Frequently Asked Questions about Prayer and Worship

What is prayer?

Prayer is responding to God, by thought and by deeds, with or without words.

What is Christian Prayer?

Christian prayer is response to God the Father, through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

What prayer did Christ teach us?

Our Lord gave us the example of prayer known as the Lord’s Prayer. (See below)

What are the principal kinds of prayer?

The principal kinds of prayer are adoration, praise, thanksgiving, penitence, oblation, intercession, and petition.

What is adoration?

Adoration is the lifting up of the heart and mind to God, asking nothing but to enjoy God’s presence.

Why do we praise God?

We praise God, not to obtain anything, but because God’s Being draws praise from us.

For what do we offer thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is offered to God for all the blessings of this life, for our redemption, and for whatever draws us closer to God.

What is penitence?

In penitence, we confess our sins and make restitution where possible, with the intention to amend our lives.

What is a prayer of oblation?

Oblation is an offering of ourselves, our lives and labors, in union with Christ, for the purposes of God.

What are intercession and petition?

Intercession brings before God the needs of others; in petition, we present our own needs, that God’s will may be done.

What is corporate worship?

In corporate worship, we unite ourselves with others to acknowledge the holiness of God, to hear God’s Word, to offer prayer, and to celebrate the sacraments.

The Lord’s Prayer (Contemporary)

Our Father in heaven, 
    hallowed be your Name,
    your kingdom come,
    you will be done,
        on earth as in heaven.  
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
    as we forgive those 
        who sin against us.  
Save us from the time of trial,
    and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power 
    and the glory are yours
    now and forever.  Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (Traditional)

Our Father, who art in heaven, 
    hallowed be thy Name,
    thy kingdom come,
    thy will be done,
        on earth as it is in heaven.  
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
    as we forgive those 
        who trespass against us.  
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
    and the power, and the glory,
    for ever and ever.  Amen.

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