Worship is an essential part of our Christian life. It is a way of expressing our love, reverence, and gratitude to God for who He is and what He has done for us. Worship is also a way of aligning our hearts and minds with God’s will and purpose for our lives.
But how do we worship God? How do we prepare our hearts and minds for worship? How do we invite God’s presence and power into our worship experience?
One of the ways we can do this is by using Scripture in our calls to worship. A call to worship is a short statement or prayer that invites us to worship God and sets the tone for our worship service. A call to worship can be based on a specific theme, a passage of Scripture, or a characteristic of God.
Here are some of our favorite call to worship scriptures verses to start a worship service and remind us of the Lord’s greatness.
25 Powerful Calls to Worship Scriptures
Here, we will look at 25 call to worship scriptures that we can use in our personal or corporate worship. These call to worship scriptures are divided into six sections, each focusing on a different aspect of worship. We will also see how we can use these call to worship scriptures in our own lives.
Calls to Worship that Focus on God’s Majesty and Power
God is not only holy and love, but also majestic and powerful. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, and He rules over all with wisdom and justice. He is worthy of our praise and adoration, and He invites us to come before Him with joy and gratitude. Here are some calls to worship that focus on God’s majesty and power, based on four biblical passages:
1. Psalm 95:1-7
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Come, let us worship the Lord, our Creator and Shepherd.
This psalm invites us to sing to the Lord, to shout joyfully to Him, and to bow down and worship Him. It also reminds us that He is the great God, the King above all gods, and the Shepherd of His people.
2. Revelation 4:11
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created. Come, let us worship the Lord, our Sovereign and Sustainer.
This verse records the words of the twenty-four elders who fall down before the throne of God and worship Him. They declare that He is worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because He created all things and by His will they exist and were created.
3. Isaiah 40:28-31
This passage assures us that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary, and He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, and soar on wings like eagles. A call to worship based on this passage could be:
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Come, let us worship the Lord, our Strength and Renewal.
4. Psalm 145:3-10
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of Your awesome deeds, and I will declare Your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of Your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made. All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord, and all Your saints shall bless You! They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and tell of Your power. Come, let us worship the Lord, our King and Savior.
This psalm praises the Lord for His greatness, His works, His mighty acts, His glorious splendor, His goodness, His righteousness, His grace, His compassion, His faithfulness, and His kingdom. It also calls on all His works to bless His name and all His people to speak of His praise.
Calls to Worship that Focus on God’s Holiness and Love
One of the most important aspects of worship is to acknowledge who God is and what He has done for us. God is holy, which means He is perfect, pure, and separate from sin. He is also love, which means He is compassionate, merciful, and faithful. He has shown His holiness and love by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and to make us His children. Here are some calls to worship that focus on God’s holiness and love, based on four biblical passages:
5. 1 John 4:7-10:
This passage tells us that God is the source of love and that He loved us first by sending His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. A call to worship based on this passage could be:
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Come, let us worship the God of love, who gave His Son for us.
6. Revelation 1:5-6
To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen. Come, let us worship the King of kings and Lord of lords, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
This passage praises Jesus Christ as the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings. It also declares that He has freed us from our sins by His blood and made us a kingdom and priests to His God and Father.
7. Isaiah 53:5-6
He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Come, let us worship the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
This passage prophesies the suffering and death of Jesus Christ as the substitute for our sins. It also affirms that by His wounds we are healed and that the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
8. Ephesians 2:4-10
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Come, let us worship the God of grace, who has made us alive with Christ and prepared us for good works.
This passage celebrates the grace of God that has saved us from our sins and raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly places. It also reminds us that we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.
Calls to Worship that Call for a Response of Praise and Thanksgiving
Worship is not only a matter of acknowledging who God is and what He has done, but also a matter of responding to Him with praise and thanksgiving. God deserves our highest praise and our deepest gratitude, and He delights in hearing our voices and seeing our hearts. Here are some calls to worship that call for a response of praise and thanksgiving, based on four biblical passages:
9. Psalm 100:1-5
This psalm invites us to make a joyful noise to the Lord, to serve Him with gladness, and to come into His presence with singing. It also reminds us that He is God, He made us, we belong to Him, He is good, His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations. A call to worship based on this psalm could be:
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing! Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations. Come, let us praise the Lord, our Maker and Shepherd.
10. 1 Chronicles 16:23-29
Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy are in His place. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering and come before Him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. Come, let us worship the Lord, our Savior and King.
This passage records the song of David when he brought the ark of God to Jerusalem. It calls on all the earth to sing to the Lord, to proclaim His salvation, to declare His glory, to ascribe to Him the glory due His name, and to bring an offering and come before Him. It also exalts the Lord as the great God, the King above all gods, and the Creator of the heavens and the earth.
11. Psalm 148:1-5
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars! Praise Him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord! For He commanded and they were created. And He established them forever and ever; He gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling His word! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds! Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His majesty is above earth and heaven. Come, let us praise the Lord, our Creator and Lord.
