9 High-Energy Praise Songs To Start Your Service (Call To Worship)

The first 30 seconds of a service are critical. The room is often cold, people are distracted, and the atmosphere can feel heavy. A strong, high-energy opener cuts through the fog and issues a clear invitation: we are here to celebrate the King.

Psalm 100:4 commands us to “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.” As worship leaders, we are the doorkeepers. Choosing the right opening song helps the congregation step across that threshold with confidence and joy.

Why These Songs Work As Openers

These songs are chosen because:

  • The tempo drives the room. They sit in that 110-130 BPM pocket that naturally makes people want to clap and move.
  • The lyrics are declarative. They don’t start with introspection; they start with objective truth about who God is.
  • The hooks are instant. You don’t need to learn the melody; by the second line, the whole room can join in.

9 Songs To Wake Up Your Church

  1. Praise – This has rapidly become the number one opener in churches globally. Its driving rhythm and relentless call to “praise the Lord” leave no room for passivity. It is pure adrenaline for the soul.
  2. House Of The Lord – “We were the beggars, now we’re the royalty.” This song sets a tone of immense gratitude and joy. It reminds people that simply being in God’s house is a reason to celebrate.
  3. Great Things – Phil Wickham’s modern classic is perfect for a call to worship. It lists the attributes of God (He is faithful, He is our Savior) and invites a response: “Oh hero of Heaven, we praise You.”
  4. I Thank God – If you want a gospel-infused, hand-clapping party, this is the track. It functions as a corporate testimony, allowing everyone to look back at where they came from and thank God for the rescue.
  5. Glorious Day – This song captures the excitement of the resurrection. The imagery of running out of the grave resonates deeply, making it a high-energy anthem that works any Sunday of the year.
  6. This Is Amazing Grace – A staple for a reason. It combines a strong, synth-led hook with lyrics that preach the gospel clearly. It is familiar enough that even first-time visitors can usually sing along.
  7. Rattle! – Sometimes you need to declare life over dead situations. This song is aggressive in the best way, shouting at dry bones to live. It wakes up the spirit and the body.
  8. Happy Day – An older track that still works brilliantly. Its simple, repetitive bridge (“Oh what a glorious day”) builds to a peak that gets the whole room jumping.
  9. The Lion And The Lamb – “Our God is the Lion… our God is the Lamb.” This song is theological and thunderous. It establishes the authority of God right at the start of the service.

Example High-Energy Setlists

Setlist 1 (Modern Celebration)

  1. Praise – Kicks the door down with high energy and rhythm.
  2. I Thank God – Keeps the momentum going with a testimony focus.
  3. House Of The Lord – Sustains the joy while centering the room on worship.

Setlist 2 (Theological Power)

  1. Great Things – A vertical declaration of God’s character.
  2. The Lion And The Lamb – Adds weight and authority to the set.
  3. Glorious Day – Ends the opening set with a personal response to the gospel.

How To Use These Songs In Your Church

  • Start with a scripture. Before the click track starts, read Psalm 34:1 (“I will bless the Lord at all times”) to give people a reason for the noise you are about to make.
  • Check your transitions. Fast songs are the hardest to transition between. Practice your counts and segues so the energy doesn’t drop awkwardly between tracks.
  • Lead with your body. If you look bored, the congregation will look bored. If you want them to clap and engage, you have to model that freedom on stage.

Next Steps

Take a look at your opener for this Sunday. Is it a “warm-up” song, or is it a “call to worship”? Consider swapping it for Praise or Great Things to see if it changes the engagement level of the room from the very first note.

By Hannah Sweeney, WorshipChords Editorial Staff

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