Christianity & Worship (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

Liturgical, informal & individual worship

What are the differences between liturgical, informal and individual worship?

• Worship in Christianity is when Christians show respect and appreciation towards God

• Worship can take many different forms, including prayer, Holy Communion or collective worship

• Worship may be “reverence” for God and “paying homage” to God

• Worship as reverence could relate to certain parts of Scripture 

• Worship as “paying homage” could relate to other parts of Scripture

What is the difference between liturgical and non-liturgical worship?

• Worship may be liturgical or non-liturgical 

Liturgical worship

• Liturgical worship is when Christians worship according to a set pattern and on a regular basis

  • This is often the preferred style of worship for Catholics and Anglicans

• The clergy (ordained priests, vicars, etc.) play an important and central role in this type of worship

• Prayers are usually read from a book, e.g. the Book of Common Prayer or Common Worship for Anglicans

• Liturgical worship is likely to look the same in different churches that belong to the same congregation

• Services are full of signs and symbols

• It will be ordered, structured and always follows the same pattern

Non-liturgical worship

• Non-liturgical worship is less formal and does not always follow a set pattern 

  • This is often the preferred style of Methodists and Pentecostalists 

• Ministers may play a less prominent role and may allow others to lead/preach as part of a rota

• Extempore prayers are used (made up on the spot rather than from a book) 

• There is no set pattern or theme, and it varies from church to church

• It is likely to be more Bible-centred, stripped back to the “basics”

• The congregation often reinvent services following the direction of the Holy Spirit

What is informal worship?

• Informal worship focuses on the adoration of God and can take place outside a church

• Informal worship services often attract hundreds of people and may be held in large auditoriums, homes, small groups or Evangelical/Pentecostal churches

• The music used during informal worship is popular and modern in style, often involving instruments, clapping and dancing

• There is often no fixed order of service, as it is led by the Holy Spirit

  • It often includes spontaneous prayer, personal testimony and open prayer

  • Practices such as speaking in tongues, prophecy or healing (charismatic gifts) often occur as part of the service

• The practice reflects the early Church when people met in homes and prayed together spontaneously 

What is individual worship?

• Individual worship is when a Christian worships alone, rather than in a church service or group

  • It is personal and private, focused on building a one-to-one relationship with God

• There are different ways in which Christians can worship individually

  • Through personal prayers of thanks, confession or requests (intercession)

  • It could be through Bible reading or Bible study while reflecting on scripture for guidance

  • Christians could choose to meditate or reflect by thinking deeply about God’s presence and will

  • Some Christians use aids to help them worship alone, for example: prayer books, rosary (Catholic), icons (Orthodox) or technology

• Jesus taught about private prayer

• Many psalms (for example, Psalm 63) involve individuals speaking directly to God

The nature and importance of prayer

What are prayers?

• Prayer is a way of communicating with God to ask for help or to express thanks

• It enables religious believers to encounter God and know God better, as many people believe that God speaks directly to them through prayer

• People also feel that God listens to their prayers 

  • They share problems and worries in life with God 

  • They believe that God will show them a way of dealing with their problems

• There are different types of prayer within Christianity

  • Adoration: Praising and worshipping God for his greatness and holiness

  • Confession: Asking God for forgiveness for any wrongdoings and seeking reconciliation

  • Thanksgiving: Giving thanks to God for his blessings and grace

  • Supplication (intercession): Asking God for help, guidance or blessings, either for yourself (supplication) or others (intercession)

Christian teachings about prayers

• Christians believe that prayer is a way to talk to God and build a relationship with him, expressing feelings and seeking his guidance

• Prayer is not just about asking for things; it is also about listening to God and being open to his will

• There are many examples of prayer in the Bible that act as examples of how and why Christians should pray

  • Jesus gave his followers a model of prayer known as the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13)

    • It includes praise for God, a request for daily needs, forgiveness and help in times of temptation

  • In Matthew 6:6, Jesus teaches that prayer should be done privately and sincerely, not for show

    • Christians are encouraged to pray from their hearts, rather than using empty words

  • Christians believe that the Holy Spirit helps them to pray, especially when they do not know what to pray for