This psalm calls on all creation to praise the Lord, from the heavens to the earth, from the angels to the animals, from the sun to the stars, from the kings to the children. It also declares that the Lord commanded and they were created, and that He established them forever and ever.
12. Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Come, let us rejoice in the Lord, our Peace and Joy.
This passage exhorts us to rejoice in the Lord always, to let our reasonableness be known to everyone, to not be anxious about anything, but to present our requests to God with thanksgiving. It also promises that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Calls to Worship that Call for a Response of Repentance and Surrender
Worship is not only a matter of praising and thanking God, but also a matter of repenting and surrendering to Him. God is holy and righteous, and He calls us to turn from our sins and to trust in His grace. He also invites us to offer our lives to Him as a living sacrifice, and to follow His will and His ways. Here are some calls to worship that call for a response of repentance and surrender, based on four biblical passages:
13. Psalm 51:1-12
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be justified in Your words and blameless in Your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, You delight in truth in the inward being, and You teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that You have broken rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Come, let us worship the Lord, our Merciful and Forgiving God.
This psalm is a prayer of David after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband. It expresses his deep sorrow for his sin, his plea for God’s mercy and forgiveness, his desire for a clean heart and a renewed spirit, and his hope for God’s presence and joy.
14. Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Come, let us worship the Lord, our Compassionate and Pardoning God.
This passage invites us to seek the Lord while He may be found, to call upon Him while He is near, to forsake our wicked ways and our unrighteous thoughts, and to return to Him. It also assures us that He will have compassion on us and will abundantly pardon us.
15. 2 Corinthians 5:14-18
This passage explains that the love of Christ controls us, because He died for us and rose again, so that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for Him. It also declares that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, and that God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation. A call to worship based on this passage could be:
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. Come, let us worship the Lord, our Loving and Reconciling God.
16. Revelation 2:4-5
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Come, let us worship the Lord, our First and Final Love.
This passage is part of the message to the church in Ephesus, which had lost its first love for Christ. It warns them to remember from where they have fallen, to repent, and to do the works they did at first. It also threatens them that if they do not repent, He will remove their lampstand from its place.
Calls to Worship that Call for a Response of Mission and Service
Worship is not only a matter of repenting and surrendering to God, but also a matter of obeying and serving Him. God has given us a mission to make disciples of all nations, to love one another as He has loved us, to be His ambassadors of reconciliation, and to have the same mind as Christ. He also empowers us with His Spirit and equips us with His gifts to fulfill His purposes. Here are some calls to worship that call for a response of mission and service, based on four biblical passages:
17. Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Come, let us worship the Lord, our Risen and Reigning Lord.
This passage records the Great Commission of Jesus to His disciples before He ascended to heaven. He commands them to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that He has commanded them. He also promises to be with them always, to the end of the age.
18. John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. Come, let us worship the Lord, our Servant and Savior.
This passage records the new commandment of Jesus to His disciples after He washed their feet. He commands them to love one another as He has loved them, and says that by this all people will know that they are His disciples.
19. 2 Corinthians 5:19-21
That is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. Come, let us worship the Lord, our Reconciler and Righteousness.
This passage explains that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and that He has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation. It also declares that we are Christ’s ambassadors, and that God makes His appeal through us. It also urges us to be reconciled to God, and to become the righteousness of God in Him.
20. Philippians 2:3-5
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. Come, let us worship the Lord, our Humble and Obedient Lord.
This passage exhorts us to do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility to count others more significant than ourselves. It also encourages us to look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others. It also challenges us to have the same mind as Christ, who humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.
Calls to Worship that Call for a Response of Unity and Community
One of the most important aspects of worship is the sense of belonging and connection that we experience with God and with one another. Worship is not only a personal encounter with the divine, but also a communal expression of our faith and love. When we gather for worship, we are called to affirm and celebrate our unity and diversity as the body of Christ.
There are many passages in the Bible that speak of the value and beauty of unity and community among God’s people. Here are some examples of calls to worship that are based on these passages and that invite us to respond with gratitude, commitment, and action.
21. Psalm 133:1-3
This psalm praises the goodness and pleasantness of living together in harmony. It compares the joy of unity to the anointing oil that was poured on Aaron’s head and ran down his beard and robes, and to the dew that falls on Mount Zion. The psalmist declares that God bestows his blessing and life on those who dwell in unity. A possible call to worship based on this psalm is:
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Come, let us worship the Lord who has made us one in Christ. Let us rejoice in the gift of fellowship and share the blessing of life.
22. Ephesians 4:1-6
This passage urges us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received from God, by being humble, gentle, patient, and bearing with one another in love. It also reminds us of the unity we have in the Spirit, in the hope, faith, baptism, and Lordship of Christ, and in the Fatherhood of God. A possible call to worship based on this passage is:
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Come, let us worship the Lord who has called us to his glorious grace. Let us live in a manner worthy of his name and keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
23. 1 John 3:14-18
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. Come, let us worship the Lord who has given us eternal life through his love. Let us love one another as he has loved us and lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
This passage tells us that we know we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. It also challenges us to not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth. It warns us that anyone who does not love remains in death and does not have eternal life.
