181 Popular Songs About God

Secular Songs About Faith

My mother didn't see it coming when my 5-year-old nephew looked at her with big doe eyes and asked, "Nana, do you know God?" What a loaded question for a child to ask an agnostic. She replied that she had heard of Him, then changed the subject.

People rarely keep religion to themselves. They talk about spirituality with others whether it's welcomed or not. They broadcast their beliefs on bumper stickers and t-shirts. And yes, they certainly sing about it.

While we all know what to expect from a gospel song, you might not expect faith to infuse pop, rock, and country songs as much as it does. But listen closely because it's there. Popular singers are no exception to proselytizing. There is plenty of prayer, witnessing for Christ, and talking to God in secular music.

Make a playlist of inspirational secular songs about God, faith and church, if that's the way you roll. And if not, then make this an intellectual challenge to see how many of these pop, rock, and country songs you've heard of. We won't judge, either way.

1. "Something in the Water" by Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood is no stranger to mixing her music with her religion. She grew up singing in chuch. This 2015 crossover hit won a Grammy and topped both the country and Christian charts. It describes the change that took place in a young woman's life after she was baptized.

2. "Believe" by Brooks & Dunn

In this 2005 country ditty, a narrator recalls an influential old man from his childhood who was a faithful follower of Christ. The man has recently died, leaving the narrator to reflect on life and the everafter:

I can't quote the Book
The chapter or the verse
You can't tell me it all ends
In a slow ride in a hearse.

3. "What If God Was One of Us?" by Joan Osborne

Look for some thought-provoking questions in this 1995 rock release by Joan Osborne, a one-hit-wonder. It'll make you think about how you treat other people. The underlying message is that God is in us all, imperfect as we may each be.

4. "You Found Me" by The Fray

The narrator in this 2008 rock release sees God on a street corner and confronts Him about not being there when tragedies struck. He feels abandoned and is searching for answers about why bad things happen to good people.

5. "Back to God" by Reba McEntire

Country singer Reba McEntire puts her faith front and center with this 2017 single. It urges others who are experiencing heartbreak, disappointment, and life tragedies to give the world back to God.

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Reba divorced her husband of 26 years in late 2015, and he began a serious relationship with one of her couple's friends. Ouch.

6. "What I've Done" by Linkin Park

The narrator in this hard rock ditty from 2007 seeks forgiveness and a break with the sins of the past. He regrets past actions and wants a clean slate: "Let mercy come and wash away what I've done."

7. "My Church" by Maren Morris

If you don't go to church, this 2016 country tune may make you want to. The narrator acknowledges that she has cussed, cheated, and lied but finds redemption when she listens to country music. Call her spiritual but not religious.

8. "When I Get Where I'm Going" by Brad Paisley (Featuring Dolly Parton)

In this 2005 country single, the narrator is looking forward to the day when he can shed the early struggles and pain that have been weighing him down in this life. He hopes that when he meets his Maker, he will sing with the angels, see his loved ones that have passed on, and stand in the light forever.

9. "Arms Wide Open" by Creed

When my daughter was born, I felt transformed because I wasn't just living for myself anymore. I had another person depending on me for survival and mentoring.

The birth of one's first child is an awe-inspiring, life changing event, and this 2000 rock tune won a Grammy Award for good reason. It portrays a new father's earnest prayer to teach his child how to embrace the world with arms wide open.

10. "God's Will" by Martina McBride

The narrator in this 2004 country ditty recounts meeting and getting to know a physically disabled child who was selfless in that he prayed for everyone but himself. His faithful devotion to God showed this woman the truth.

11. "I Can Only Imagine" by Wyonna Judd

Wyonna Judd gets choked up when she sings this touching 2005 country single. It was first recorded by Christian rock group MercyMe and crossed over to mainstream charts.

The tune describes the hopeful wondering of what it will be like when the narrator stands before God:

Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus, or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing "Hallelujah," will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.

12. "Jesus Take the Wheel" by Carrie Underwood

Driving home on a snowy night with her infant in the backseat, a young mother loses control of her car. Fortunately, they both survive the incident, and she credits Jesus for steering her to safety. Immediately following the harrowing event, she recommits herself to Christ, letting Him take the wheel in steering her life.

This 2005 country ballad was Carrie Underwood's first single on her debut album, and it won two Grammy Awards. Carrie Underwood was the 2005 winner of the fourth season of American Idol competition.

13. "Brother" by Needtobreathe (Featuring Gavin DeGraw)

The Christian rock band Needtobreathe achieved this crossover hit in 2015 with this heartfelt tune. It describes the loving kinship that exists between fellow human beings—a comraderie that mirrors God's love for humanity:

Brother, let me be your shelter
Never leave you all alone
I can be the one you call
When you’re low.

14. "Shine" by Collective Soul

This uplifting rock number from 1993 is a prayer in which the narrator asks God to show him a sign. He asks that the Holy Spirit's light shine down on him from heaven and teach him the way.

In a sad irony, the shooter in the Virginia Tech Massacre reportedly listened to this song obsessively and even scrawled some of its lyrics on his dorm room wall. Allowing that tragedy to be this song's legacy betrays the pure and spiritual message of this lovely song.

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15. "I Saw God Today" by George Strait

In this 2008 country tune, a new father leaves the hospital where his daughter was just born and sees the fingerprints of God everywhere. Viewing the sunset and a flower pushing up through the cracks of a sidewalk, he sees the entire world through a brand new lens.