There are literally dozens of beautiful songs on the themes of mercy, reconciliation, forgiveness and repentance that would be perfect for the season. We do have a few firm favourites though – the songs that are always at the acme of the listing when nosotros are planning a service of reconciliation.

These songs work well before or later on an test of conscience; or during an open time of opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation; or just equally office of your ain prayer journeying during – especially during Lent.

Although about parishes will find themselves jubilant Lent in lockdown for a second fourth dimension in 2021, these songs can all the same be incorporated into masses and prayer times through remote recording or by playing the songs during online liturgies.

Information technology'due south pretty difficult to pick an accented favourite – these songs are very dissimilar. While some are corking congregational songs, others are ameliorate as solos or choir songs. So, to make this simple we've listed them in alphabetical guild.  Hither goes…

1. COME BACK TO ME by Gregory Norbet

Based on Hosea, this 80'southward folk hymnal classic got a modern re-working on theBoyce and Stanley albumAge to Age Ii – The Journey Continues and remains a great gathering song for reconciliation services.

"Long accept I waited for yous coming abode to me
and living deeply our new life."

In this song, equally in the book of Hosea, a wayward people is invited to return to God, who waits for us every bit the Bridegroom awaits his Bride.

Recorded on the Boyce & Stanley album Age to Age II: The Journey Continues
 Mind to Come Back to Me on Spotify
 From the Boyce & Stanley Anthology Age to Age II: The Journey Continues (Available on iTunes)

two. Begetter I Have SINNED (THE PRODIGAL SON) past Eugene O'Reilly CSsR

Every Lent this is i of the virtually searched-for songs on our website.  Information technology's a elementary song, based on the story of the Prodigal Son and has actually stood the test of time.  Each of the verses is take on the Prodigal'due south well-rehearsed plea for forgiveness –"I will become to my father and say I take sinned against heaven and against y'all" {Luke fifteen:eighteen}

In the chorus we hear the echo of the Male parent'southward merciful response:

"I forgive you, I love you
y'all are mine, take my hand
Go in peace, sin no more
Dearest one"

Chord Sheet is bachelor here
Sheet Music is available here
 Bachelor in the CJM MUSICRejoice 'north' Sing Collection

three. I Vest by Kathryn Scott

Based onRomans 8:38-39, this song gently reminds united states that no circumstance or sin tin can dissever united states from the dear of God. And it reminds us whose we are. We fall into sin when nosotros forget that we are His, and we get distracted by the many temptations, demands and challenges of life.

"Nothing tin can take me
from your slap-up love
Forever this truth remains
I belong, I belong to yous…"

Singing this simple refrain "I belong, I belong to you" is like the cry of the Dissipated overwhelmed in the loving embrace of a Forgiving Male parent. Just beautiful.

Jo Boyce'due south estimation of this song features on her debut solo EP In God Alone as a moving duet with drummer and guitarist, Emily Clark.

Recorded on the Jo Boyce EPIn God Alone
 Mind to In God Lone on Spotify
 From the Jo Boyce EPIn God Alone (Available on iTunes)

four. KYRIE ELEISON by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

We love this song for the call to justice inspired past the verses.  It reminds u.s.a. that we sin not simply past what we practice, but also past what weneglect to do for those about in need in our globe. It's also a dandy vocal for helping us to focus our works of justice, charity and alms-giving.

Equally we come earlier You
With the needs of our earth,
We confess our failures and our sin,
For our words are many
Nevertheless our deeds take been few;
Fan the fire of compassion
Once again.

The beautiful refrain, with its South African influence, can also be used alone as a sung response.

Kyrie Eleison (Audio Sample)

 Heed to Kyrie Eleison on Spotify
 From the Keith & Kristyn Getty album Hymns for the Christian Life (Available on iTunes)

5. MAKE ME HOLY by Aaron Thompson

This song is prayer that God will transform u.s.a. and make us holy and he is holy. It'due south a powerful prayer when we consider that the words heal, whole and holy accept the same root.

