A call to worship initiates a worship service by summoning God's people into His presence through the use of Scripture or anthem, guiding us to focus on God and align our hearts and minds accordingly. It is commonly a formal or informal announcement or declaration at the beginning of a service, signaling the start of the communal worship experience.
Where in Scripture are we called to worship? How can we use these verses to introduce communal times of worship? Discover examples of calls to worship from Bible verses, prayers, and quotes.
Call to Worship: Table of Contents
15 Call to Worship Scriptures
John 4:23-24 (NIV): "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."
Hebrews 12:28-29 (NIV): "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'"
Colossians 3:16 (NIV): "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."
1 Peter 2:9 (NIV): "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Hebrews 13:15 (NIV): "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name."
Jeremiah 20:13 (NIV): "Sing to the Lord! Give praise to the Lord! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked."
Isaiah 25:1 (NIV): "Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago."
1 Chronicles 16:29 (NIV): "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness."
Isaiah 26:8 (NIV): "Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts."
Revelation 5:12 (NIV): "In a loud voice they were saying: 'Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!'"
Call to Worship Psalms
Psalm 95:1-2 (NIV): "Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song."
Psalm 100:1-2 (NIV): "Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs."
Psalm 34:1-3 (NIV): "I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together."
Psalm 96:1-2 (NIV): "Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day."
Psalm 122:1 (NIV): "I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’"
Psalm 145:1-3 (NIV): "I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom."
Psalm 103:1 (NIV): "Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name."
Call to Worship Prayers
Heavenly Father, we come before You today as a family of believers, grateful for the privilege of gathering in Your presence. As we embark on this time of worship, may our unity be a reflection of Your presence among us. Bless each soul present here, and may our worship bring joy to Your heart. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Almighty God, as we open Your Word, we are reminded of Your call to worship You with reverence and joy. We bow before You, our Maker, acknowledging Your sovereignty and love. Let the words of Psalm 95 guide us in our worship today. May our hearts be attuned to Your voice, and may our praises be a sweet melody in Your ears. Amen.
Dear Lord, in the midst of the busyness of life, we pause to enter into Your presence. Quiet our hearts and minds as we seek You in this moment of stillness. Speak to us, Lord, and help us feel Your peace that surpasses all understanding. May this time of worship be a sanctuary of rest for our souls. Amen.
Gracious God, today, we center our worship around the theme of Your unfailing love. We are in awe of the depth of Your grace that sustains us. As we engage in songs, prayers, and words centered on Your love, may our hearts be stirred with gratitude. Let Your love permeate every aspect of our worship, transforming us into vessels of Your grace. Amen.
Heavenly Father, we gather today, grateful for the joy of worshiping You together. Thank You for the bonds that unite us as one body in Christ. Bless our collective praise and celebration. May our worship resonate in the heavens, bringing glory to Your name. Strengthen our community, Lord, and may our love for one another be a testimony to Your goodness. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Call to Worship Quotes
"The most valuable thing the Psalms do for me is to express the same delight in God which made David dance." - C.S. Lewis
"God is to be praised with the voice, and the heart should go therewith in holy exultation." - Charles H. Spurgeon
“Corporate worship is a regular gracious reminder that it's not about you. You've been born into a life that is a celebration of another.” - Paul David Tripp
"We must never rest until everything inside us worships God." - A. W. Tozer
“Worship is our response to the overtures of love from the heart of the Father.” - Richard J. Foster
What is a Call to Worship?
The call to worship is a central concept in Christian liturgy or worship service, encapsulating the invitation to enter into a collective and intentional engagement with the Lord. It serves as a proclamation, beckoning the gathered community to shift their focus to this sacred encounter with God. This call stems from the recognition that worship is not merely a routine or obligation but a dynamic and transformative dialogue between the worshipper and the Creator.
In the context of church, the "call to worship" refers to the communal initiation of a worship service. It is a moment deliberately designed to signal the beginning of a time set aside for the worship of God. This call is typically led by a worship leader, minister, or another designated individual who invites their fellow believers to participate actively and wholeheartedly in the worship experience. The call to worship often incorporates elements such as Scripture readings, prayers, and musical expressions like hymns or praise songs. The congregation is reminded of the divine invitation to draw near to God with sincerity and devotion through these means.
How Are We Called to Worship?
Worship is a multifaceted expression of devotion and reverence toward God. It goes beyond traditional rituals and can take various forms. Here are eight ways to worship God:
Prayer: Engaging in personal and corporate prayer is a powerful way to connect with God. Prayer allows for communication, gratitude, confession, seeking guidance, and fostering a deep and personal relationship with the Lord.
Praise through Music: Singing hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs are rich traditions throughout Scripture and Christian history. Music has the ability to evoke emotions and create an atmosphere for worship.
Contemplation & Meditation: Taking time for quiet reflection and contemplative prayer allows individuals to focus their minds on God, listening for His guidance and experiencing His presence in stillness.
Study of Scripture: Delving into the Bible, reflecting on its teachings, and seeking to understand God's Word is a form of worship. This intellectual engagement helps us grow in knowledge and wisdom.
Sacraments & Rituals: Participating in sacraments or religious rituals, such as communion, baptism, or other sacred ceremonies, can be a way to express faith and devotion as a church body.
Fellowship: Gathering with fellow believers for communal worship, fellowship, and encouragement is vital. Worshipping together strengthens the sense of community and unity in Christ.
Dance & Physical Expression: Some cultures incorporate dance or physical expressions as a form of worship. This can be a joyful way to honor God through movement.
Gratitude: Christians express gratitude to God for His grace, mercy, and blessings. Giving thanks in prayer, through hymns, or in everyday moments acknowledges God's goodness.
The diversity of worship practices reflects the richness of human expression in acknowledging and connecting with Christ. A combination of these approaches may resonate most within your personal spiritual journey. Worship looks different for everyone, but the call to worship is the same for all and is made clear in Scripture.
Christianity.com's editorial staff is a team of writers with a background in the Christian faith and writing experience. We work to create relevant, inspiring content for our audience and update timely articles as necessary.
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