silver - Lynn DeShazo
Cry Of My Heart - Terry Butler
Lord, Reign In Me - Brenton Brown
How Great Thou Art - Paul Baloche
O The Blood - Gateway Worship
Lamb Of God - Twila Paris
Lion And The Lamb - Bethel Music / Leeland
Worthy Is The Lamb - Hillsong Worship
O Come All Ye Faithful - Chris Tomlin
Trading My Sorrows - Darrell Evans
Celebrate Jesus - Don Moen
From The Inside Out - Hillsong Worship
The Stand - Hillsong UNITED
I Offer My Life - Don Moen
Sanctuary - Randy Rothwell
In The Secret - Andy Park
Hymn Of Heaven - Phil Wickham
Jesus, Lover Of My Soul - Hillsong Worship
Glorious Day - Passion / Kristian Stanfill
Enough - Chris Tomlin
Knowing You (All I Once Held Dear) - Graham Kendrick
Death Was Arrested - North Point Worship
Even So Come - Passion / Chris Tomlin
No Other Name - Hillsong Worship
The Heart Of Worship (When The Music Fades) - Matt Redman
Create In Me A Clean Heart - Keith Green
Every Move I Make - Hillsong UNITED
It Is You - Newsboys
The Potter's Hand - Darlene Zschech
I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever - Delirious?
Living Hope - Phil Wickham
Here I Am To Worship (Light Of The World) - Tim Hughes
Come Thou Fount Come Thou King - Gateway Worship
In Christ Alone - Kristian Stanfill / Passion
Open Up The Heavens - Vertical Worship
Be Glorified - Chris Tomlin
Ancient Of Days - Ron Kenoly
Forever Reign - Hillsong Worship
Yes I Will - Vertical Worship
Draw Me Close - The Katinas
God Is Able - Hillsong Worship
You Are Holy (Prince Of Peace) - Michael W. Smith
How Marvelous (I Stand Amazed) - Chris Tomlin / Passion
How Deep The Father's Love For Us - Stuart Townend
As The Deer - Martin Nystrom
Awesome God - Rich Mullins
Lord Have Mercy - Michael W. Smith
My Life Is In You, Lord - Joseph Garlington
Because He Lives (Amen) - Matt Maher
Days Of Elijah - Robin Mark
Resurrecting (Live) - Elevation Worship
Crown Him (Majesty) - Chris Tomlin
Revelation Song - Gateway Worship
Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me) - Casting Crowns
Be Unto Your Name - Robin Mark
I Stand In Awe - Mark Altrogge
We Bow Down - Twila Paris
Your Great Name - Natalie Grant
Glorify Thy Name - Donna Adkins
Above All - Michael W. Smith
O Come To The Altar - Elevation Worship
Lord, I Lift Your Name On High - Rick Founds
We Fall Down - Chris Tomlin
It Is Well - Kristene DiMarco / Bethel Music
Mighty Is Our God - Eugene Greco
Lord I Need You - Matt Maher
I Love You Lord - Laurie Klein
Light Of The World - Lauren Daigle
I Worship You, Almighty God - Sondra Corbett-Wood
How Majestic Is Your Name - Sandi Patty
Good Good Father - Chris Tomlin
Step By Step - Rich Mullins
Angels We Have Heard On High - Chris Tomlin
God Is Good All The Time - Don Moen
All Things Are Possible - Hillsong Worship
Build My Life - Passion / Brett Younker
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day - Casting Crowns
King Of My Heart - Bethel Music
Refiner's Fire - Brian Doerksen
Raise A Hallelujah - Bethel Music / Melissa Helser / Jonathan David Helser
Firm Foundation - John Chisum
House Of The Lord - Phil Wickham
Indescribable - Chris Tomlin / Passion
Come Into His Presence - Lynn Baird
Chain Breaker - Zach Williams
Goodness Of God - Bethel Music / Jenn Johnson
More Love More Power - Jeff Deyo
I Want To Be Where You Are - Don Moen
Who You Say I Am - Hillsong Worship
Shine, Jesus, Shine - Graham Kendrick
This I Believe (The Creed) - Hillsong Worship
Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me - CityAlight
Build Your Kingdom Here - Rend Collective
He Has Made Me Glad (I Will Enter His Gates) - Maranatha! Music
Graves Into Gardens (Live) - Elevation Worship / Brandon Lake
Today Is The Day - Lincoln Brewster
Happy Day - Tim Hughes
The Blessing (Live) - Elevation Worship / Kari Jobe / Cody Carnes
Cornerstone - Hillsong Worship
In Christ Alone - Travis Cottrell
Man Of Sorrows - Hillsong Worship
Everlasting God - Lincoln Brewster
O Lord, You're Beautiful - Keith Green
Our God - Chris Tomlin / Passion
Great Are You Lord - All Sons & Daughters
Great Things - Phil Wickham
Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy) - Chris Tomlin
We Believe - Newsboys
Only King Forever - Elevation Worship
Jesus Paid It All - Kristian Stanfill / Passion

