Prayers of Adoration
After our look at how Jesus Christ taught His disciples to pray, we saw that there are two things that are often overlooked. The first is that we need to make sure we are in a place free from distractions and second that we need to set an example for others as we pray. We also saw Jesus Christ approach God the Father with reverence, He held His name in honor. Through His example, Jesus taught us that we need to pray for God’s will do be done, not our own; as well as to be content in the situation that we are in. Christ ended His lesson with a prayer of forgiveness.
Now that we have seen a guideline on how to pray, the next few posts will review different types of prayers that are found in the Bible. The first of which is a prayer of adoration. Most likely the idea of adoration is something to be admired. While this is true, the actual definition of adoration has a deeper meaning. Adoration means to worship, glorify, and revere. Prayers of adoration at times can be seen as declarations of God’s majesty, work, and presence. They can be perceived as worship, and at times in their own right they are worship to the Lord. The Bible is filled with prayers that show adoration to God, there is not enough time to discuss them all. However, there has always been one that stood out to me.
“1 Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD! 2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! 3 From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised! 4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! 5 Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, 6 who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? 7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, 8 to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. 9 He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!”
Psalms 113:1-9
Prayers of adoration often seem to be mistaken for prayers of thanksgiving. However, Psalm 113 clearly shows that a prayer of adoration is simply worshiping God. As stated before this can be done simply by reflecting on verses that show who God is, and His character. Verses like, “My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My savior, You save me from violence.”2 Samuel 22:3, “6 and he said, “Lord, God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You.” 2 Chronicles 20:6, “20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20, or “20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,” Ephesians 3:20
Prayers of adoration are our response to what God has done for us. Remember, God only gives good things, “17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” James 1:17. This is true even in difficult times, sometimes it just takes us to get out of the situation to realize what God was doing through our difficult times. What is important to remember with prayers of adoration is that they glorify God, even when we are struggling we have things that we can glorify God for because if we maintain our faith in God and His promises we will make it through our trials. “For the Lord will not reject forever, 32 For if He causes grief, Then He will have compassionIn proportion to His abundant mercy.” Lamentations 3:31-32
Reflection upon these verses and the multitude of others in Scripture all lead a sense of awe. We learn more about God and His attributes when we reflect upon Him. Prayers of adoration are also important because it strengthens our faith. When we pray with adoration we see what God has done and have hope in what He will do. To reflect and speak to God in a way of adoration is to pray for His mighty works to be done.
Seek the truth and encourage one another,
Alex