Basic 6 · Religious and Moral Education · Religious Worship
The Meaning and Types of Prayer
In this topic you will discuss what prayer is, the types of prayer and how prayer is practised in the three main religions.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Define prayer
- Describe types of prayer
- Compare how prayer is practised in Christianity, Islam and Traditional Religion
What you already know
- Religious worship (Basic 5)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Religious Practices
- Sub-strand
- Religious Worship
- Indicator
- B6.2.1.1.1 – Discuss the importance of prayer in our lives
Introduction
People pray when they are happy, sad, afraid or grateful. Prayer is a way of talking to God and is practised in all the major religions in Ghana.
1. What Is Prayer?
Prayer: Communication with God through words, thoughts or actions.
Prayer can be spoken aloud or said silently, alone or with others, in a place of worship or anywhere. It can follow set words, such as the Lord's Prayer or Al-Fatiha, or be in a person's own words.
2. Types of Prayer
| Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Adoration | praising God for who He is | "Great God, you are holy and mighty." |
| Confession | admitting wrongdoing and asking forgiveness | "Forgive me for lying to my mother." |
| Thanksgiving | thanking God for blessings | "Thank you for my family and for rain." |
| Supplication | asking God for help for oneself or others | "Please heal my sick friend." |
Praying for others is called intercession.
3. Prayer in the Three Religions
| Religion | Practices |
|---|---|
| Christianity | personal prayer, church prayers, the Lord's Prayer, kneeling or standing, ending with "Amen" |
| Islam | five daily prayers (salat) facing Makkah after ablution (wudu); personal prayers (du'a) |
| Traditional Religion | libation with water or drink; prayers to the Supreme Being through ancestors and deities at festivals and ceremonies |
4. Postures in Prayer
People pray in different postures: kneeling (humility), standing (respect), bowing and prostrating (submission), raising hands (praise), and sitting quietly (meditation). The posture shows the attitude of the heart, but God listens to sincere prayer in any position.
All three religions teach that sincerity matters more than long or beautiful words. A short, honest prayer from the heart is valued more than a long prayer said only to impress others. Prayer should also include listening, by being quiet and reflecting on what God wants.
People of every faith can respect one another's prayer times and places by keeping quiet and not disturbing worshippers.
New words
- prayer
- Communication with God.
- adoration
- Praise of God for who He is.
- confession
- Admitting wrongdoing.
- supplication
- Asking God for help.
- intercession
- Praying for others.
- du'a
- Personal prayer in Islam.
Summary
- Prayer is communication with God.
- Types of prayer: adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication (ACTS).
- Each religion has its own prayer practices.
- Postures show the attitude of the heart.
Class activity: ACTS Prayer Cards
- Write a short prayer with four parts: adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication.
- Label each part.
- Share one part with a partner (only if you wish).
You need: Printed Ghanaian communal-labour scenario cards, Broom, Waste basket, Manila action-plan sheet
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Prayer is…
- A. communication with God
- B. a type of food
- C. a sport
- D. a song only
Show answer
Answer: communication with GodTalking to God.2. Asking God for help is…
- A. supplication
- B. adoration
- C. confession
- D. thanksgiving
Show answer
Answer: supplicationRequest.3. Praying for others is…
- A. intercession
- B. confession
- C. ablution
- D. libation
Show answer
Answer: intercessionOn behalf of others.4. Muslims pray five times daily.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueSalat.5. Prayer must always be spoken aloud.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseIt can be silent.6. Admitting wrongdoing in prayer is ______.
Show answer
Answer: confessionAsking forgiveness.7. Name the four types of prayer in ACTS.
Show answer
Answer: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication.ACTS.8. Compare how prayer is done in Islam and Traditional Religion.
Show answer
Answer: Islam: salat five times a day facing Makkah after wudu. Traditional: libation and prayers through ancestors at ceremonies.Different practices.
Homework
- Write a thanksgiving prayer for three blessings in your life.