The Role of Praise and Worship in Church Services

In my experience, praise and worship serve as the heartbeat of church services, setting the atmosphere and preparing the congregation's heart to receive the message.

Defining Praise and Worship

Praise and worship are essential elements in Christian church services. They involve expressions of reverence and adoration through music and song. Praise often consists of joyous, upbeat songs that celebrate God's presence and goodness, while worship songs tend to be more reflective, inviting worshippers into a deeper sense of communion with the divine.

Importance of Song Selection

Choosing the right songs for a service is crucial. As a worship leader, I ensure that each song aligns with the day’s themeand that it speaks to the congregation effectively. The song selection should:

Reflect the beliefs and values of the congregation.
Fit musically within the church's style to encourage participation.
Vary in tempo and mood to guide the congregation through different expressions of worship.
Evoke a true sense of worship, fostering a genuine connection with God.

The songs chosen should create a cohesive narrative that enhances the worship experience and supports the overall message of the service.

Building an Inclusive Song List

When I construct a song list for the praise team, my aim is to ensure a range that resonates with every member of the congregation. This includes paying attention to various musical genres and incorporating both timeless hymns and contemporary worship music.

Diversity in Musical Genre

I believe that a varied selection of musical genres can greatly enhance the worship experience. When selecting songs, I look for a mix that includes:

Classic Hymns: These are essential as they carry the rich history and theology that have been the foundation for many believers. A hymn like "Hymn of Heaven" can deeply resonate with the congregation.
Contemporary Worship: Songs like "Graves Into Gardens" by Elevation Worship provide a modern musical expression that often connect with younger worshipers eager for fresh sounds.

To craft a well-rounded list, I ensure that it includes:

Traditional choruses
Gospel
Contemporary Christian music (CCM)
Christian rock or pop

This diversity helps in catering to different musical tastes and creates a more inclusive worship environment.

Balancing Old and New Anthems

Maintaining a balance between old and new anthems ensures that each service is refreshing yet familiar. I tend to:

Stay updated with the Top 100 worship songs to introduce new music that is relevant and impactful.
Revisit classic anthems that carry the collective memory and tradition of the church.

To achieve a good equilibrium, my strategy involves:

Choosing 70% familiar songs that the congregation knows well.
Introducing 30% new anthems, giving precedence to those that are being widely accepted in Christian communities.

This formula allows me to keep the worship experience dynamic without overwhelming the congregation with too many unfamiliar tunes. By being mindful of this balance, I work towards creating a worship atmosphere that honors the past while embracing the present.

Notable Praise and Worship Leaders and Bands

In my exploration of praise and worship music, certain leaders and bands stand out for their impact on worship communities around the globe. These figures are not only recognized for their musical talents but also for their ability to lead congregations in powerful worship experiences.

Influential Worship Leaders

Phil Wickham: Known for his soaring vocals and heartfelt songwriting, I've seen Wickham's songs like "This Is Amazing Grace" become staples in many churches.
Leeland Mooring: As the frontman of the band Leeland, Mooring's contribution to worship music is significant, with hits like "Where You Are" stirring the hearts of believers.

