The Prayer of Adoration

The Concept

Adoration is not a separate kind of prayer, "it is the air in which prayer breathes, the sea in which prayer swims." But in the context of this exercise, it is a more intentional expression, a releasing of the natural response of our heart when it glimpses the heart of the Father.

The Prayer of Adoration is selfless, it doesn't ask after anything, but rather seeks only to exalt the Lord. In this posture of worshiping in spirit and in truth, as we yearn to bless God, he mercifully sees fit to heal our own sorrows and weaknesses.

We have scriptural assurance that our thankfulness reaches his heart. Jesus was moved by the one healed leper who returned to thank him, while the other 9 walked away (Luke 17:11-19). David's psalms declare over and over how praise will be on his lips all of his days.

Foster mentions 4 obstacles to adoration: 1) inattentiveness, moving through life oblivious to the beauty of creation and God's works, 2) over-analysis, evaluating the gifts of God instead of truly experiencing them, 3) greed, answering God's goodness by asking for more, and 4) conceit, being pleased with ourselves for bringing praise.

Adoration should move beyond a selfless posture to the active state of losing oneself, being overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and awe on the object of your affection. As Friend Owl tells Bambi: "You begin to get weak in the knees. Your head's in a whirl. And then you feel light as a feather, and before you know it, you're walking on air. And then you know what? You're knocked for a loop, and you completely lose your head!"

The Experience

This week, I tried to train myself to be more aware of my daily gifts, to say "thank you, Lord" often, with the aim of becoming lost in a spirit of worship. Unfortunately, I never truly experienced this rhapsody, despite all my efforts to "turn it on." Even my time in communal worship on Sunday seemed less stirring than usual. It seems my analytical intellect constantly stood in the way. Even using psalms as a stepping stone, I found myself looking up Hebrew words and chain references rather than becoming caught up in praise.

It was frustrating. I prayed that I would be surprised by my capacity to worship; I know it is the reason I was created. I prayed the "I" out of my head in order to increase the "Thou" (I love me some Buber). I prayed for a revelation of what is holding me back; I can't detect any resentment or bitterness or anger or any reason to protect myself in this way of withholding intimacy. I did not receive immediate answers, but I have faith that God is doing his work, and one day, I will be free in expressing my love.

Pastor C. had some great insight that led to positive changes towards the end of this week. Rather than praying, "Thank you, Lord, for x" I have changed my vocabulary to "I love you, Lord, because x." Words are so important and can change hearts. He also gave me the image of a child hugging a parent, and how much it means to have that last tight squeeze before letting go ... not rushing off to other activities but really desiring to linger and cling even tighter.

I want to achieve a continual life of praise, my life as a lovesong, as is expressed in Ps 34:1, Ps 145, Heb 13:15, etc. So though I will not spend another week on this topic in order to better perfect it - for I think this is impossible - I will carry it with me as I learn to practice the other prayer forms in Foster's book.

I want to be constantly aware of adoration, so it truly is the air my heart breathes and the sea my heart swims in. I want to move beyond lip-service, beyond "prayer exercises." I want my heart to break in abject worship. My Lord is more than worthy of such praise.