Worship Songs About Waiting

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Perfect For The Advent Season Or All Year Long

Bring more meaning to a Christ-centered Christmas by adding these 7 worship songs to your playlist. Watch God work in the waiting!

While I have long loved the Christmas season, as I started embracing Advent, I now love it even more!

Way back in the early church days, Advent was celebrated as a season of waiting and included the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas. Advent is all about quiet reflection as well as anticipation.

The Significance Of Waiting

The Bible is filled with stories of God’s people waiting. Whether for years, decades, or generations, God always worked in the waiting. With today’s fast-paced society, most of us hate to wait. And we miss the God of waiting.

Advent holds a dual meaning of waiting. While our first thoughts go to the Christ-child born in a manger, our waiting isn’t over. We are still waiting for His Second Coming. And God is still at work in the waiting.

There were hundreds of years of silence in between the Old and the New Testaments. Generations of God’s chosen people waited for deliverance and the promised Savior of the World.

And here I am today, frustrated with insignificant wait times:

2-day wait for an Amazon delivery
20-minute wait at the doctor’s office
5-minute wait in line at the grocery store

God Works In Our Waiting

Whether you are waiting at a stoplight, waiting for test results, waiting those long months of pregnancy, or waiting for retirement, God is at work. Not just in the end result, but also in the waiting.

Add these 8 worship songs to your playlist.
Be thoughtful during your times of waiting.
And pay attention to how God works in your waiting.

A special note to fellow worship leaders:

All these songs can be found in Song Select and used legally in your worship services if you have a CCLI license. I’m including the CCLI Song number especially for you!

For more on other ways to celebrate Advent, click: 8 Worship Ideas To Celebrate The Meaning Of Advent

Looking for something fresh and new for the holiday season?

Check out the Blue Christmas Pack & the Advent Worship Pack!

1. While I Wait, Lincoln Brewster

CCLI Song # 7107364 (2018)

If you are facing life disappointment, this song is a great reminder that even in the dark, God has still overcome. While God is always at work, His timing is not our timing. “’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8).

We are called to live by faith. Even while we wait.

Deep inside my heart I know You’ve won

I know You’ve overcome

And even in the dark when I’m undone

I still believe

I live by faith and not by sight

Sometimes miracles take time

While I wait I will worship

Lord I’ll worship Your name

While I Wait, by Lincoln Brewster and Mitch Wong.

2. It Is Well, Bethel Worship

CCLI Song # 7021972 (2013)

The theme of ‘waiting’ is undeniable throughout this song.

We are waiting for God to move the mountain and calm the sea … even when our eyes can’t see.

The melding of the imagery into the traditional hymn It Is Well is moving and unforgettable.

Grander earth has quaked before

Moved by the sound of His voice

Seas that are shaken and stirred

Can be calmed and broken for my regard

Through it all through it all

My eyes are on You

Through it all through it all

It is well

It Is Well, Horatio Gates Spafford, Kristene DiMarco, Philip Paul Bliss

3. O Come, O Come Emmanuel

CCLI Song # 31982

How can we not embrace this classic Christmas carol? Sadly, its gloomy minor key kept it off my favorites list for a while. But as I learned more about the Israelite people and how their journey is also mine, my love grew for this message.

As you worship with this one, ask yourself: What holds you captive? What keeps you from seeking Him more? And ask God to come, and meet you there.

O come O come Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel, by John Mason Neale and Thomas Helmore

4. While I’m Waiting, John Waller

CCLI Song # 4926900 (2007)

This song became popular after being featured in the Christian movie, Fireproof. However, it was written years before by a songwriter who did a lot of waiting on God.

This song encourages us not just to worship in the waiting but also to serve God in the waiting. The message is timeless.

I’m waiting – I’m waiting on You Lord

And I am peaceful – I’m waiting on You Lord

Though it’s not easy – But faithfully I will wait

Yes I will wait

While I’m waiting I will serve You

While I’m waiting I will worship

While I’m waiting I will not faint

I will not faint

While I’m Waiting, by John Waller

5. Wait For You, Worship Central

CCLI Song # 5988514 (2011)

Why have I never heard this song before? Gosh, this is my prayer.

In the restless world we live in, full of distraction, let’s take this message to heart. Get yourself in a quiet place and close your eyes with this one. Your life will change if you start and end your days with this song.

My heart is restless – Let peace wash over me

Lost in distractions – But You God I will seek

I will wait for You – I will wait for You

Let my heart be still for You are God

Wait For You, by Luke Hellebronth, Nikki Fletcher, and Tim Hughes.

6. Waiting Here For You, Chris Tomlin

CCLI Song # 5925663 (2011)

Worship has a way of centering us, quieting us, and even changing our perspectives. Instead of waiting in frustration and impatience, this song reminds us to worship in the waiting.

Not only can we plead with God to move the mountains, but we can expect Him to move in us.

If you haven’t heard this worship song yet, you are missing out!

If faith can move the mountains – Let the mountains move

We come with expectation – Waiting here for You

Waiting here for You with our hands lifted high in praise

And it’s You we adore – Singing alleluia

Waiting Here For You, by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves and Martin Smith.

7. You’ll Come, Hillsong

CCLI Song # 5012583 (2007)

This song is an upbeat choice in this collection. Hillsong approaches the theme of waiting with resolve and determined hope.

Great song to start your mornings during the Advent season!

We are not shaken we are not moved

We wait upon You Lord

Mighty deliverer triumph and truth

We wait upon You Lord …

As surely as the sun will rise

You’ll come to us

Certain as Your word endures

You’ll Come, by Brooke Ligertwood

Bonus Song

8. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

CCLI Song # 31999

While not as popular as other traditional Christmas carols, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus embraces joyful hope and anticipation. As Jesus releases us from our fears and sins, we find not only rest but also joy in Him.

While most recordings of this song have only 2 verses, I’m loving this version by Red Mountain Music with 4 verses in total.

Come Thou long expected Jesus

Born to set Thy people free

From our fears and sins release us

Let us find our rest in Thee

Israel’s strength and consolation

Hope of all the earth Thou art

Dear desire of every nation

Joy of every longing heart

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, by Charles Wesley and Rowland Hugh Prichard