What is Vocal Sabbath? When Easter is past, and your voice tired, how do you move forward? Many worship leaders experience a let down after the big spiritual events of the year. Do you ever feel like that? Learn more about how to rejuvenate your tired voice and refresh both your vocal mechanisms and your spirit. “He leads me beside quiet water; He restores my soul”- Psalm 23:2-3
I pray you had a glorious Resurrection Day!
(Or Christmas, or any other large Spiritual celebration!)
Were there bands, choirs and children singing?
Were the seats and pews overflowing with family and friends that don’t always make it to church the rest of the year?
Was it exciting?
- Oh Glorious Day!
For my vocalists out there, did you sing with all your heart yesterday for Easter?
I know I did!
NW Mission Center Praise Team
Choir in song!
Julie Kinscheck Canaan Land
Julie Kinscheck- Agnus Dei
For some of you there were numerous special events on Thursday, Friday and Saturday… multiple services on Sunday; and before that, many rehearsals for choirs and praise bands and plays. Was that what your week was like?
Is your voice tired?
Are you just flat TIRED all over?
- Remember the Connection!
We must always remember that our voice is part of our body; and like every other muscle, it needs rest!
The day after I go to the gym, I am often sore. If I worked my stomach muscles really hard, next time I may focus more on legs to give my gut a rest.
After a gig or big service, I can also hurt. Singing IS a full body sport! We use our core and often arms and legs as well as our vocal cords. On top of that, we pour out our souls. If we don’t, we missed an opportunity. But that is exhausting!
And for those of us that come EVERY Sunday, we might hope that Easter (and Christmas) bring us a deeper connection than usual, (and the thrill of the pageantry can contribute to that for sure); but after it all, there can be a real let down. What can we do about it?
There can even be some guilt. That is a demon for sure!
We have poured ourselves out for the Lord, for His people, for the masses that come once or twice a year… now we need rest for body and soul.
- Remember What God Said:
When God created the world, he did a great wrk in six days and then He rested.
“Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
– Gen 2:3
Jesus reminded His disciples that the Sabbath was created as a gift for man not a rule to be punished with.
“Then he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.'”- Mark 2:27
True confessions here, I have a hard time resting. Even though I know that God wants me to, I still get plagued by all that I am supposed to accomplish and feel guilty when I set my work aside. But that too is a demon whispering in my ear. God gave us sabbath as a gift. And He promises to give rest to the weary, even vocal rest. “The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” – Exodus 33:14
- Putting it into Practice
The next challenge is to figure out when and how to rest- and what is this “Vocal Sabbath?”
Someone told me recently that in the New Covenant we need not be legalistic about Saturday sabbaths or even 24 hour sabbaths. But we would be blessed to take sabbath where we can. Does that mean 3 hours on Tuesday morning? Or Thursday nights?
And what of vocal rest?
If you have had a particular taxing vocal day, week, season… can you take a day and remain silent? If not, can you at least not sing or raise your voice loudly? REST. 24 hours of vocal rest can do wonders in healing tired vocal cords.
While you are resting, push the hydration, water, steam. You have permission to take a SPA day! massage out those tense muscles everywhere in your body! Or just go to your favorite prayer place and write in a journal.
Take the time to pray, read your Bible, even fast, enjoy positive people, pet cats! Rejuvenate your voice, body and heart.
“He leads me beside quiet water; He restores my soul”– Psalm 23:2-3
- Returning to Song
Once you are ready to start singing again, (preferably no more than 48 hours later), start gently with trills, sirens, gentle hums and the like. A soft vocal fry is also a good way to reactivate your vocal cords. Follow this with a thorough warm up before you begin singing full on.
Thank you for using your gifts to bring light into the world and bring glory to song. Stay real and connected to His Spirit.
Don’t forget to listen to your body to take care of what your voice needs.,
Plan Vocal Sabbath into your life!
- Further Resources
For more vocal exercises and guidance on healthy singing practices, pick up a copy of my book: Vocal Training for Praise Singers
and check out my teacher Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@juliekinscheckVocalTraining
Easter 2026 may be past, but, God willing, we will have many more tiring vocal days ahead to use our gifts to His glory! Take your Vocal Sabbath while you can! And never stop singing!
“May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great.” – Psalms 138:5 NIV