"Redecorate me from within
Refurnish me with sacredness
rebuit me with a yearning love for you"

Many times in the scripture God promises to cleanse, heal and restore us. He promises to have our hearts of stone and requite united states of america hearts of flesh {Ezekiel 36:26}. All we have to do is come up before him with humble, contrite centre, ready to change.

Chord Sheet is available here
Recorded on CJM MUSIC'due southHow Can Nosotros Keep From Singing?: Book 2

6. REMEMBER NOT THE THINGS OF THE Past by Bod Hurd

Inspired by Isaiah 43:eighteen, this vocal reminds us of God's redeeming activity prefigured in the Erstwhile Testament and brought to completion in Jesus' cede on the Cantankerous.

Remember non the things of the past,
at present I exercise something new…
Do you lot not meet it?

Just as God led his people out of slavery in Arab republic of egypt, the promise of the New Covenant is that he will lead us now, out of darkness and sin, to new life in Christ.

Sheet Musicis bachelor here
Recorded on CJM MUSIC'due southHow Tin can Nosotros Keep From Singing?: Volume 3

7. SHOW MERCY by Jo Boyce

This song was written as thePenitential Rite for the Soli Mass (earlier the 2010 revised translation).  The three verses follow a Trinitarian formula – focussing start on the forgiving mercy of the Father; then the loving sacrifice of the Son, and the healing action of the Spirit.

"Bear witness mercy to u.s. loving Father
We have sinned against you,
please make us anew…"

This setting remains a firm favourite because of the accessible tune – simple enough for a whole congregation of all ages to sing.

Sheet Music is available here
Recorded on CJM MUSIC'sRejoice 'due north' Sing Collection

8. Song OF THE PRODIGALby Jo Boyce

In many ways this is Peter's song.  The song of the disciple who is declaring their beloved of the Lord 1 minute and conveniently denying the Lord with their next jiff.

Only notwithstanding I get out you Lord
and get walking my own fashion;
I don't deserve you, Lord…

Although we desperately want to be faithful disciples, we spend so much of our time beingness Reluctant Discple'south(as our friend David Wells puts information technology in his book), forever on a journey of repentance and re-conversion.

Chord Sheet is available hither
Canvas Music is available here
Recorded on CJM MUSIC'due southRejoice 'n' Sing Drove

9. Plow MY Centre by Marty Haugen

There are a couple other Marty Haugen songs we could accept listen hither – Return to God and Come, Let us Return to the Lord (run across how nosotros sneaked them in anyhow…) We chose Turn My Heart over the others considering of the accessiblelitany-way verses.

Turn My Heart by Marty Haugen

 From the Marty Haugen Anthology Plough My Heart (Available on iTunes)
 Heed toTurn My Heart on Spotify

10. WERE I THE PERFECT Kidby John L. Bong

These wonderful words are prepare to a traditional Scottish melody. In that location'due south a lovely version recorded past Tony Alonso and Michael Mahler on the anthologySongs from Another Room.  The commencement verse concedes how our imperfect homo nature foils all our all-time attempts to be faithful disciples of Christ.

"Were I the perfect child of God
Whose organized religion was deep and love was broad,
Non doubtful, guilty, worn or flawed,
I'd gladly follow Jesus."

  Listen toWere I the Perfect Child on Spotify
 From the Tony Alonso & Michael Mahler Album Songs from Some other Room (Available on iTunes)

We could proceed…

At that place are and so many others we could share, but these 10 are a great starting betoken. Music is such a powerful fashion to turn hearts and minds towards God. Many of these songs have moved us to tears on various occasions over the years. We pray that they will motion you as well, equally y'all feel the embrace of a loving and merciful Father.

What are your favourite songs of mercy and reconciliation? Nosotros'd dear to hear from you in the comments below…