Prominent Worship Bands

Elevation Worship: Their dynamic and anthemic songs, such as "O Come to the Altar,” are a testament to their influence in modern worship music.
Hillsong UNITED: They have been at the forefront of the worship music scene for decades, offering powerful live recordings and songs like "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)."
Bethel Music: I recognize them as a collective of artists who have greatly influenced the worship genre with their profound lyrics and varied musical styles.
Maverick City Music: This diverse group has brought a fresh and unique sound to the worship scene, and their collaborative approach to music-making is both inspiring and innovative.

Must-Have Songs for Praise Teams

In curating a song list for praise teams, I focus on incorporating both recent hits that resonate with today's congregations and timeless hymns that have become staples in worship settings.

Recent Hits

The contemporary worship scene is vibrant, with new music almost always at the ready. Personally, I've found that integrating tracks that have gained significant traction can invigorate a praise team's repertoire and help the congregation connect through familiar melodies and lyrics. Here are some of the recent hits that have made a strong impact:

"House of the Lord": A lively song that celebrates joy and community in God's presence.
"Goodness of God": Known for its heartfelt testament to God's enduring goodness, it's a track that encourages reflection and gratitude.
"Battle Belongs": With its empowering lyrics, this song is an anthem of faith and trust in divine resolve.
"This is Amazing Grace": This modern classic captures the wonder of grace with its powerful chorus and dynamic range.

Timeless Hymns

While new songs are essential, the depth and richness of hymns that have stood the test of time are irreplaceable. Here are a couple of hymns that I believe every praise team should have in their collection:

"Amazing Grace": Perhaps the most iconic hymn, its simple yet profound message of redemption never ceases to move hearts.
"O Praise the Name (Anástasis)": While slightly newer, it harks back to traditional themes and the storytelling aspect of classic hymns, recounting the resurrection.

Each song selected plays a pivotal role in shaping the worship experience and fostering a spiritual atmosphere that aligns with the values and teachings of the faith community.

Song Choice by Theme and Tempo

When selecting songs for a praise team, it's important to consider both the thematic elements of the service and the desired tempo. Coordinating songs with specific themes and tempo can deeply impact the worship experience, making it more cohesive and powerful.

Worship Songs for Specific Themes

I recommend choosing worship songs that reflect the central theme of the worship service. For instance, when focusing on gratitude, "Goodness of God" by Bethel Music captures the essence of being thankful for God's unwavering presence. If the service theme is centered around perseverance and God's guidance, "Way Maker" is a fitting selection, speaking to God's role as a constant, reliable force that shapes our path.

Here's a list reflecting theme-centered song choices:

Gratitude: Goodness of God - Bethel Music
Guidance: Way Maker - Leeland
Majesty of Christ: King of Kings - Hillsong Worship
Praise in Trials: Raise A Hallelujah - Bethany Wohrle

Setting the Tempo with Song Selection

The tempo of songs shapes the energy of the service. I find that starting with an energetic, upbeat song sets a lively atmosphere. A song like "Raise A Hallelujah" with a moderate fast tempo is ideal for this. As you transition into times of reflection or deeper worship, it's beneficial to include slower ballads like "King of Kings" that allow the congregation to contemplate and respond.

To maintain a balanced worship set, consider this tempo order:

Opening with Energy: Raise A Hallelujah - Fast Tempo
Reflective Worship: Goodness of God - Moderate Tempo
Deep Contemplation: King of Kings - Slow Tempo

By adeptly choosing songs by theme and tempo, you pave the way for a truly immersive and touching worship experience.

Key Resources for Praise Teams

When preparing for worship, having the right resources is crucial for ensuring that my praise team can perform confidently and effectively. I've gathered some essential tools that are incredibly helpful in organizing songs and mastering their arrangements.

Chord Charts and Sheet Music

I rely heavily on chord charts and sheet music to guide the instrumentalists and vocalists on my team. One of my go-to sources is PraiseCharts, where I can find a variety of music sheets, including SATB arrangements for our choir and simple lead sheets for piano. Chord charts also come in handy for our guitarists across acoustic, bass, and electric, and they are instrumental for rhythm sections including acoustic guitarists and drummers.

For SATB/Choir: Sheet music with vocal parts
For Pianists: Lead sheets
For Guitarists: Chord charts
For Rhythm Sections: Rhythm charts for timing and beats

These resources help us to maintain the correct harmonies and rhythms, ensuring a polished and unified sound during worship.