24. Colossians 3:12-14
This passage instructs us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, and to forgive each other as the Lord has forgiven us. It also commands us to put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. A possible call to worship based on this passage is:
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect harmony. Come, let us worship the Lord who has chosen us, forgiven us, and loved us. Let us clothe ourselves with his virtues and live in harmony with one another.
These are some examples of calls to worship that call for a response of unity and community. They are based on the biblical truth that we are one in Christ and that we are called to love one another as he has loved us. They also challenge us to live out our faith in practical ways that demonstrate our commitment to God and to each other. May we respond to these calls with joy and gratitude, and may we worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.
16 Good Calls to Worship Quotes
- The worship to which we are called in our renewed state is far too important to be left to personal preferences, to whims, or to marketing strategies. It is the pleasing of God that is at the heart of worship. Therefore, our worship must be informed at every point by the Word of God as we seek God’s own instructions for worship that is pleasing to Him.” —R.C. Sproul
- “He loves our praise, it’s His conduit to break open heaven.” —Jacob Cook
- “I need to worship because without it I lose a sense of wonder and gratitude and plod through life with blinders on.” —John Ortberg
- “But just as your body needs sleep, your soul needs time to rest in God. To learn more about Him. To talk to Him. To worship and praise Him. To fellowship with other brothers and sisters.” —Craig Groeschel
- “The aim is not to be worship leaders, but to be worshippers.” —Unknown
- “If you’re not worshiping God on Monday, the way you did the day before, perhaps you’re not worshiping him at all.” —A.W. Tozer
- “God directs his people not simply to worship but to sing his praises ‘before the nations.’ We are called not simply to communicate the gospel to nonbelievers; we must also intentionally celebrate the gospel before them.”—Timothy J. Keller
- “Worship is an incredible privilege, not a religious duty.” —Unknown
- “The purpose of this Christian society called “the church” is first to glorify God by our worship. We do not go to church just to hear a sermon. We go to church to worship God.” —Billy Graham
- “Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” —Victor Hugo
- “Worship is the proper response of all moral, sentient beings to God, ascribing all honor and worth to their Creator-God precisely because he is worthy, delightfully so.” —D.A. Carson
- “I can safely say, on the authority of all that is revealed in the Word of God, that any man or woman on this earth who is bored and turned off by worship is not ready for heaven.” —A.W. Tozer
- “Worship is more than singing. It’s more than just lyrics to a song. Worship is standing in the presence of God and declaring praises to His name.” —Unknown
- “The highest form of worship is the worship of unselfish Christian service.” —Billy Graham
- “Even when it hurts, we can praise Him. Even in the storms of life, we can find Him. In those situations, our calling is tested. Are we truly ready to pick up our cross and follow Him?” —John Williams
- “There are no unique postures and times and limitations that restrict our access to God. My relationship with God is intimate and personal. The Christian does not go to the temple to worship. The Christian takes the temple with him or her. Jesus lifts us beyond the building and pays the human body the highest compliment by making it His dwelling place, the place where He meets with us.” —Ravi Zacharias
What do you say to open a worship service?
The introduction to a worship service is the first impression you give to your congregation. It sets the tone and can make or break their experience.
There are many different ways to open a worship service. Some pastors have specific practices that they use every time, while others are more flexible in their approach. Regardless of what you do, it’s important to be intentional and mindful of your audience when crafting an opening statement for your service.
Why does God call us to worship?
Worship is a way for us to show our love to God. It’s a way for us to thank Him for all of the blessings He has given us. We worship because we want to glorify Him and show Him how much we care about what He has done in our lives.
We worship because it is a way of saying, “I love You.” We worship because it is a way of saying, “Thank You.”
We worship because it is a way of saying, “You are worthy.”
Is worship a weapon?
We need to remember that worship is not a weapon against people. It is not meant to be used as a means of manipulation but rather as an expression of love and gratitude.
Use this video to see how to make a call to worship.
Final Thoughts
We have seen 25 call to worship scriptures that inspire us to praise God, to thank him, to confess our sins, to seek his guidance, to surrender to his will, and to love him and one another. These scriptures are not only words, but invitations to enter into a deeper relationship with God and to experience his presence and power in our lives.
But how can we use these call to worship scriptures in our own lives? How can we make them more than just a reading or a recitation, but a heartfelt response to God’s grace and glory?
One way is to choose one of the call to worship scriptures from this blog post and to use it in your own worship experience, either personally or corporately. You can do this by:
- Reading the scripture aloud and meditating on its meaning and relevance for your life.
- Praying the scripture back to God and expressing your desire to worship him in spirit and in truth.
- Singing the scripture or a song that is based on it and lifting your voice to God in adoration and gratitude.
- Acting on the scripture and applying its message to your daily life and relationships.
By doing this, you will not only be reading the word of God, but living it. You will not only be hearing the call to worship, but answering it. You will not only be honoring God with your lips, but with your heart and your life.
So, what are you waiting for? Choose one of the call to worship scriptures from this blog post and use it in your own worship experience. You will be amazed at how God will meet you and bless you as you worship him in spirit and in truth.