Importance of prayer
Worship is an essential part of a Christian's faith. Christians worship God to thank him for his love, ask for forgiveness for their sinAct of rebellion or disobedience against the known will of God in Judaism, Christianity or Islam. and try to understand his 'will' for them.
Prayer and meditation
Christians describe prayerCommunication with God. A means of developing a personal relationship with God. as a conversation with God. Prayer can be silent or said out loud. It can use set words, or a person's own words. In prayer, Christians lift their minds and hearts to God.
There are many different kinds of prayer, including:
- adoration - praising God for his greatness and admitting dependence on him
- confession - owning up to sinAct of rebellion or disobedience against the known will of God in Judaism, Christianity or Islam. and asking for God's mercyShowing compassion or kindness. and forgiveness
- thanksgiving - thanking God for his many blessings, eg health or children
- petition - asking God for something, eg healing, courage or wisdom
- intercession - asking God to help others who need it, eg the sick, poor, those suffering in war
Nature and importance of prayer
Many Christians believe prayer deepens a person's faith. Praying can help the believer come to a greater understanding of God's purpose for their lives. Christians interpret the response they might get to their prayers in the following ways:
- God answers prayers, but not always in the way the person wants. When a prayer is not answered, it may be that the person asked for something God thinks would not be good for them, or that their prayer will be answered later.
- Sometimes Christians think that God has answered their prayers in quite spectacular ways, eg the recovery of a sick person. They may see this as a miracleSomething that breaks the laws of science and is assumed to be caused by God in theistic religion or by special powers in Buddhism..
- For some Christians, meditationThinking quietly as a spiritual or religious exercise. Connection of the mind and soul with the Divine using breathing and other techniques. In Buddhism, using one of a set of techniques or exercises for calming the mind, developing positive emotions and understanding the way things are. or contemplation is a way of trying to reach a higher spiritualRelating to the spirit or relating to sacred things. level.
- Others, especially Orthodox ChristianA Christian, especially found in eastern Europe, who rejected the idea of the Bishop of Rome being the sole leader of the Christian Church., use the 'Jesus Prayer',
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner
. They may chant this prayer over and over to clear their minds and achieve inner peace.
Other Christians, especially Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church is a community of baptised believers in Christ that is led by the Pope. The Catholic Church teaches that the Pope has special authority that descends from Jesus himself., use a rosaryA string of beads used as a method of prayer or meditation, for example by Buddhists and Roman Catholic Christians. to meditate on the life of Jesus.
Candles, a crucifixA Christian aid to worship that recalls Jesus's death and resurrection. A crucifix has the body of Christ on it, but a cross is plain. or a cross can all help Christians to focus on meditation and allow the Holy SpiritThe third element of the 'Trinity' (God is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit). The Holy Spirit is active as God's presence and power in the world. to enter their hearts.