Lesson 26 – Worship, Praise, and Prayer Words
Unit 3: Compartiendo la Fe | Unit Overview | Course Home
Review Flash
(5 minutes — say the Spanish before looking)
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| the worship service | el culto |
| the sermon | el sermón |
| the congregation | la congregación |
| Sunday school | la escuela dominical |
| the believer | el/la creyente |
Lesson Goals
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Use common worship and praise expressions
- Understand and use prayer vocabulary
- Open and close a prayer in Spanish
- Participate in congregational worship without feeling lost
New Vocabulary: Worship and Praise
| Spanish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| alabar | ah-lah-BAR | to praise |
| adorar | ah-doh-RAR | to worship |
| glorificar | gloh-ree-fee-KAR | to glorify |
| exaltar | ex-ahl-TAR | to exalt |
| la gloria | lah GLOH-ryah | glory |
| el honor | el oh-NOR | honor |
| la gracia | lah GRAH-syah | grace |
| la misericordia | lah mee-seh-ree-KOR-dyah | mercy |
| el poder | el poh-DEHR | power |
| la santidad | lah sahn-tee-DAHD | holiness |
| digno / digna | DEEG-noh | worthy |
| bendito / bendita | behn-DEE-toh | blessed |
| Santo | SAHN-toh | Holy |
| ¡Aleluya! | ah-leh-LOO-yah | Hallelujah! |
| ¡Amén! | ah-MEHN | Amen! |
| ¡Gloria a Dios! | Glory to God! | |
| Gracias a Dios | Thank God / Thanks be to God | |
| Que Dios te bendiga | May God bless you | |
| Dios es fiel | God is faithful | |
| ¡El Señor es bueno! | The Lord is good! |
New Vocabulary: Prayer
| Spanish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| orar | oh-RAR | to pray |
| la oración | the prayer | |
| el Padre Nuestro | the Lord’s Prayer | |
| pedir | peh-DEER | to ask / petition |
| agradecer | ah-grah-deh-SEHR | to give thanks |
| confesar | kohn-feh-SAR | to confess |
| interceder | een-tehr-seh-DEHR | to intercede |
| clamar | klah-MAR | to cry out (to God) |
| en el nombre de Jesús | in the name of Jesus | |
| Señor | seh-NYOR | Lord |
| Padre celestial | Heavenly Father | |
| Espíritu Santo | Holy Spirit | |
| te lo pedimos | we ask you | |
| en tu voluntad | in your will | |
| Hágase tu voluntad | Your will be done | |
| te damos gracias | we give you thanks | |
| perdónanos | forgive us | |
| guíanos | guide us | |
| te adoramos | we worship you |
Grammar Focus: Vosotros vs. Ustedes in Prayers
Older Spanish Bibles and traditional prayers often use vosotros (an archaic “you all” form used only in Spain). In Latin America, this form still appears in prayers and old hymns:
- Porque vosotros sois la luz del mundo. (old prayer style)
- Normal speech in Latin America: ustedes son la luz del mundo.
When you hear vosotros in a prayer or song in Latin America, it is formal/archaic usage in a religious context. You don’t need to use it, but you should recognize it.
Also: the imperative in prayer Spanish prayers often use command forms to petition God:
- Guíanos, Señor. — Guide us, Lord.
- Perdónanos. — Forgive us.
- Sana a nuestra comunidad. — Heal our community.
- Danos sabiduría. — Give us wisdom.
- Cuídanos. — Watch over us / Take care of us.
Story: La Noche de Alabanza (The Praise Night)
El equipo misionero participa en una noche especial de alabanza en la iglesia. Sara describe lo que pasa.
“La alabanza duró casi dos horas. Al principio oramos juntos. El pastor empezó con estas palabras: ‘Padre celestial, te adoramos esta noche. Tú eres digno de toda gloria y honor. Gracias por tu misericordia y tu gracia.’ Todos respondían: ‘¡Amén!’ y ‘¡Gloria a Dios!’
Luego cantamos canciones. No conocía las letras, pero puse la mano en el corazón y adoré como pude. Una señora mayor se paró a mi lado y me susurró la letra.
Al final, el pastor dijo: ‘¿Hay alguien aquí esta noche que quiere dar su vida a Cristo?’ Yo miré a mi alrededor. Dos jóvenes levantaron la mano. El pastor los guió en una oración. ¡Qué noche!”
(The praise night lasted almost two hours… “Heavenly Father, we worship you tonight. You are worthy of all glory and honor…” An elderly woman stood next to me and whispered the lyrics to me. At the end: “Is there anyone here tonight who wants to give their life to Christ?” Two young people raised their hands. The pastor led them in a prayer. What a night!)
Comprehension Check:
- ¿Cuánto tiempo duró la alabanza? (How long did the praise last?)
- ¿Qué hizo Sara cuando no conocía las letras? (What did Sara do when she didn’t know the lyrics?)
- ¿Qué pasó al final del culto? (What happened at the end of the service?)
¡Practícalo! (Speaking Practice)
Practice opening a prayer in Spanish. Say it out loud three times until it feels natural:
“Padre celestial, te damos gracias por este día. Tú eres bueno y tu misericordia es eterna. Te adoramos, Señor. Guíanos en todo lo que hacemos. En el nombre de Jesús, amén.”
Then practice a simple praise expression after each of these scenarios:
- Your team arrives safely → ¡Gracias a Dios!
- Something beautiful happens → ¡Gloria a Dios!
- God provides a need → Dios es fiel.
- Leaving someone → Que Dios te bendiga.
Cultural Note
Congregational prayer styles: In many Latin American evangelical churches, it is common for the entire congregation to pray aloud simultaneously — each person praying their own prayer at the same time. This can seem chaotic to outsiders, but it is genuine, passionate corporate prayer. Join in by praying quietly in whatever language you have — God hears all of it. Raising your hands during worship is normal and expected; feel free to participate. The worship atmosphere is often emotional and expressive; tears, shouting of praise, and physical movement are all common.
Oración
“Alabad a Jehová, porque Él es bueno; porque para siempre es su misericordia.” (Praise the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.) — Salmos 136:1
¡El Señor es bueno! Now you know how to say it.
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