Most of us have probably heard the classic salvation statement before "repent from your sin and receive Jesus into your heart." I know I did. As true as this statement is, it took me a while to understand what repentance looked like. It's not only a salvation prayer but also a lifestyle to lay our lives down on the cross to follow Jesus. Repentance changes us and humbles us to step into the life God calls us to.
As 1 John 1:9 reads: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." It's a process of honesty, surrender, and turning away from any idols that may unknowingly take place in us. I'm honored to share with you eight songs that can help lead you into moments of repentance and surrender before the Father.
Gable Price & Friends - "Repentance"
Repentance is both a beautiful and vulnerable process. It takes a lot of honesty and songwriting skill to create music that demonstrates it. Joined by worship leader Cory Asbury, alternative rock band Gable Price and Friends achieve that feat with their deeply moving song, "Repentance."
As humans, we make mistakes. We run to things that we think will fill us and lead us to the best way for ourselves, forgetting Jesus. I know I'm guilty of this action. Sadly, we all have found things before that we've built our lives in and goals we idolized. And no matter how far we've pushed away God's love and how much we need Him, He's waiting for us. It doesn't take a complicated response. He just wants to hear our honest sorry, our honest repentance, and our honest love. He'll meet you in those moments and His love is right there waiting for you.
"I built my kingdom high/A babel of modern day/I lost the throne I built on my own/You loved me just the same/This is my repentance/I’m sorry/I love You/I’m coming home"
Hillsong Worship - "Fresh Wind"
Mega worship band Hillsong Worship has impacted millions with their songs of surrender, worship, and praise globally for decades. Their hit 2021 single, "Fresh Wind," continues the group's impact with a personal prayer of worship. The song is a call for God to move and pour out His Spirit in a fresh way.
"Fresh Wind" is a simple song of surrender for God to move. We can see over our nations and communities--and even our families--where we need God to move. Before we see that revival breakout, there must be repentance for us to receive it. God wants nothing more than to pour out His presence but if our hearts are filled with sin, pride, and selfish desires, we could miss out on what He wants to do in us. When we turn away from the hindrances in our lives and surrender to Him, He changes us, heals us, and restores us in the breath of His power and grace.
"As we repent, turn from sin/Revival embers smoldering/Breath of God/Fan us into flame/We need a fresh wind/The fragrance of heaven/Pour Your Spirit out"
Tenth Avenue North - "I Confess"
When contemporary Christian band Tenth Avenue North released their album, Followers. Oddly enough, I listened to the album, but found myself skipping the song, "I Confess," almost every time. It wasn't until several years later when I revisited the album that I listened to the song. The simple but profound message hit me and brought me to personal repentance.
Nothing compares to Jesus. Yet, we find ourselves daily struggling with sin. It may be an addiction, a trait you've lived with, or a part of the lifestyle you're walking in. But you'll eventually find yourself needing Him to become your first love again. He understands the struggle and He's waiting for you to honestly cry out to Him. That's the beauty of repentance. He knows and loves you still. That's the truth that wrecked my heart years ago that I skipped over for so long. You can come back to Him, He's there for you and has so much in store.
"I confess I admit, I looked for life outside of You/I repent, I'm coming back to the only joy that's true/I don't want to look in a stranger's eyes/When I come into this place/Let me grow familiar with the lines/The lines upon Your face"
Cory Asbury - "The Prodigal Song"
In Luke 15, Jesus tells us the story of the Prodigal Son. It's one of the most famous parables in the Bible and one of the deepest stories of repentance that we all share. The son left his father and lived his life alone recklessly until he ended up with nothing. At rock bottom, he humbly returned to his father.
Many of us can relate to this story. The rock bottom we hit may look different, but it comes with the same pain of knowing how far we are from the destiny that God has for us. We don't even have to hit rock bottom to know that we've slowly taken steps away from Him. We need to run back into His arms. The first time I heard contemporary artist Cory Asbury's song, "The Prodigal Song," I was in that place of knowing I was falling and needed to come back home to Jesus. This song beautifully expresses the journey of repentance, and the restoration Jesus has for every prodigal heart.
