Christian Worship & Prayer (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

Liturgical, Non-Liturgical & Informal

Forms of Worship

• Christians have different forms of worship

  • This can change based upon the type of Christian or denomination

• Worship can include a sermon, prayers, the reading of the Bible and the Eucharist 

• Different denominations place greater importance on different aspects of worship

• Key Christian beliefs like Trinity, Jesus Christ and Salvation are shown through worship

• Worship is an opportunity for Christians to create a personal relationship between themselves and God or to bring a community together

• Christian Worship can be liturgical, non-liturgical or private

Liturgical Worship

• Liturgical Worship relates to services that are ordered and have a set pattern

• A priest or minister will lead the congregation in formal prayers that have set responses

  • There is no improvisation at all

  • Believers across the world are familiar with the order of service

• Liturgical Worship also includes the formal ritual based around the Sacraments, for example Baptism and Holy Communion

• It is important to understand the similarities and differences between the Christian denominations

• Worshipping in public helps some Christians feel part of a larger community

• For many Christians they will feel closer to Jesus as they believe he is with them in the church

• Worshipping together and following the traditions also helps Christians to feel connected to other Christians now and throughout history
  

Non-Liturgical Worship

• Some Christians take part in non-liturgical worship in which there does not need to be a set order or ritual

• Some churches place an emphasis on the word of God in the Bible

• The structure of the service might remain the same each week but the minister may change the order, the hymns or prayers

• Different Christian denominations are involved in a range of Non-Liturgical Worship

  • The Society of Friends (Quakers) is usually unstructured. Worshippers sit in silence together but can pray and speak out loud

  • Methodist services do not have a set structure but there is guidance in the Methodist Worship Book

    • Services include hymns, readings, a sermon and prayers

  • Evangelical Churches, for example Pentecostals are involved in charismatic worship and may involve dancing, clapping, calling out, and speaking in tongues

• Some Christians prefer an unstructured way of worshipping because it gives them more freedom

• Others believe that non-liturgical, unstructured services are unsuitable and do not have the level of respect required for a Christian service

Private Worship

Private Worship

• Many Christians worship informally at home

• This can involve saying grace before a meal, singing worship songs with friends or family, reading the Bible or praying

• Christians believe that private worship is just as important as public worship. It can take place anywhere and may involve prayer, meditation, studying or meditating on a Bible passage

• Many Christians believe they have a better connection with God when worshipping privately

• It also provides the freedom to be able to worship whenever they want and is easier for those who might find it difficult to attend a more formal gathering

• Lots of Christians will worship both publicly and privately

Prayer & its Significance

Prayer in Christianity

• Prayer is communicating with God in silence or aloud, with others or alone

• Prayer can be in many different forms

  • Thanksgiving - to thank God for something

  • Supplication - asking God for something

  • Adoration - worshipping God

  • Confession - admitting and asking for forgiveness for sins

  • Intercession - asking God to help other people

• Christian prayer can take place using formal (set) prayers or informal prayers

• Formal prayer is used in most Christian denominations

  • They can be said during acts of worship in church but also in private

  • The Lord’s Prayer Is very important to Christians. It is based upon the words Jesus used when he guided his disciples on how to pray

  • The Lord’s Prayer covers key themes around forgiveness and God providing for mankind and also refers to God as The Father which links to the Trinity

  • There is also reference in the Lord’s Prayer to God’s kingdom which links to Christian views around Salvation

• Informal prayer is where Christians talk to God in their own words

  • These types of prayers are sometimes called extempore

  • Informal prayers can be more personal and show connection with God for the individual

  • Some Christians prefer these to set prayers. Many Christians will pray both formally and informally

• Some practice around prayer is unique to particular denominations

  • Catholics might use the Rosary whilst praying or they might focus on the Stations of the Cross
    
    

Importance of Christian Prayer

• Christians draw comfort from the fact that they believe God is listening to them

• Many Christians believe that God is also communicating back and guiding them with important decisions through the Holy Spirit

• Prayer strengthens the relationship between Christians and God

• It is following the example of Jesus who is often recorded as praying in the Bible.

• Through prayers of adoration Christians can acknowledge the goodness and greatness of God

• It encourages Christians to confess and ask for forgiveness

• It helps Christians to remain humble as they thank God for all the things He has given them

• Through prayers of intercession Christians remember the needs of others rather than focusing on themselves

• Through prayers of supplication it encourages Christians to remember that they cannot do everything themselves and they need someone greater than them

• It unites the Church as some prayers are said together as part of the service