7 Worship Songs About The Breath Of God (Sustaining Life)

The very first act of God giving life to humanity involved breath. Genesis 2:7 says God “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” In Hebrew, the word Ruach means both “spirit” and “breath.” To speak of the Spirit is to speak of the very breath that sustains us.

Songs about the breath of God serve as a reminder of our fragility and His sufficiency. They acknowledge that we are dependent creatures—we cannot take a single inhale without His permission. These anthems turn the physical act of singing into a spiritual act of returning God’s breath back to Him in praise.

Why These Songs Resonate

We selected these songs because:

• They are dependent. They recognize that God is the source of all life and energy.
• They are intimate. The imagery of breath implies closeness; God is as near as our next breath.
• They are reviving. Just as God breathed into dry bones in Ezekiel 37, these songs ask God to animate dead places in our lives.

7 Songs To Declare “It’s Your Breath”

1. Great Are You Lord – This is the definitive anthem for this theme. The chorus, “It’s Your breath in our lungs, so we pour out our praise,” connects the theology of creation with the practice of worship. It reminds us that we are simply returning what He gave us.
2. Rest On Us – “Come breathe on us.” This song draws parallels between the Spirit hovering over the waters in Genesis and the Spirit descending at Pentecost. It is a prayer for a fresh wind to fill the room.
3. Build My Life – The opening verse declares Jesus is “worthy of every song we could ever sing, worthy of all the breath we could ever breathe.” It dedicates our entire lifespan to His glory.
4. Goodness Of God – “With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God.” This song frames our breathing not just as a biological function, but as an opportunity for gratitude.
5. Graves Into Gardens – Based on Ezekiel 37, this song celebrates the God who breathes life into dry bones. It reminds the church that the breath of God has the power to turn a graveyard into an army.
6. Holy Spirit – While gentle, this song is an invitation for the Pneuma (Spirit/Breath) of God to fill the atmosphere. It asks for an awareness of the One who is closer than the air we breathe.
7. I Speak Jesus – Speaking requires breath. This song uses our breath to prophesy the name of Jesus over our families, cities, and strongholds. It is an active use of the breath God has given us to establish His Kingdom.

Example Setlists About Life And Spirit

Setlist 1 (Inhale and Exhale)

1. Rest On Us – Invites the Spirit to breathe on the congregation.
2. Great Are You Lord – Responds by pouring that breath back out in praise.
3. Build My Life – Dedicates every future breath to Him.

Setlist 2 (New Life)

1. Graves Into Gardens – Celebrates God breathing life into the dead.
2. Goodness Of God – A commitment to sing as long as we have breath.
3. Holy Spirit – A quiet moment of communion with the Spirit.

How To Use These Songs In Your Church

• Teaching moment. Before singing Great Are You Lord, explain the connection between the Hebrew word for Spirit and breath. It adds profound weight to the lyrics.
• Silence. Breath is rhythmic. Create space in the setlist for silence, allowing people to simply breathe in the presence of God without needing to sing a word.
• Prayer for the exhausted. Use Rest On Us to minister to those who feel like they can’t catch their breath in life. Pray for a “second wind” of the Spirit to hit them.

Next Steps

Are you taking your breath for granted? This Sunday, use Goodness Of God to remind your church that every inhale is a gift and every exhale is an opportunity to say “Thank You.”

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