Blessing expresses the basic movement of Christian prayer: it is an encounter between God and man. In blessing, God’s gift and man’s acceptance of it are united in dialogue with each other. The prayer of blessing is man’s response to God’s gifts: because God blesses, the human heart can in return bless the One who is the source of every blessing.
Two fundamental forms express this movement: our prayer ascends in the Holy Spirit through Christ to the Father—we bless him for having blessed us;1 it implores the grace of the Holy Spirit that descends through Christ from the Father—he blesses us.2
Adoration is the first attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator. It exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us3 and the almighty power of the Savior who sets us free from evil. Adoration is homage of the spirit to the “King of Glory”4, respectful silence in the presence of the “ever greater” God.5 Adoration of the thrice-holy and sovereign God of love blends with humility and gives assurance to our supplications.
Cf. Eph 1:3-14; II Cor 1:3 7; I Pet 1:3-9.
Cf. II Cor 13:14; Rom 15:5-6, 13; Eph 6:23-24.
Cf. Ps 95:1-6.
Ps 24:9-10.
Cf. St. Augustine, En. in Ps. 62,16: PL 36, 757-758.