7 Worship Songs For The Sacrifice Of Praise (Worshipping Through Pain)

Hebrews 13:15 tells us to “continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.” A sacrifice, by definition, costs us something. It is easy to worship when the bank account is full and the medical tests are clear. It is a sacrifice to worship when our world is falling apart.

The sacrifice of praise is one of the most powerful sounds the church can make. It declares to the spiritual realm that God is worthy not because of what He does, but because of who He is. These songs give your congregation the vocabulary to praise Him through their tears, turning their pain into a platform for His glory.

Why These Songs Matter

We selected these songs because:

  • They are volitional. They focus on the *choice* to praise (“I will bless the Lord”) rather than the feeling of praise.
  • They validate struggle. They don’t ignore the darkness; they worship right in the middle of it.
  • They are raw. These lyrics strip away the polish and offer God a simple, honest hallelujah.

7 Songs To Offer A Sacrifice Of Praise

  1. Gratitude – “I throw up my hands and praise You again and again.” This song is the ultimate anthem for the sacrifice of praise. It acknowledges that we may not have much to offer—no perfect words or melody—but we can offer our “hallelujah.”
  2. Blessed Be Your Name – Based on the life of Job, this song teaches us to bless the Lord “when the darkness closes in.” It gives the church permission to grieve the things God takes away while still blessing His name.
  3. Praise You Anywhere – “There is no prison wall You can’t break through.” This high-energy track is a defiant decision to praise God in every circumstance. It reminds us that our location (the prison) does not determine our vocation (praise).
  4. I Set My Hope (Hymn For A Deconstructing Friend) – When life hurts, we are tempted to deconstruct our faith. This song is a resolve to do the opposite—to set our hope on Jesus even when the “storm increases.”
  5. Son Of Suffering – It is easier to offer a sacrifice of praise when we know God understands our pain. This song connects our suffering to His, reminding us that the High Priest we worship has walked this road before.
  6. Great Is Thy Faithfulness – “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.” In times of deep loss, we often can’t look too far ahead. This hymn provides the manna we need just to make it through the day.
  7. The Joy – “Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Offering a sacrifice of praise often releases the joy of the Lord. This song is a prophetic declaration that the current sorrow is not permanent.

Example Sacrifice Setlists

Setlist 1 (The Decision To Bless)

  1. Blessed Be Your Name – Establishes the choice to worship in the desert.
  2. Praise You Anywhere – Raises the energy to a defiant level.
  3. Gratitude – Ends with a humble, stripped-back offering.

Setlist 2 (Hope In The Pain)

  1. Son Of Suffering – Focuses on the empathy of Jesus.
  2. I Set My Hope (Hymn For A Deconstructing Friend) – Anchors the soul in the midst of the storm.
  3. Great Is Thy Faithfulness – A timeless reminder of God’s care.

How To Use These Songs In Your Church

  • Acknowledge the room. Before singing Blessed Be Your Name, say something like, “I know some of you walked in here with heavy hearts today.” Validation creates safety for them to engage.
  • Don’t hype it. The sacrifice of praise doesn’t always look like jumping; sometimes it looks like weeping. Allow Gratitude to be sung tenderly without forcing people to clap.
  • Read Psalm 50. “Sacrifice thank offerings to God… and call on me in the day of trouble.” Use this passage to teach that our praise opens the door for God’s deliverance.

Next Steps

Are you going through a personal trial? Lead Gratitude this Sunday. Your congregation will be ministered to more by your honest worship in pain than by your perfect performance in plenty.