Christian Running Songs

In less than 48 hours I hope to have completed my first half marathon. I'm a little excited, a little nervous, a little bit ready, and praying that the rain does not pour down on us. Because it's a girly half marathon, I have carefully chosen my outfit, including the sparkly skirt I bought from the girls' department at K-mart. (A benefit to running so much is that I can actually fit into something from the girls department!)

Other than diligently training for the past few months, I have also prepped my songlist on my iPod. I'm not the most Apple-savvy person (seriously, I need lessons), but I have managed to get music from iTunes onto my iPod and we will be ready to roll on Saturday morning.

As I have selected my music for this run, I've done some Google searches for upbeat, positive, Christian music to keep me running for 13.1 miles, and I haven't found any lists that I really like, so I'm making my own to share with you.

Not all the songs I have chosen are Christian, but as someone whose strength comes from God, I feel like lyrics that point my heart and mind toward Him will also keep my body doing what it should do - in this case, running.

So here is my list in no particular order (and a note on why I like each song):

1. Irish Party in Third Class by Gaelic Storm (thanks to Alina for telling me about this band! Very upbeat!)

2. Jireh by Antioch Live (I remember Bethany P. playing this song at our church in TN)

3. All Your Promises by Lindell Cooley (another song from church in TN - the lyrics "we'll keep running after You" come at a good time when I'm on the run!)

4. Overcomer by Mandisa (upbeat and YES, I need to remember that I can overcome any challenge before me)

5. Counting on God by Desperation Band (need I say more? Counting on God- yes! Desperation- yes!)

6. Scalliwag by Gaelic Storm (nothing spiritual about this, but it's fun to listen to)

7. We Have Overcome by Israel & New Breed (once again OVERCOME is a key word)

8. We Will Go by Lisa Winans/Every Nation (she's the worship leader at our church in NC and this song has a great running beat)

9. This is What You Do by Bethel Music & William Matthews (the lyrics "You make me come alive" sure help me when I feel like I'm dying on the run!)

10. Deep Cries Out recorded by Life Community Church (overall a good worship song)

11. Hello Monday by Gaelic Storm (these guys sure do break up the worship music with some fun craziness)

12. Firework by Katie Perry (not the least bit spiritual but it reminds me of the little ones I nanny for who used to love to sing this song. Now they're into Let it Go which I refuse to listen to while I run.)

13. This Aint No Hobby by Mac Powell (when I discovered that the lead singer of Third Day had produced a country album I just had to have it)

14. Open Up Our Eyes by Elevation Worship (I blogged about this song recently - the lyrics "My God is fighting for me, I am not alone" sure encourage me!)

15. June Bug by Mac Powell (random happy song)

16. Sweet Georgia Girls by Mac Powell (yep, more random)

17. Stronger by Mandisa (the title speaks enough to a half-marathon!)

18. Wagon Wheel by Darius Rucker (again, not the least bit spiritual, but it has a nice beat, and he mentions Johnson City and Raleigh, my two previous hometowns)

19. Nothing is Impossible by Planetshakers (the title says enough)

20. Best Day of My Life (random happiness)

21. Write Your Story by Francesca Battistelli (she reminds me of my writing dreams as I run)

22, Press On by Mandisa (thank you, Mandisa, for songs that are great for a long run)

23. Happy Day by Kristian Stanfill (worship, good beat, and good lyrics)

24. He is Faithful by Bryan & Katie Torwalt (fabulous lyrics and a good beat)

25. I Will Exalt by Bethel Music & Amanda Cook (though it's a slower song, it came on recently as I was riding my bike and I found myself singing at the top of my lungs - thankfully I don't think anyone was around to hear me. I don't plan to sing when I run and I might have to skip this one if it's too slow during the half-marathon, but who knows, it might come at just the right moment)

26. Chasing You by Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson (it has a good beat and good lyrics to remind me that ultimately my life is about running after God)

27. Cornerstone by Hillsong (I just like this one!)

28. Wake by Hillsong (I'm not sure why I added this... but it has a great beat!)

29. One Thing Remains by Bethel Live (great song for pressing on)

30. Our God by Chris Tomlin (it's a good song, and it was in my music library already)

31. Come Thou Fount by David Crowder (a last-minute add, though it's quieter I like this hymn)

32. Ain't No Grave by David Crowder (this song is new to me)

33. Shores by Bryan & Katie Torwalt (yet another good song to keep me running!)

34. Shout Unto God by Michael W. Smith (overall a great song of worship)