Why do Christians pray and go on pilgrimage?
The nature and purpose of prayer, including set, informal and the Lord's Prayer, and the nature, purpose and places of pilgrimage.
A focused answer on Christian prayer and pilgrimage for Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (1RA0), covering set and informal prayer, the Lord's Prayer, and pilgrimage sites such as Lourdes, Iona and Walsingham.
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What this dot point is asking
Edexcel wants you to explain the nature and purpose of prayer, the different types (set prayers, informal prayer and the Lord's Prayer), when and why each is used, and the nature, history and purpose of pilgrimage, including the significance of named places. Prayer and pilgrimage are key Christian practices that put belief into action.
The nature and purpose of prayer
Prayer is at the heart of Christian practice; it is how believers communicate with God.
Christians pray for many reasons: to build a relationship with God, to follow Jesus' example (he often went away to pray), to ask for help, comfort and guidance, and to say sorry and give thanks. They hold divergent attitudes about which kind of prayer matters most. Some value set prayers because they use carefully chosen, shared words and unite the congregation; others value informal prayer because it feels personal and lets the Holy Spirit lead. The Lord's Prayer, taught by Jesus in Matthew 6:9 to 13 ("Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name"), is the model prayer for all Christians and is used in almost every tradition, which makes it the clearest example to cite.
Pilgrimage: nature and purpose
The act of journeying and praying away from ordinary life helps many Christians focus on God. Some pilgrimages are linked to the life of Jesus, others to events of healing or to the saints. The Gospel records Jesus himself going up to Jerusalem for the festivals (Luke 2:41 to 43), which Christians take as encouragement to travel to holy places. However, attitudes diverge: many Protestants argue that God is present everywhere and that pilgrimage is unnecessary, since prayer, the Bible and worship at home or church bring people just as close to God, while Catholics value pilgrimage as a powerful aid to devotion.
Christian places of pilgrimage
The specification names several important sites, each with its own character. Jerusalem is the holiest city, where Jesus died and rose, drawing pilgrims to the places of his life. Lourdes in France is a site of reported healing, where Catholics come especially to pray for the sick at the spring. Iona, a small Scottish island, is a place of quiet, prayer and Celtic Christian heritage associated with an ecumenical community. Taize in France draws young people from many traditions for simple, reflective worship and chants. Walsingham in England is a historic Marian shrine visited by Anglicans and Catholics. Each offers something different: healing, quiet, community or a link to Jesus and the saints.
For the exam, be able to name a couple of sites and say why people go there, and link pilgrimage to prayer and worship, since pilgrimage is prayer in action. A strong Evaluate answer weighs whether pilgrimage is the best way to grow closer to God or simply one way among prayer, the sacraments and reading the Bible, noting the Protestant view that God is found everywhere and the Catholic value placed on holy places.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of Pearson Edexcel exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Edexcel 1RA0 20193 marksOutline three types of Christian prayer.Show worked answer →
A 3-mark Outline question (AO1): three accurate, distinct types. Acceptable points include: set prayers, such as the Lord's Prayer; informal or extempore prayer in a person's own words; prayers of thanksgiving; prayers of confession; prayers of intercession (asking for others); silent or meditative prayer. One mark for each distinct type, no development needed.
Edexcel 1RA0 20184 marksExplain two reasons why prayer is important for Christians.Show worked answer →
A 4-mark Explain question (AO1): two developed reasons. Reason one: prayer is how Christians talk to God, building a relationship and following Jesus' example, who often prayed and taught the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9 to 13). Reason two: prayer brings comfort, guidance and strength, and is a way of asking for help for oneself and others. Two marks for each developed point.
Edexcel 1RA0 20225 marksExplain two reasons why some Christians go on pilgrimage. In your answer you must refer to a source of wisdom and authority.Show worked answer →
A 5-mark Explain question (AO1): two developed reasons plus a source. Reason one: pilgrimage strengthens faith and brings people closer to God through prayer at a holy place. Reason two: some go seeking healing (as at Lourdes) or to do penance and reflect. Support with a source: the example of Jesus going up to Jerusalem for the festivals (Luke 2:41 to 43), or another relevant teaching. The accurate source secures the fifth mark.
Edexcel 1RA0 202112 marks"Pilgrimage is the best way for a Christian to grow closer to God." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, refer to Christian teaching, and reach a justified conclusion. [12 marks plus 3 SPaG]Show worked answer →
The 12-mark Evaluate question (AO2), plus 3 SPaG. Arguments for: pilgrimage to places such as Lourdes, Iona or Walsingham focuses the mind on God, strengthens faith through shared worship, and can bring healing or renewal away from daily life. Arguments for a different view: many Christians, especially Protestants, believe God is found everywhere and that prayer, the Bible and the sacraments at home or church are just as effective, so pilgrimage is helpful but not necessary or best. Use specialist terms (pilgrimage, penance, Lourdes, Iona). Reach a justified conclusion weighing pilgrimage against ordinary worship and prayer. The best answers sustain a line of reasoning.
Related dot points
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Sources & how we know this
- Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Religious Studies A (1RA0) specification — Pearson Edexcel (2016)