Christian Prayer and Worship Concepts

Adoration

• Recognizes and accepts the vast difference between God and all creatures.
• True worship, or pagsamba, of God.
• Acknowledges God as the Creator and the individual as a creature.
• It involves recognizing the infinite difference between God and humanity.
• Pagsamba is recognizing God's greatness and one's own dependence on God.

Prayer of Petition

• Requests something personal; Psalm 34:6.
• Includes contrition, acknowledging and regretting sins, and asking for forgiveness.
• Includes asking for God's forgiveness and grace.
• Contrition: the act of being sorry for one's sins.

Contrition

• Asking for forgiveness for sins and inadequacies in loving God.
• Recognizing times when love for God has been insufficient.
• Seeking mercy from God.
• A heartfelt sorrow for one's sins and a desire for change.
• Crucial for a close relationship with God.

Thanksgiving

• Expresses gratitude for God's gifts.
• Acknowledges God's many gifts, both obvious and unseen.
• Appreciation for the people and material blessings in one's life.
• Gratitude for experiences God has bestowed.
• Important for recognizing God's blessings in one's life.

Supplications

• Expresses needs and concerns to God.
• Involves seeking assistance for spiritual and material needs.
• Prayer is not about worrying but communicating needs in faith and gratitude. (Philippians 4:6)
• Acknowledging that God answers prayer.

Christian Categorization of Prayer (ACTS)

• Adoration: Praising God's glory and majesty.
• Confession/Contrition: Dealing with and confessing sins.
• Thanksgiving: Expressing gratitude.
• Supplication: Seeking God's help for oneself and others.
• A structured way to categorize different types of prayer.

Expressions of Prayer

• Vocal Prayer: Involves body and mind in seeking God, which is essential even when prayer is deep and personal.
• Meditation: Prayerful reflection on God's word. Combines thought, emotion, and desire to enhance faith and commitment to Christ.
• Contemplation: A focused gaze and attentiveness to God through listening to the Word of God and silent love.. Represents a time of quiet reflection and deep connection to God.
• Different forms of expressing prayer.

Jesus' Teaching on Prayer

• Jesus advised against showy displays of prayer in synagogues and public spaces.
• He encouraged private prayer, seeking out time alone with God.
• Prayer should focus on sincere requests and not excessive or meaningless words.
• Jesus prayed often, seeking guidance and strength during significant moments of His life.
• Jesus emphasized the importance of sincerity and humility in prayer.
• (Matthew 6:5-8).