Simply put, prayers of adoration are prayers of praise to God.
When we praise God we are focusing on who he is.
Starting our prayer time with prayers of adoration (or praise to God) gives us the correct perspective of God.
We need to remember God’s awesomness. If we aren’t careful, God can become small in our minds.
Praising him by acknowledging who he is and his supranatural character will reorient our thinking to how big he is and how small we are.
A good thing to remember when praying prayers of adoration is to focus entirely on God and leave yourself and others out. Do you see the difference in the following praises: “Lord, you are the reason for all things” vs. “Lord, I praise you for all the things you have done for me.”
The first is simply focused entirely on God. The second focuses on my life. This is more of a prayer of thanksgiving than of praise.
So, who is God and how do I praise Him?
The Bible tells us that God is the creator of all things. Imagine an artist at an easel painting a picture. In this analogy the picture is everything… I mean, EVERYTHING: heaven, earth, trees, stars, blades of grass, chemicals, galaxies. God is the master artist and everything is his creative creation. This image helps me see how big God is!
The Bible also tells us who God is based on his character and being. For example, God is love. God is joy. God is savior. God is our redeemer. God is omnipotent – that is, he has unlimited power. God is omnipresent – that is, he is everywhere at all times. God is omniscient – that is, he knows everything.
Examples of prayers of adoration in the Bible
Psalm 57:10-11 – For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
Psalm 72:18-19 – Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Isreal, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen.
Romans 11:33 – Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
Revelation 7:12 – Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen!
Be sure to check out all parts of the “How to Pray” series:
What Are Prayers of Adoration?
What Are Prayers of Confession?
