Christianity: Prayer

Question 1

Why is prayer important?

Answer 1

• Christians communicate with God
• Personal God: Christians want to develop a relationship with Him
• Reflection: understanding what God is trying to tell them
• Set prayers (favoured by Roman Catholic, Orthodox, C of E): believers don’t have to worry about not being able to find words to express what they want to say
• Words take on more meaning as they are repeated
• Unites the congregation
• Informal extempore prayers (~Charismatic): gives freedom to express themselves from the heart, as an individual.

Question 2

What is the significance of the Lord’s Prayer?

Answer 2

• It is believed to have been taught to the disciples by Jesus:
  “Father,
  hallowed be your name,
  your kingdom come.
  Give us each day our daily bread.
  Forgive us our sins,
  for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
  And lead us not into temptation.” (Luke 11:2-4)
• It includes everything Christians should have in a prayer: adoration, confession, concern for others, thanksgiving, and supplication.
• Said aloud, connects the congregation

Question 3

What are the different types of prayer?

Answer 3

• Adoration
• Confession:
  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)
• Thanksgiving
• Supplications (asking for help)
• Grace (either thanking God before a meal or, in the Methodist Church, closing the service)
• Intercessions (praying on behalf of others)
• Praying in the Spirit (a prayer inspired by the Holy Spirit, usually private, but communal in charismatic churches)
• Chants
• Meditational prayers (stillness, contemplation - Christians hope God will reveal Himself to them)