Jesus summarised the Ten Commandments in two sentences: ‘ “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind.” That is the greatest commandment. It comes first. The second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” ’ (Matthew 22. 37 – 39).
Most Christians will also go to church on Sundays to worship and to pray to God. There are four main types of prayer: adoration, confession, thanksgiving and Intercession.
Adoration is to adore God, to worship him and to fulfil the commandment to love him with all of our heart, mind and soul. As we spend time in adoration, we praise God for who He is - our Creator, our Sustainer and our Redeemer.
Confession is when Christians admit to God the things that they have done wrong, and seeking forgiveness for them. It allows them to clear away the things in the relationship between them and God that are displeasing to Him. All of them have sinned. St John writes in his epistle: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Christians belive that one of the most wonderful things about being a Christian is that when they go before Father God and say sorry, He always forgives them. This is unlike human parents, friends or colleagues who at times may have said that they forgave someone, but secretly harbour resentment. God’s forgiveness is total and complete.
Thanksgiving is thanking someone. Christians believe that every minute that they can remember the wonderful things that God had done for them, and the gifts that they had been given, and so they need to be constantly thanking God for His blessings. In a letter from Paul to Timothy, it is clear that they should be giving thanks for everyday, worldly things. Timothy 1:2 Lines 1-3: ‘First of all, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered for all men; for sovereigns and all in high office, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in full observance of religion and high standards of morality.’
Intercession is when Christians ask God for their need and the needs of others. There are many demands, topics and issues that they could pray for, like: healing, national and international concerns, the church and for themselves, and so they would need to choose and be specific.
Also the crucifixion of Jesus influenced Christians, as Jesus had died on the cross so that our sins might be forgiven. They would feel that it is their duty to do good and to worship God and not to do wrong.
Christians are influenced a lot by their beliefs and will do as much as they can to do good and to lead their lives according to God’s wishes.