Worship Music Streaming and Sets

To access a wide range of worship music, Spotify is my platform of choice. It provides a comprehensive selection of songs across all tempos, key signatures, and themes. Browsing through curated worship sets helps me discover new songs and create playlists that I can share with my team.

New Worship Set Example:

Fast Opening: Song by Hillsong United
Midtempo Anthem: 'Firm Foundation (He Won't)' by Maverick City Music
Closing Worship: 'King Of Kings' by Hillsong Worship

Considering song tempo is also important; if I throw in a song in 6/8 time, I'm conscious of its impact on the flow of the set. The beats per minute (bpm) guide my decisions in structuring a worship session that progresses smoothly from high-energy praise to reverent worship.

Practical Aspects for Praise Team Members

Ensuring the efficacy of a praise team hinges on two pivotal components: Rehearsal and Coordination, and understanding Members' Roles and Responsibilities. Each aspect plays a critical role in harmonizing efforts and talents for impactful worship.

Rehearsal and Coordination

I recognize that effective rehearsal isn’t just about the individual practice of instruments or vocals, it's a cumulative effort that necessitates coordination. To facilitate this, I advocate for a structured schedule that includes specific times for signing in and warming up. For instance:

6:00 PM: Members sign in
6:15 PM: Vocal warm-ups
6:30 PM: Group rehearsal

Members should always come prepared, having reviewed the song list prior to reunions. Coordination efforts also extend to technical aspects, such as the sound system setup, ensuring all members understand their contribution to the overall sound.

Members' Roles and Responsibilities

The backbone of any praise team I lead is clarity in the roles and responsibilities. Members must be distinctly aware of their duties, whether they are vocalists, instrumentalists, or technical staff. Criteria for individuals aspiring to join the praise team include:

Vocalists: Proven vocal ability, and a heart for worship.
Instrumentalists: Competency with their instrument, and the ability to play in a team setting.

My goal is to delineate these roles explicitly from the onset to avoid confusion and ensure each member can fully prepare for their contribution to the worship service.

Integrating Multimedia in Worship Services

Incorporating multimedia into worship services enhances the engagement and participation of the congregation. My focus will be on effective deployment of visual aids for lyrics display and optimizing audio systems to ensure clear acoustics.

Visual Aids and Lyrics Display

1. Projectors and Screens: I recommend high-definition projectors and screens for clarity. This ensures that lyrics are readable from all angles of the worship space. The use of motion backgrounds can complement the atmosphere without distracting from the worship experience.

2. Presentation Software: I utilize advanced presentation software that supports a wide range of media formats. This allows for seamless transitions between lyrics, videos, and sermon notes. The software should include remote control capabilities to facilitate adjustments during the service.

3. Operator Training: It is crucial to have a well-trained operator who can manage the software competently. I ensure that my operators are adept at troubleshooting common issues that may arise during the service.

Audio Systems and Acoustics

1. Sound Equipment Quality: I invest in high-quality microphones, speakers, and mixers to ensure that all elements—from the lyrics to the music—are heard with clarity. This creates a balanced sound that minimizes distractions and enhances focus on worship.

2. Acoustic Treatments: To optimize the worship space acoustics, I employ a combination of sound-absorbing panels and diffusers. This minimizes echoes and reverberations, so the congregation can hear the lyrics and music distinctly.

3. Soundcheck Protocols: I conduct thorough soundchecks before each service. This involves checking the levels of all inputs and outputs to balance the lyrics and music in the mix. It is also a time to ensure that all equipment is functioning properly.

Engagement and Outreach Through Worship

In my experience, engaging with the congregation and extending our reach through online platforms are fundamental for a dynamic worship experience. I aim to create a bridge with the congregation that allows for a powerful communal spiritual journey, while also employing modern technology to connect with individuals beyond the church walls.

Connecting with the Congregation

I prioritize song choices that resonate with my congregation's diverse backgrounds and unite us in worship. I am mindful to strike a balance between familiar tunes that encourage participation and new songs that enrich our worship and keep it fresh. To maintain this balance, I build my repertoire with care:

Familiarity: I include songs that my congregation knows and loves, ensuring they can sing along and fully engage without hesitation.
Freshness: Regularly, I introduce new songs that speak to the congregation's current spiritual journey, aiming for these to become tomorrow's beloved classics.

