Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8600 Prayer and worship of the believer  »  8602 prayer  »  8608 prayer, and worship

Worship is turning to God in awe, praise and joy, as his people realise how wonderful he is. Prayer is a natural part of worship: to know God is to want to worship him and pray to him.

Worship is a fundamental requirement of life

All nations are exhorted to worship God

1 Chronicles 16:28-29 See also Psalm 29:1-2; Psalm 96:9

Israel is commanded to worship God

2 Kings 17:36 See also Psalm 95:6-7; Psalm 99:4-5

Right attitudes in worship are imperative

Reverence and humility characterise acceptable worship

Hebrews 12:28-29 See also Psalm 5:7; Psalm 95:6; Psalm 138:2; Ecclesiastes 5:1

Honesty, without hypocrisy, characterises acceptable worship

Amos 5:21-24 See also Matthew 15:7-9 pp Mark 7:6-7; Isaiah 29:13; Luke 18:9-14; John 4:24

Prayer can focus on different aspects of God's character

Prayer can focus on God's holiness

Exodus 15:11 See also Psalm 77:13; Psalm 96:9; Psalm 99:5

Prayer can focus on God's glory

Psalm 19:1-6 See also Psalm 29:1-2; Psalm 138:5; Romans 16:27; Philippians 4:20; Jude 25

Prayer can focus on God's majesty

Psalm 104:1-4 See also Psalm 8:1; Psalm 76:4; Psalm 96:4-6

Prayer can focus on God's kingship

Psalm 97:1 See also Psalm 9:7; Psalm 22:3; Psalm 93:1; Psalm 95:3; Psalm 102:12

Prayer can focus on God's love and compassion

Psalm 103:1-18 See also Psalm 111:4; Psalm 118:1-4; Psalm 145:17-20

Prayer can focus on God's justice and righteousness

Psalm 97:2 See also Psalm 7:17; Psalm 9:8; Psalm 97:6; Psalm 111:3

Prayer can focus on God's creative activity

Nehemiah 9:6 See also Psalm 90:2; Psalm 95:3-7; Psalm 102:25-27; Psalm 104:5-9,24-26

See also

1045  God, glory of
1065  God, holiness of
1075  God, justice of
1085  God, love of
1090  God, majesty of
1325  God, the Creator
8336  reverence & obedience
8622  worship
8632  adoration