Skip to main content

"Listen to Our Hearts" by Avery Stafford: When Words Fall Short of Worship


Have you ever felt something that is so profound that you can't find the right words to describe it? How do you explain a love "that goes from east to west and runs as deep as it is wide"? How do you describe something as simple as the flavor of a strawberry? That's the beautiful tension that Avery Stafford sings about in his cover of the song "Listen To Our Hearts." 

Avery Stafford - Listen to Our Hearts (Radio Edit)"Listen To Our Hearts" is a classic praise and worship song written by Geoff Moore and Steven Curtis Chapman. Avery Stafford recorded it for his album "Undignified" in 2004, after discussing it with a friend following a worship concert. His friend was impressed by the jazz-influenced version of this beloved song and encouraged Avery to consider recording it. This recording features Tony Bolivar (saxophone). Until now, "Listen To Our Hearts" had never been released to radio. 

The lyrics are about the moment when our words fall short, when even "a thousand years" wouldn't be enough to express our gratitude and awe. "Words are not enough to tell You of our love." Our God is able to hear beyond our limitations. He knows "all our hopes" and "all our fears," and He listens to our heart. 

That doesn't mean that we can sit back and think that there is no need to praise because God can hear our heart! The song reminds us that true worship doesn't require perfect words. It's your heart-cry that really matters. May this rendition of the song help you discover how your wordless devotion actually creates the most beautiful song.

(Related scripture: Psalm 51:17; Psalm 139:23–24; 1 Samuel 16:7)

Connect with Avery Stafford

Would you like to hear more CCM music? Then check out our Christian playlists on: https://www.christiandance.eu/playlists

PS: Did you know that the posts we have on Christian Music Today also contain the backstories that artists have shared with us? Check it out on: https://christianmusictoday.eu/

Tags:

Popular posts

"Fishers of Men" by Tyler Philip Ratcliffe: Dropping Your Nets and Following Without Looking Back

Jesus doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.  “Fishers of Men” by Tyler Philip Ratcliffe was written back in July of 2024. It was the first Christian folk-style song that Tyler had ever written, and he had no idea at the time that God was going to pull him in that direction. It’s a favorite among his friends and family, and God recently laid it on his heart to share it with the rest of the world.  The song draws from the ordinary moments when Jesus walked up to fishermen and tax collectors and said two words that changed everything: “Follow Me.”   What strikes you in the lyrics is the honesty. “My friends thought I was crazy, and my folks just shook their heads.” Following Jesus has always looked strange from the outside. Peter left a fishing business. Matthew walked away from a lucrative government post. Neither of these men had it all figured out, but they simply responded to a call they couldn’t ignore.  Maybe you also know that feeling. The moment ...
More >>

"Is Anybody There? (Psalm 27)" by Stephen M. Miller: Holding On to Grace at Heaven’s Door

Stephen M. Miller's "Is Anybody There? (Psalm 27)" comes in the quiet aftermath of the Christmas celebrations, when reflection can feel like isolation. Stephen's song isn't about polishing away his mistakes, nor does it encourage you to do so with your mistakes. Stephen shares his painful experience, "I never saw it coming Lord // It felt right but it was wrong // Family and friends have left me // But I still have you and a song."   Stephen owns the fallout of his actions, taking accountability without despair. "I said it and I did it, Lord // Broke more hearts than I'll ever know // I can't fix this, though I've tried // Don't be angry, and please don't go." His song is a prayer for God's presence and guidance. "Hear me when I call you, Lord // Don't turn your face away // Don't give up on me like others have // Come help me through this day." Stephen describes a fear that we too experience when we ...
More >>

Ryan Stevenson - Carry Me (CCM)

Ryan Stevenson’s song ‘Carry Me’ is a powerful and emotive plea for help and guidance, and a reminder of the transformative power of faith. The lyrics are deeply personal and relatable, touching on themes of weariness, loneliness, and uncertainty. The song is a testament to the power of prayer and the strength we can find when we surrender our burdens to God. Stevenson’s own story of finding his way to a deeper understanding of grace and God’s love gives the song even more resonance. The honesty and vulnerability with which he shares his struggles and doubts will resonate with anyone who has faced similar challenges in their own life. The music itself is a beautiful and stirring blend of keyboard, guitar, and electronic elements, creating a haunting and atmospheric sound that perfectly complements the lyrics. The chorus is particularly powerful, with Stevenson’s voice rising to a crescendo as he cries out for help and support. If you’re feeling lost or overwhelmed, or simply need a rem...
More >>