"Father, I miss You/My heart is ready now/To follow the sound/The sound of Your voice/That echoes inside/Father I'm desperate/I lost my way somehow/I follow the truth/The truth of Your love/Back into the light/Lead me back home"
We The Kingdom - "Holy Water"
If you've kept up with Christian music in the past few years, you've probably heard of contemporary Christian band We The Kingdom and their smash hit "Holy Water." There's something about this song that carries the powerful message of God's grace along with a joyful sound of repentance.
God isn't a judgy angry ruler like many people make Him out to be. He isn't someone who looks to punish you or me because of the sin in our lives. He's a loving Father who runs to us with arms wide open in forgiveness. As we repent, He sets us free and washes us in the waters of His grace. Repentance, although powerful and convicting, is something to celebrate. It's a process of being free and redeemed, whether it's for the first time or the millionth, His mercy is new for us all.
"God, I need you/Your forgiveness/Is like sweet, sweet honey on my lips/Like the sound of a symphony to my ears/Like Holy water on my skin"
Casting Crowns - "Start Right Here"
Christian music mainstays Casting Crowns have never shied from tackling tough topics in their music. On their 2018 album, Only Jesus, they released "Start Here," a convicting and rallying song of repentance for the Church.
"Pop-culture Christianity," as I call it, is something I'm sure most of us have fallen victim to. It's where we, instead of following the way of Jesus, do what is most convenient and comfortable. Being a Christian isn't just a nice label, it's a life lived out in surrender to Jesus. A life dedicated to reaching others with His life-changing love. Before we see revival, we, as the Church must repent from how we lived in our own chosen pathways, instead of loving how Jesus loved. Echoing 2 Chronicles 7:12, this song is a powerful reminder to continually humble ourselves before God.
"We're the people who are called by His name/If we'll surrender all our pride and turn from our ways/He will hear from heaven and forgive our sin/He will heal our land but it starts right here"
Mitch Wong - "Repent"
One of the most in-demand songwriters in Christian music, Mitch Wong's gift of leading worship is something I always look forward to hearing. After stepping down as a member of the Australian worship group Planetshakers (if you know me, you know I had to give a shoutout to my favorite band), he released his 2022 debut EP, featuring the song "Repent (What A Joy It Is)."
There is joy in repentance. As I previously mentioned, God is a loving Father. In the story of the prodigal son, the father didn't stand and wait. The father saw his son coming back, ran full of joy to meet him, embraced him, and threw a party for everyone that his son had returned. For the prodigal son, and even for our prodigal journeys, the love of the Father is freeing, resurrecting, and merciful. We turn to Him because He loves us and has so much in store if we receive it. It's a joy to repent, knowing His heart is for us.
"Your mercy brings me to my knees/Your faithfulness is with me till the end/Your kindness makes me want to repent/Jesus I repent/I'm turning from sin/I'm turning to Christ/What a joy it is to follow You"
VOUS Worship - "I Need Revival"
This song has a special place in my heart. I discovered VOUS Worship last year when they released their debut album, I Need Revival. During that time, I was going through a legal battle, family issues, and several other things that were weighing on me. I was stressed out and, honestly, I was running to find an answer in anything but Jesus. When I first heard this song, I cried. I remember being overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit, falling to my knees, and crying out to God in repentance and full surrender.
When we reach those places of running by our strength, we fail. That's why we need Jesus and His presence to revive us. This song has been my song of repentance and surrender for the Holy Spirit to fill me. Nothing else will satisfy or restore you like Jesus. Let His presence draw you to repentance, whatever it may look like, and receive His revival.
"God I surrender/Lord here I am/Still in Your presence/I lift up my hands/Come, Holy Spirit/Fill me again/I need revival"
Bradden Ford is a Christian music junkie charged with maintaining NewReleaseToday's new release database of artists and releases. He lives just outside of Nashville, Tennessee.
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