It’s where a successful prayer life begins

First of a 4-part teaching series

by Dave Ficere

The ACTS model of prayer (adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication) has been a helpful tool in teaching many Christians a pattern of prayer. Yet adoration isn’t a word used too much anymore, especially as it refers to God.

In modern society, the concept of adoration is loosely tossed around and is usually directed toward athletes, reality show stars and other celebrities. Sadly, it is rarely used to describe feelings or attitudes about the Lord.

Dictionaries define adoration as “the act of paying honor as to a Divine being” or “fervent and devoted love.” The word isn’t used in the Bible, but the synonym “worship” is found 181 times, including more than 70 references in the New Testament alone. Strong’s Concordance defines worship as “doing homage, often by kneeling and touching one’s forehead to the ground” as an expression of profound reverence. An example of this is found in Nehemiah 8:6, where Ezra blessed the Lord and led the people in praise. In fact, the English word “prostrate” comes from proskyneo, the Greek word for worship.

The first recorded act of worship in the Bible is found in Genesis 4, when Abraham takes Isaac to offer him as a sacrifice. Abraham saw his obedience to Jehovah’s difficult command as an act of adulation (Genesis 22:5-12). For His part, God accepted Abraham’s obedience as such and commended him for not withholding his only son in a foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice for sin.

Elsewhere in the Old Testament, David led the Israelites in thanksgiving after the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem, encouraging the people to “worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness” (I Chronicles 16:29). In the New Testament, Christ repeatedly accepted the veneration of His followers as well as those seeking the Messiah. In contrast, the disciples rejected praises toward them (Acts 10:25-26), while the angels also refused to be worshipped. Instead, they chose to redirect it toward the One who is worthy (Revelation19:10; 22:7-9).

So then, how, why and who should you worship? Who is easy: the Bible instructs you to worship God alone (Matthew 4:10, Luke 4:8) and warns against worshipping other entities or deities (Acts 7:42-43, Romans 1:25). In addition, Scripture teaches the wrong focus of adoration can lead you down the path of sin and, ultimately, judgment. Satan, the Christian’s enemy, wants you to bow down to him and the things created rather than the Creator (Revelation 13:8, Matthew 4:8-9). Therefore, he often tries to distract you from the true reverence towards Christ.

How you adore Jesus takes many different forms. For example in Romans 12:1, Paul teaches that presenting your body to Christ is a form of reverence: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

Adoration doesn’t depend upon circumstances. “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped” (Job 1:20). Job continued to worship after just losing livestock, servants and all of his children.

Worship is also an act of gratitude and one of the activities taking place in Heaven (Revelation 4:9-10): “And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever."

Why you worship God is simple: He commands it (Exodus 34:14) and it is to be reserved for Christ alone. In addition, He will often lead and guide you while you are worshipping Him (Acts 13:2).

To adore God is not just an option in the Christian life, but an imperative. It helps you see yourself as a subject of the creator of the universe. Adoration leads you to recognize yourself as sinful and falling far short of His glory (Romans 3:23) and naturally leads to confession of your known sins and shortcomings. This confession dovetails into an attitude of thanksgiving toward God for His forgiveness and love. Then are you spiritually prepared… to let your requests be made known as you offer your prayers and supplications to Him. Begin adoring Jesus Christ today.

For further study:

Each day this week, look up and study one of these references to “worship” from Psalms and examine what they mean to your life:

1. Psalm 22:27, 29
2. Psalm 29:2
3. Psalm 66:4
4. Psalm 86:9
5. Psalm 96:9
6. Psalm 97:7
7. Psalm 99:5, 9

Dave Ficere is one of the newest writers for the Presidential Prayer Team. His articles and writing have been featured in a wide array of media including radio promotions, devotional publications, websites, magazines and newsletters. Dave is married to Patt and works and lives in a suburb of Phoenix, AZ.