    • The Holy Spirit can guide prayers and help people express things they cannot articulate themselves (Romans 8:26–27)

  • Through parables, such as the Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1–8), Jesus taught Christians to keep praying and not give up, trusting that God will answer prayers in his time

  • Christians are encouraged to pray communally, as seen in the early church (Acts 2:42–47)

    • Group prayers can build a sense of unity and shared faith

    • In many Christian traditions, prayer meetings and services are held to bring people together to pray for each other and the world

  • While public prayers in church are important, personal, private prayer is also seen as vital

  • Jesus emphasised this in Matthew 6:6: “When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen”

  • Public prayers, such as those said during church services or for special events, are important too, as they bring people together in worship and petition to God

• Christians believe that prayer has the power to bring about change

  • It is not just about asking for things, but also about transforming the person who prays

  • Prayer is seen as a way to align oneself with God’s will and bring peace or healing

• Christians believe that through prayer, God can bring healing, perform miracles or give strength in difficult times

Set prayers and informal prayers

What are set prayers?

• Set prayers are prayers that are written down and used regularly by individuals or groups

• Set prayers can be found in prayer books or used in services

• There are many examples of set prayers from across the different Christian denominations, including:

  • The Lord’s Prayer

  • Prayers from the Book of Common Prayer (Anglican tradition)

  • The Rosary (Catholic tradition)

• There are many different reasons why set prayers might be used by Christians

  • They can provide a shared language for worship across the Church

  • They help Christians focus when they may not know what to pray about

  • Set prayers can ensure that prayers are traditional and based on Christian belief and teaching

  • They can also create unity when carried out as part of group worship

What are informal prayers?

• Informal prayers are spontaneous, personal prayers in a believer’s own words

  • They are often used in private worship or charismatic churches

  • There are many different examples of what this might look like in Christianity

    • This could be an individual praying freely about personal concerns

    • Someone could be asking or thanking God for something related to their lives

  • There are lots of reasons why a Christian may want to pray informally

    • It could be to express a personal relationship with God

    • Believers may believe that they are being led by the Holy Spirit in their prayers

    • It may show to Christians that God is approachable and cares about individuals

• Both set prayers and informal prayers may play a big part in the life of a Christian

  • Set prayers connect Christians with tradition, while informal prayers make faith personal and immediate

Society of Friends & worship

What is the Society of Friends, and how do they worship?

• The Society of Friends (Quakers) are a Christian denomination that was founded in the 17th century by George Fox

  • It is a Christian group that believes in the inner light, meaning that God is present in everyone

• The way that the Society of Friends worship is very different from most Christian services

  • It is non-liturgical and usually held in silence with no set prayers, hymns or sacraments

  • The services have no clergy because all are equal before God

  • Worshippers sit together, often in a circle or square, waiting in silence

  • Anyone who feels led by the Holy Spirit may stand and speak, pray or read

• The purpose of worship for Quakers is to listen for God’s presence and guidance in silence

  • It also allows individuals to share messages believed to be inspired by God

  • Worship demonstrates the Quaker belief in equality since anyone may speak

  • Worship is also seen to strengthen commitment to Quaker values, such as peace and social justice

• The way that worship takes place shows that formal rituals are not needed for meaningful worship 

• It also highlights Christian diversity in worship traditions

Evangelical worship

What is Evangelical worship?

• Evangelicalism is a branch of Christianity that focuses on the Bible as the Word of God, personal faith in Jesus and sharing the Gospel 

• Evangelical worship is often informal, lively and centred on experiencing the Holy Spirit

• There are certain features that relate to worship within Evangelical services

  • They are non-liturgical (not following a fixed structure)

  • There are often long, passionate sermons based on the Bible

  • The style is viewed as charismatic, meaning that there is joyful and expressive worship

  • There can be modern music, bands and contemporary hymns

  • Prayer is spontaneous, personal and often aloud

  • Worship can include the practice of speaking in tongues (glossolalia), prophecy, healing and laying on of hands

  • There is a strong emphasis on personal relationship with God and direct action of the Holy Spirit

• The practice is inspired by biblical teaching, particularly the events of the Pentecost