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Scripture
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the LORD;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me,
and let us exalt his name together! (Psalm 34.1-3, ESV)
Quote
Lord, you are my lover,
My longing,
My flowing stream,
My sun,
And I am your reflection.
(Mechtild of Magdeburg, Beguine Mystic, 13th Century AD)
Commentary
Adoration is a means of reminding ourselves that we are the recipients of grace in many different forms. We can focus on what we lack and, thereby, be led to ingratitude and a lessening of our love for God and others. However, adoration is a means of expressing gratitude to God for what we have been given and, likewise, for the nature of God. Adoration fans the flame of love.
Scripture affirms, “Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God. He is the One Who made all light. He does not change. No shadow is made by His turning” (James 1.17, NLV). The Message renders James 1.17, “Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle.” Therefore, there is consistency between the nature of God and the action of God. Though life is in constant change, we can be appreciative for and adoring regarding the faithfulness of our Creator.
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Thus, in Adoration Prayer, we both praise God and offer thanksgiving to God and as a form of affective prayer. This prayer is affective, for we are not only expressing words, we are expressing the feelings of awe, thankfulness, and admiration.
The Method
1. Position yourself in any way that expresses your heartfelt love, adoration, awe of, and gratitude to God. Positions can include, among other ones, standing with open palms of hands lifted into the air and face upward toward the sky; standing or sitting with hands folded and chin touching the tip of the middle fingers, or sitting with hands folded in the lap and head turned slightly downward.
2. With eyes closed, form an image of the Living Christ in your mind. Then, either internally or vocally, begin to express your sincere feelings to Him. These feelings can include what we call thanksgiving or praise.
3. Continue holding the image of Christ and expressing adoration, allowing interludes of silent adoration.
4. Permit changes to occur in content and body posture. For example, silent adoration can become vocalized, verbal prayer might turn into singing, silent prayer can turn into laughter or shouting joyfully. You might begin standing and feel a need to kneel or prostrate with your face downward, or you might sense a need to dance. Whatever is appropriate to the context is fine.
5. End your prayer thanking God for this special time and, then, spend some moments in worshipful silence.
Spiritual Exercise
Practice a daily time of Prayer of Adoration each day. Try different postures and ways of expressing (i.e., singing, dance, laughter,...).
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