7 Worship Songs For The Weary Soul (Finding Rest)

We are living in an epidemic of exhaustion. People are walking into our churches tired—physically drained, emotionally spent, and spiritually running on fumes. Jesus knew this would be our reality, which is why He issued the invitation in Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Worship is often the only time in a person’s week where they have permission to stop striving. Songs for the weary soul are not about doing more for God; they are about receiving what God has already done. These songs create a sanctuary of rest, inviting the congregation to breathe, let go, and abide.

Why These Songs Bring Relief

We selected these songs because:

  • They are gentle. The melodies are often softer and slower, avoiding the sensory overload of high-energy praise.
  • They focus on sufficiency. They remind us that God is holding everything together, so we don’t have to.
  • They invite surrender. Rest begins when we release control. These lyrics facilitate that release.

7 Songs To Restore The Soul

  1. Abide – This song is a musical exhale. With lyrics like “You’re the keeper, protector, it is You that holds us together,” it allows the weary soul to stop holding it all together and trust the One who never sleeps.
  2. Lord I Need You – Sometimes we are too tired for complex prayers. This song is a simple, honest admission of need. It gives people permission to be weak so that God can be their strength.
  3. Jesus Does – “Who carries the heavy load? Jesus does.” This folk-style song is light and joyful, yet it carries a heavy theological truth: Jesus does the heavy lifting in our lives. It is a song of unburdening.
  4. Come Jesus Come – Weariness often comes from the brokenness of the world. This song gives voice to the longing for heaven, where there will be no more pain or tears. It is a comfort to those who are simply “tired of the struggle.”
  5. Turn Your Eyes – Exhaustion often comes from looking at too many problems at once. This reimagined hymn simplifies our focus, gently commanding us to look at Jesus, where the things of earth grow “strangely dim.”
  6. Good Plans – Worry is exhausting. This song helps the mind find rest by declaring that God has “good plans” for us. It allows us to take a mental break from trying to figure out the future.
  7. I Set My Hope (Hymn For A Deconstructing Friend) – For those weary from doubt or spiritual wrestling, this song provides a safe place to land. It acknowledges the storm but drops an anchor in the hope of Christ.

Example Setlists For Rest

Setlist 1 (Lay It Down)

  1. Lord I Need You – Opens with a humble confession of dependency.
  2. Jesus Does – Reminds the room that He carries the burden.
  3. Abide – Ends with a long moment of lingering in His presence.

Setlist 2 (Peace Of Mind)

  1. Good Plans – Combats the fatigue of anxiety.
  2. I Set My Hope (Hymn For A Deconstructing Friend) – Anchors the soul in the midst of the storm.
  3. Turn Your Eyes – Leaves the congregation focused on His beauty.

How To Use These Songs In Your Church

  • Grant permission to sit. Before singing Abide, invite the congregation to sit down. The physical posture of sitting helps the body relax and signals that this is a moment to receive, not work.
  • Read Psalm 23. Use the “green pastures and still waters” imagery to introduce the set. Let the Word of God wash over the tired minds in the room.
  • Extend the instrumental. Don’t rush. Play the chord progression of Turn Your Eyes for a few minutes before or after the lyrics. Silence is often the most restful part of the service.

Next Steps

Look at your congregation this Sunday. Do they look energized or exhausted? If they look like they are carrying the weight of the world, scrap the high-energy opener and start with Lord I Need You. Give them the gift of rest.