“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) That is how it all began and that is how we all began. Each one of us as a unique creation of God! Psalm 139 says this so beautifully: “For you formed my inward parts, you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am wondrously made. Wonderful are your works!” (Psalm 139:13-14). A is for Adoration because it is the first and most important act we are called to do as Christians — Adore our God who is without equal — the Alpha and the Omega, the Creator of all, our Heavenly Father who loves us so profoundly and intimately — each one of us is uniquely His!
God Almighty is so worthy of our praise regardless of our circumstances (remember Job!) —whether we are experiencing joy or suffering, whether we feel like laughing or crying, whether we are confident and exhilarated or uncertain, afraid and confused. We begin with Adoration in our Family A.L.T.A.R. time because Adoration reminds us of why we exist, why we breathe, why we even have an awareness of being alive! Adoration can be in many forms — a prayer, a hymn or a poem — one of my favorite ways to Adore is by singing. A few years ago, I heard Sarah Mackenzie speak at an Advent retreat and I loved her suggestion of starting her morning circle with the well-known simple, but beautiful Doxology:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above Ye Heavenly Hosts
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Amen
Another favorite of mine is Father, I Adore You from the wonderful music compilation, Making Music Praying Twice, and is lovely sung as a round . .
Father, I adore You
Lay my life before You
How I love You
Jesus, I adore You
Lay my life before You
How I love You
Spirit, I adore You
Lay my life before You
How I love You
These are easy melodies to sing with younger ones, short enough for the (occasionally) impatient teenager, and a beautiful way to raise our voices together as a family in song as we adore our Lord!