9 Worship Songs For A Capella Moments (The Power Of The Voice)

There is nothing quite like the sound of a church singing without instruments. It is raw, vulnerable, and powerful. Stripping away the drums and guitars reveals the true instrument of worship: the human voice.

These songs are chosen because they have moments—usually a chorus or a bridge—that are specifically designed to be sung a capella. They are the anthems that carry themselves, allowing the worship leader to step back and let the congregation take the lead.

Why These Songs Carry The Room

We selected these songs because:

  • They are melodic. The melody is strong enough to stand on its own without harmonic support.
  • They are familiar. You can’t sing a capella if you don’t know the words. These are the songs everyone knows by heart.
  • They are rhythmic. The phrasing has a natural pulse that keeps everyone together even without a drummer.

9 Anthems To Cut The Sound

  1. Great Are You Lord – “It’s Your breath in our lungs.” This chorus is practically designed for a capella singing. The lyrics celebrate the very breath we are using to sing, creating a powerful meta-moment of worship.
  2. Agnus Dei – “Holy, Holy.” Michael W. Smith famously recorded this with just voices, and it remains the gold standard. The long, sustained notes of “Holy” sound like a choir of angels when the band drops out.
  3. Build My Life – “I will build my life upon Your love.” The bridge of this song is a declaration. Singing it without music turns it into a solemn vow, emphasizing the commitment of the words.
  4. Revelation Song – “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.” This song is cinematic. When you cut the music on the chorus, it feels like the roof lifts off the building. It unites the room in a single, reverent sound.
  5. Living Hope – “Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free.” The chorus of this song is an explosion of joy. Singing it a capella allows the dynamic energy of the lyrics (“broke every chain”) to shine through the voices.
  6. What A Beautiful Name – “You have no rival, You have no equal.” The bridge of this song is a theological powerhouse. Singing it without instruments highlights the supremacy of Jesus’ name above all else.
  7. Goodness Of God – “Your goodness is running after me.” This song is personal and tender. An a capella chorus feels like a collective testimony, as if every person in the room is sharing their story at the same time.
  8. Cornerstone – “He is Lord, Lord of all.” The bridge of Cornerstone is simple, repetitive, and doctrinal. It works perfectly as a chant-like declaration of faith that grounds the entire service.
  9. How Great Is Our God – “Then sings my soul.” Whether it’s the chorus or the bridge (“Name above all names”), this anthem was built for big voices. It connects us to the hymn tradition of singing loud and proud.

Example “Voices Only” Setlists

Setlist 1 (The Roar)

  1. Great Are You Lord – The breath.
  2. Living Hope – The shout.
  3. Revelation Song – The holiness.

Setlist 2 (The Vow)

  1. Build My Life – The foundation.
  2. Cornerstone – The alignment.
  3. Agnus Dei – The reverence.

How To Use These Songs In Your Church

  • Cut the click. If your band plays with a click track, make sure they know when to kill it. A capella moments need to breathe and flow naturally, not be constrained by a metronome.
  • Step back from the mic. As a worship leader, physically stepping back from the microphone during these moments signals to the congregation, “This is your turn.”
  • The “Drum Build.” A great way to exit an a capella section is with a tom-tom build on the drums. It transitions the energy from the intimacy of voices back into the power of the full band.

Next Steps

The most beautiful instrument in your church isn’t the grand piano; it’s the congregation. This Sunday, use Great Are You Lord to let your people hear the sound of their own worship.