9 Worship Songs for Anxiety When Your Thoughts Won’t Slow Down

In November 2019, just before the world would endure an unprecedented level of anxiety and fear, I was diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, an intrusive thought mental disability that OCD UK recently ranked as the sixth most debilitating disease/disorder in the world, so far as quality of life and ability to work and provide steady provision for the household. 

Needless to say, I’m well-acquainted with anxiety, depression, and mental overwhelm. They are the most faithful, unwanted companions, which has forced me to reckon with my relationship to them, certainly where my faith is concerned. 

Music has always been an escape for me, a beautiful outlet for trying times, so why not let music be an avenue to aligning my heart with my Savior’s? Why not turn my vice into an avenue for God to vanquish fear in my life?

If you struggle with anxiety and fear like me, consider these nine songs/playlists that have kept my spiritual hope alive in life’s most trying times:

1. "Be Thou My Vision"

I grew up in an unhealthy fundamental church, where Scripture was taken grossly out of context. In fact, I was taught that any music outside old hymns was sinful. 

After stepping away from that church, I had a hard time listening to hymns. They reminded me too much of the scare tactics and unhealthy ways of my unhealthy spiritual upbringing. However, as I healed and leaned into the truth of Scripture, I returned to hymns.

Not only that, but I fell in love with several of them, most notably "Be Thou My Vision." 

As someone who struggles with anxiety and diagnosed Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, my thoughts are often heavy, dark, and spiraling, so I find an indescribable comfort in the first verse, notably the portion that says, “Thou my best thought by day and by night; Waking or sleeping, they presence my light.”

2. "Wonder" by Bethel Music

None of us can appreciate the ease and bliss of (a healthy) childhood until we enter the chaotic, demanding, selfish world of adulthood. Reality hits hard from all sides, and anxiety easily, naturally follows. 

What I love about "Wonder" is that it calls us to sit in God’s presence as a child, “staring at the beauty of our King.” 

I think life leaves us so exhausted because we refuse to rest. We idolize the demands and the to-dos that the world falsely proclaims will bring contentment. I also think life leaves us cynical concerning mankind because we neglect to look heavenward and rest in the glory and bliss of our King who promises to protect, sustain, and deliver us for all eternity. 

Truly, as the lyrics say, “May we never lose our wonder.”

3. "More to Me" Steffany Gretzinger 

I found this song shortly before the 2020 pandemic, and what a blessing it was—and continues to be. 

The lyrics are simple, which leaves you no choice but to deeply concentrate on them. Several times, they read: “Let me set a table/For the One that I love/This is my desire.”

Just as our Good Shepherd has related a table for us amidst our enemies (Psalm 23), we are to lovingly set a table for our Savior. No matter the chaos, anxiousness, fears, and enemies that surround us, our hearts should ready themselves for the presence and beauty of our good, good God.  

4. "Promises" Maverick City Music (feat. Joe L Barnes & Naomi Raine)

“Though the storms may come, and the winds may blow, I’ll remain steadfast. And let my heart learn when You speak a word, it will come to pass.” 

Whew! Those lyrics never fail to beautifully break into my over-anxious heart. 

When anxiety courses through us, it’s all too easy to forget that God’s promises didn’t stop with Abraham and Noah and Moses and David. Rather, they solidified His unchanging, forever faithful character. Hallelujah! 

5. "You’re Beautiful" Phil Whickham

This song was my lifeline shortly after my grandfather died. Its lyrics taught me that even in death, when we expect grief to consume us, grief can also be the gentle, kind reminder that heaven will reunite us with our believing loved ones, “where death is just a memory and tears are no more.”

Grief can too easily kindle bitterness and cynicism, which is why songs like these are vital for keeping our hearts and minds aligned with the truth of God’s promise of hope amid pain. 

6. Gospel Folk Essentials 2026 (Playlist) 

This has been a hard, trying year for my family, but one of the most spiritually steadying things I’ve found is this Gospel Folk Essentials Christian playlist on YouTube. 

It’s a compilation of folk songs with lyrics that blend quoted scripture with doctrinal truths. This five-hour soundtrack has been played countless times in my home, offering sweet, peaceful, uplifting bits of Scripture that both challenge and encourage the heart that’s enduring a hard, anxious season. 

(Bonus points that there are several soundtracks incredibly similar to this one, all available on YouTube.)

7. "The Blessing" by Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, and Elevation Worship

I remember the first time that I flew following the pandemic. I was mentally paralyzed by the idea of being surrounded by so many people in such tight quarters.

But this song got me through this fear, as so many songs by Kari Jobe do. The lyrics to this song are inspired by Numbers 6:24-26, Aaron’s traditional, famous blessing. 

No matter the mountain you face, this song is rooted in God’s promise of provision and protection. As it beautifully declares, “He is for you.”

8. "Famous For (I Believe)" by Tauren Wells

As New Testament believers, it’s easy for us to forget that we serve the God of the Old Testament, the God who did and still can part seas, shut the mouths of lions, and walk on water.  

We need such reminders when life makes us feel as though our worries will consume us. 

I challenge you to lean into this song when you feel that you will never be free of your anxiety and fear. 

“Bring dry bones to life and/Do what You are famous for/what You are famous for/I believe in you, God/I believe in You.”

9. "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" by Martin Luther

I’ll bookend my song list with another hymn, one that reminds us that regardless of what we face in this world, the victory is already ours through Christ our Lord:

“And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed his truth to triumph through us.”

I pray these songs are water in your wilderness, light in your darkest nights, and the victorious truth that conquers your biggest fears. 

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/BulatSilvia

Peyton Garland is an author, editor, and boy mama who lives in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee. Subscribe to her blog Uncured+Okay for more encouragement.