Sometimes you just need a little… encouragement! As worship leaders, we have an important job. It’s a very visible and upfront role, but not many understand the behind-the-scenes duties that go into leading a church body in worship week in and week out. And one of the most important things to take care of as a worship leader is our own hearts.
When doing all the things from pastoring team members to putting together engaging worship media to engaging with the congregation from the platform during services, it’s important to keep our relationship with Jesus at the center of it all. We hope these 21 encouraging Bible verses for worship leaders will feed your soul as they did ours.
1) Psalm 103:2 (NLT)
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
As one person who carried out many activities that we can identify as modern worship leaders, David’s roots were established in His personal rejoicing, lamenting, and high praise for the Lord. This verse from David’s Psalms reminds us of the simplest yet deepest praise.
2) 1 Corinthians 2:12 (NLT)
And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.
We encourage you to read this whole chapter in Corinthians. This verse offers the ultimate encouragement for worship leaders in the truth that we don’t have to rely on ourselves to perform our duties of serving God and His people (thank goodness). We have the Spirit of God Himself to help us understand His heart and operate in our calling.
3) Philippians 2:17 (NLT)
But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.
As worship leaders, we can rejoice in the faith and victories of God’s people who we are entrusted with leading. As we pour into them and pour out to God as a sacrifice, we can rejoice in our purpose being completed!
4) Titus 3:5 (NLT)
He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
This verse is encouraging for worship leaders and every Christian. The pressure is removed – it’s not by the righteous things we’ve done, but by the mercy of God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit that we are saved, and empowered to do His ministry.
5) Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
When we feel like we’re running on fumes and struggling to accomplish all we are tasked with (managing our worship teams and carrying out all our responsibilities within our churches), let us hold onto this truth in Isaiah 40:31.
6) Exodus 15:2 (NLT)
The Lord is my strength and my song; He has given me victory.
This is my God, and I will praise him — my father’s God, and I will exalt him!
God promises us that He will be our strength AND our song. That’s great news for us as worship leaders! We get to live out our song (many songs) of thanks and victory before the Lord in every aspect of what we do.
7) Acts 1:8 (NLT)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere — in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
It is encouraging for worship leaders to know that the power of the Holy Spirit gives us the tools we need to be leaders in our churches. The same power that enabled the believers in Acts to be bold witnesses for Jesus also enables us to be messengers of hope and facilitators of worship.
8) Galatians 6:9 (NLT)
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
A favorite verse for many, this especially encouraging verse for worship leaders applies to almost any part of our lives, whether it be our work, our families, or personal journeys. Galatians 6:9 is a simple reminder to stay steadfast as we work towards our goals.
9) John 16:33 (NLT)
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
In this passage in John, Jesus encourages His followers that although they will face many challenges in their ministry to come, He has already overcome everything they could face. Like the early disciples, Jesus will give us the strength to overcome earthly trials and accomplish our mission by His victory.
10) Ephesians 1:11 (NLT)
Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
God always has the best for us in mind. From the very beginning, He had good things prepared for us and we can rest in the fact that even when things seem too challenging for us to succeed, everything will work out the way He has planned!
11) Romans 8:28 (NLT)
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
We can count on one thing– even if things are rough in the process, the end result will always come back to what’s good for us who love God. Let us always strive to partner with God to achieve HIs best for us!
12) Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.
When we’re tempted to react in panic when fear comes our way, we can stand on the promise that God goes ahead of us. What better way to muster up strength and courage… Not from within ourselves, but from the confidence we have in God!
13) 1 Timothy 4:10 (NLT)
This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.
Our hope in the living God, Jesus Christ, surpasses all! We should always remember this hope in our Savior as we continue to work out our calling as worship leaders and church leaders.
14) Matthew 21:21 (NLT)
Then Jesus told them, I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen.
All things are possible with God! When we apply the mindset that Jesus teaches in this verse to our ministry as worship leaders, we will teach our teams and our congregations to operate fully in faith and without the limits of the world.
15) Matthew 6:34 (NLT)
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
This passage offers a philosophy of life and ministry that’s encouraging for worship leaders, pastors, and everyone! Dealing with things as they arise instead of contemplating future troubles is a much less stressful way to accomplish what God has put in front of us to do.
16) Psalm 94:19 (NLT)
When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.
God is the ultimate comfort. When our minds become consumed with fear and doubt, and even worry, as we talked about with the last verse, the way to conquer it is to take it to the Lord and let Him renew our hope. This is a practice we can continually lead our churches into to encourage them as well!
17) Phillipians 4:7 (NLT)
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Carrying everything to God in prayer activates His promise to provide peace beyond understanding. And that peace will surround us, going before and coming behind us to guard us in everything we do!
18) Joshua 1:9 (NLT)
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Carrying everything to God in prayer activates His promise to provide peace beyond understanding. And that peace will surround us, going before and coming behind us to guard us in everything we do!
19) 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
Through the power of God’s Spirit in us, we can walk in boldness instead of timidness, knowing we have nothing to be afraid of. As we approach difficult situations in our lives or leadership situations, we can trust God to give us the self-discipline we need.
20) Romans 6:4 (NLT)
For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
As Christians, our lives model the life of Christ. Because of the power of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we can claim His victory and build our lives on it. It’s a great privilege for worship leaders to encourage others to respond to this gift with praise.
21) Psalm 73:26 (NLT)
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.
When our own strength does fail, the strength of God always remains. At the core of our faith and our mission as worship leaders is the hope that Jesus is ours forever. He is the solid rock that we will stand on forever.
If you’re a worship leader looking for a little encouragement, we hope these empowering Bible verses for worship leaders will help you as you carry the responsibility of leading God’s Church. Let the simultaneous power and peace of God wash over you and lift you up as you walk out your priestly calling.
While we’ve listed some short verses of encouragement, we hope you’ll dig deep and explore the entire passages these verses are in to let the full truth of these scriptures encourage you in your worship leading (and ultimately Christ-following) journey!