Online Platforms and Social Media

I recognize the importance of extending our worship beyond the church's physical walls. By sharing our praise and worship sessions on online platforms and social media, I reach those who may not be able to attend in person, including members of our congregation who are at home. Here is how I enhance our digital outreach:

Live Streams: I conduct live streams of our services, allowing the home-bound and distant viewers to participate in real-time.
Recorded Sessions: I make recordings of our worship available online. They can be used for personal reflection at home or shared to encourage others.
Interactive Posts: I engage with the online community by posting interactive content that promotes discussion and community building.

Through careful song selection and strategic use of digital tools, I aim to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment that engages my congregation in meaningful worship and reaches out to the wider community with our message of faith and unity.

Worship Team Dynamics and Growth

In guiding worship teams, it is essential to consider both the collective spirit of the group and the individual growth of its members. By fostering a collaborative environment and emphasizing constant improvement, worship leaders can create a dynamic and flourishing worship team.

Fostering Team Spirit

My approach to nurturing team spirit is built on the foundation of mutual respect and shared vision. I encourage open communication and support amongst team members which leads to a more cohesive unit. Regular team-building activities are critical, as they help to strengthen bonds and improve the overall effectiveness of our worship services.

Monthly social outings
Weekly debrief sessions post-service
Collaborative goal-setting meetings

These strategies help to unify the team, making it strong and effective in leading worship.

Continual Learning and Improvement

For continual learning and improvement, I make use of various resources tailored specifically for worship teams. Ongoing training is a staple in my team, encompassing both musical skill development and spiritual growth.

Organize workshops with experienced worship leaders.
Subscribe to services like Praise Charts for the latest music resources.
Regularly review and update our song repertoire to maintain freshness in worship.

By ensuring that learning and improvement are integral to the team's culture, I help deepen the congregants' worship experience and maintain a vibrant worship community.

Addressing the Spiritual Needs of the Church

I recognize that meeting the spiritual needs of the church involves providing an environment for individuals to express their faith and find solace in times of hardship. Through carefully selected praise and worship songs, praise teams can facilitate these expressions and offer reassurance to the congregation.

Praise as an Expression of Faith

For many believers, praise is a direct expression of faith; it's an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and grace. I find that incorporating timeless hymns like "Amazing Grace" can remind the church of the foundations of their beliefs. This hymn, with its rich history and profound lyrics, speaks of the transformative power of grace and how it leads individuals from spiritual blindness to sight.

Songs of Hope and Assurance

In addressing the spiritual needs of the church, providing hope and assurance is vital. Contemporary worship songs, such as "Living Hope", encapsulate this message. Its lyrics affirm the resurrection's impact on personal salvation, offering listeners a profound sense of optimism and assurance. Introducing such songs during worship leads congregants into a deeper sense of peace and hopefulness in their spiritual journey.

Legal and Copyright Considerations for Music

When I prepare a praise and worship song list, I prioritize understanding the relevant copyright laws and securing the appropriate licenses. This ensures that my team and I honor the rights of the song creators, avoid legal complications, and contribute to the sustainability of worship music resources.

Understanding Copyright Laws

Copyright laws protect the creativity and rights of those who create music, including worship songs. Typically, works published before 1923 are in the public domain and can be used without restriction. For more recent works, I must be aware of the copyright status of each song. The implications are significant – copyright infringement can lead to damages ranging from $500 to $100,000 per infringement, and in extreme cases, criminal penalties.

Obtaining Proper Licensing

To use music legally, it's crucial to obtain the necessary licenses. I ensure my church procures a copyright licensecovering the songs we intend to use. Common licenses include:

CCLI License: Allows congregational singing and provides access to song lyrics and sheet music.
Streaming Licenses: Necessary when broadcasting services online which include music.
Performance Licenses: Required if the music is performed live in front of a congregation.

By taking these steps, I safeguard my praise team against any legal issues and contribute to the ethical use of worship music.