Prayer
Communication with God. A means of developing a personal relationship with God. enables communication with God through both talking and listening. It is a two-way method of communication that gives Christians comfort as they feel that God is listening and may send messages back.
Prayer is the raising of one鈥檚 mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.
Jesus spoke often about the importance of prayer, as he felt it deepened his relationship with God. Christians use formal written prayers, which are often memorised in order to be recited both publicly and privately.
Christians also use informal prayers, which are personal and allow individuals to connect with God in their own words.
Catholics may also say the Angelus, which is a series of short meditations performed three times a day in private at home.
The five basic forms of prayer
The A word formed from the initial letters of other words. ACTS is used to remember four key components that are found in many formal prayers. Many Christians will also try to include these in their informal, personal prayers.
- Adoration - Praising God, eg 鈥淒ear God, I know that you are all-loving鈥︹
- Confession - Saying sorry, eg 鈥淧lease forgive me for the horrible things I have said about鈥︹
- Thanksgiving - Thanking God, eg 鈥淭hank you for the amazing weather this week鈥︹
- Supplication - Asking for something, eg 鈥淕ive me strength to鈥︹
A fifth common component is intercession:
- Intercession - Praying for someone who may be ill, eg 鈥淧lease remember my cousin, who is ill, and help them to heal after their operation.鈥
The five forms of prayer can collectively be called ACTS and I.
Question
What is a prayer of supplication?
A prayer that asks for something for yourself or someone else.