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Difference between revisions of "Question: Do the Latter-day Saints ("Mormons") use praise of God as part of their prayers and songs in worship?"
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Praise, and the language of praise is integrated into the worship of Latter-day Saints in both prayer and song. The most common "recipe" that is given children in teaching them to pray in our church consists of 4 parts: | Praise, and the language of praise is integrated into the worship of Latter-day Saints in both prayer and song. The most common "recipe" that is given children in teaching them to pray in our church consists of 4 parts: | ||
| − | 1. Open by addressing Heavenly Father | + | 1. Open by addressing Heavenly Father<br> |
| − | 2. Give Thanks for the blessings He has given you. | + | 2. Give Thanks for the blessings He has given you.<br> |
| − | 3. Ask for the things that you need. | + | 3. Ask for the things that you need.<br> |
| − | 4. Close in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen | + | 4. Close in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen<br> |
Two areas here often are used for praise in the Church, with a third being used on occasion. | Two areas here often are used for praise in the Church, with a third being used on occasion. | ||
Revision as of 15:47, 11 January 2010
Do the Latter-day Saints use praise of God as part of their prayers and songs in worship?
Contents
Question
Why LDS prayers do not contain praise even though the scriptures say that they should. Even the Lord's prayer contain the phrase "Hollowed be they name" which seems like praise to me. Consequently, I don't know how to answer her question. She would also like to hear praise music in Church, but that is another subject.
Answer
Praise in Prayer
Praise, and the language of praise is integrated into the worship of Latter-day Saints in both prayer and song. The most common "recipe" that is given children in teaching them to pray in our church consists of 4 parts:
1. Open by addressing Heavenly Father
2. Give Thanks for the blessings He has given you.
3. Ask for the things that you need.
4. Close in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
Two areas here often are used for praise in the Church, with a third being used on occasion.
A great deal of praise is often attached to the addressing of Heavenly Father. Such praise will often describe traits of God that we wish to praise. Common words of praise are; Kind, Merciful, Exalted, Gracious, and I have heard many others including the phrase from the Lord's prayer "Hallowed be Thy Name". This can be taken to excess, and when that happens it can seem to be "praying for to be seen of men". Thus it is more common in the Church not to prolong this too long, but if you look at Temple Dedicatory prayers you will find instances that can be long indeed.
The second area where praise very commonly enters prayer, is when the one praying is giving thanks for blessings. This occurs more in personal prayer than it does in public prayer, but gratitude is a form of praise, and when pondering blessings it is good for a Latter-day Saint to allow the Spirit to move them to praise. But even in public prayer, praise can be manifest in this section of the prayer as God's many blessings are enumerated.
Occasionally praise can enter during the requesting part of prayer as we proclaim the mercies of the God we are requesting a boon from.
In any case, praise is an important part of prayer as a way to draw closer to God. We are, perhaps, a bit less exuberant about it than some other Christians.
Praise in Music
We have a great deal of praise music in the Church. If you look in the back of a hymnal you will find a topical guide and in there you will find a listing for praise. Here in the Church online Library you can find a list of songs from that list from our Hymnal: Songs of Praise
Songs of Gratitude can also be considered songs of praise and you will find many of the same songs under that topic in the Hymnal: Songs of Gratitude
Endnotes
None