As Christians, we know that the only time that we will have true peace on earth is when Jesus, the Prince of Peace returns to set up His kingdom. In the meantime, we sing about peace and pray for that day.
Here are ten great Christian songs about peace that I have come to know. They are listed in no particular order.
May these hymns and Christian songs about peace warm your heart and soothe your soul!
As a child, I sang this song often and as an adult, it has become one that is regularly requested by families who mourn the death of their loved ones. One of the co-writers of this song, Sy Miller is quoted as saying: ‘This simple thought, 'Let There Be Peace on Earth, and Let It Begin With Me' firstborn on a mountain top in the voices of youth, continues to travel heart to heart – gathering in people everywhere who wish to become a note in a song of understanding and peace—peace for all mankind." [1]
Favorite Lyric: “With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow: To take each moment, and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”
Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Written and performed by Laura Story, this lovely ballad gives us hope as we keep our eyes upon the Lord.
Favorite Lyric: “Though I may not calm the storms around you, you can hide in Me.”
Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
This is a lovely upbeat song by Todd Vaters that reminds us how very precious we are to God. We are encouraged to rest in Him. Perhaps it is a lesser known song than the others I list. Enjoy the video.
Favorite Lyric: “I have even numbered all the hairs upon your head and sent My Son to love you with the precious blood He shed.”
Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
This song is based upon the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. It was another that I sang as a child. Even today it is still sung mostly in the Catholic Church.
Favorite Lyric: “Make me a channel of your peace; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned. In giving to all men that we receive and in dying that we're born to eternal life.”
Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
A favorite children’s song, this one has motions so it is a great one to do when the children need to get some energy out. I highly recommend adding this to your children’s song bank. Although it is a children’s song, biblically it is a song of great hope and a foretelling in the Old Testament of the grace that is extended to the Gentiles today.
Isaiah 66:12 “For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.”
A beautiful song of faith, written by Horatio G. Spafford, It is Well with my Soul” is a hymn of the peace that passes all understanding. Spafford was a successful lawyer and also a close friend and supporter of D.L. Moody. Spafford’s faith was tested on several occasions, first when in 1870 the Spaffords lost their four-year-old only son to scarlet fever and then when they were wiped out financially by the great Chicago fire in 1871. Recovering from these tragedies, Horatio decided that he, his wife and four daughters needed a holiday to England and later they would join D.L. Moody on an evangelistic tour as well. At the last minute, a business situation prevented Horatio from joining his wife and daughters and so they went on without him. That ship on which Mrs. Spafford and her four daughters sailed was later to collide with another ship. The terrible wreck claimed 226 lives – including the lives of all four of the young girls. Mrs. Spafford was spared and later sent a telegram to her husband which simply read: “Saved Alone”. Horatio boarded another ship to go meet his wife and as they passed through the waters where his daughters were lost he returned to his cabin and penned the words to this hymn. [2]
Favorite Lyric: “The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, even so, it is well with my soul.”
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Peace in the Valley is a great gospel song written in 1937 by Thomas A. Dorsey, who is credited with writing nearly one thousand gospel songs. Although it was originally written for someone else, you may remember Elvis Presley singing this one.
I love the chorus of this song, check out this amazing version by Elvis Presley:
There'll be peace in the valley for me someway,
There'll be peace in the valley for me.
I pray no more sorrow and sadness or trouble will be,
There'll be peace in the valley for me.Revelation 21:4 “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
One of my favorite Christmas songs is one that Sandi Patty recorded several years ago. Although it is heard mostly at Christmas time, truly it can be sung year ‘round.
Favorite Lyric: “Child of comfort, child of night; hope that drowns away the night. Touch our lives from Heaven above. Oh child of peace, we need Your love.”
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Relax and enjoy this powerful music video by Kristene DiMarco performing Be Still.
Favorite Lyrics
Be still my heart and know
Letting all my weakness show
He provides a place for me to go
He lifts me off the groundPsalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
"In Christ Alone" is a beloved contemporary Christian song written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend.
Favorite Lyrics
In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
when fears are stilled, when strivings ceaseGalatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Peace is something we all should look forward to because one day Jesus will return to catch up His Church and this will happen in a twinkling of an eye. We will live in peace with Him. Until He comes we must always be ready for Jesus. We must tell others about Jesus. Singing Christian songs about peace is one way we can tell the world about our precious Prince of Peace.
"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." ~ Revelation 22:20
Sources:
The Holy Bible, King James Version
[1] http:// www. jan-leemusic.com/Site/History.html
[2] http:// www. biblestudycharts.com/A_Daily_Hymn.html
Photo Credit: Flickr by h.koppdelaney