What is the name of the prayer that begins with ‘glory to god in the highest’: simple, essential guide

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what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’

If you have ever asked yourself what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, you are in very good company. The line is familiar to many people who have attended a Christmas service, a Sunday Eucharist, or even heard classical choral music. In short, the prayer is known as the Gloria, often called the “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” and it holds a cherished place in Christian worship across many traditions. In this guide, we will explain what it is, where it comes from, how it is used, and why it matters—so the next time someone wonders what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, you will be ready with a clear and helpful answer.

Beyond simply naming the prayer, we will explore the story behind “Glory to God in the highest,” how the text developed, when it is used in church services, and how it differs from other well-known prayers. We will also address common questions and clarify a few widespread misconceptions that often arise when people search for what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’.

The quick answer: what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’?

The prayer is called the Gloria, sometimes referred to by its opening words in Latin, “Gloria in excelsis Deo.” When someone asks what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, they are nearly always thinking of this hymn of praise. It is a joyful, exultant text addressed first to God the Father and then to Jesus Christ, concluding with the Holy Spirit. In the Western Christian tradition (Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches), the Gloria is typically sung or said early in the service on Sundays outside penitential seasons, such as Advent and Lent.

The opening line, “Glory to God in the highest,” is directly inspired by the angels’ proclamation in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2:14), announcing the birth of Jesus. This give the Gloria its strong connection to Christmas, though it is not limited to that season. When people ask what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, they are touching on a text that captures the heart of Christian praise at any time of year.

Origins of the line within what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’

The famous first line—“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace…”—comes from Luke 2:14, the angelic hymn sung on the night Jesus was born. Over time, early Christians expanded this biblical acclamation into a fuller hymn of praise. In the West, that expansion became the Gloria used at Mass and other services; in the East, it shaped the “Great Doxology,” which also opens with the same line. So if you are wondering what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, you are linking a line from Scripture to a broader tradition of doxology (praise) that spans many centuries.

Historically, the Gloria likely began as a morning song of praise in Greek before being translated into Latin and incorporated into the liturgy. It gained prominence in the Roman Rite and Anglican worship, as well as in Lutheran liturgy. While its precise textual history is complex, its purpose is simple: to glorify God with a rich, Trinitarian confession of faith.

The structure of the Gloria

Understanding the flow of the Gloria helps answer more than just what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’; it shows how the prayer works theologically and devotionally.

1) Praise to God the Father

The Gloria begins with jubilant praise to God: “Glory to God in the highest…” From there, it moves through a series of acclamations—“We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you”—acknowledging God’s greatness and majesty. This energetic beginning models Christian worship as heartfelt gratitude and adoration.

2) Confession of Jesus Christ, the Son

The middle portion focuses on Jesus Christ, named as “Lord” and “Only Begotten Son,” “Lamb of God,” and “Son of the Father.” It recalls his mercy, asking him to “have mercy on us” and to “receive our prayer.” This portion anchors the Gloria in the core Christian confession: Jesus is the Saviour who takes away the sins of the world.

3) Conclusion in the Holy Spirit

The prayer ends by acknowledging the Holy Spirit, typically with a formula such as, “For you alone are the Holy One… with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.” This final doxology brings the prayer to a Trinitarian close, reminding us that Christian praise is always praise of the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit.

Where and when is the Gloria used?

If someone asks you what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’ during a Sunday service, chances are they are hearing the Gloria in action. Its use varies by tradition, but several common patterns appear.

Roman Catholic Mass

In the Roman Rite, the Gloria is used on Sundays outside of Advent and Lent, and on solemnities and feasts. It follows the Penitential Act and the Kyrie, and precedes the Collect (opening prayer). While the congregation may recite it, it is often sung—either by everyone or led by a choir or cantor. For a clear, official English text as used in many contexts, see the USCCB’s “Order of Mass: Gloria” (official English text in the Roman Rite).

Anglican and Lutheran worship

In Anglican liturgies, including the Church of England’s Common Worship and the Book of Common Prayer traditions, the Gloria is a standard element of the Eucharist on most Sundays and major festivals. Its placement can vary (sometimes at the end of the service in older forms), but its role as a hymn of praise remains constant. For the authorised wording commonly used in England, consult the Church of England’s Common Worship text of the Gloria. Lutherans also maintain the Gloria as part of the ordinary of the Divine Service.

Eastern Christian traditions

In the Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic liturgies following the Byzantine rite, the text that begins with “Glory to God in the highest” is known as the “Great Doxology.” While closely related, it is not identical to the Western Gloria and appears primarily in Orthros (Matins). If you are considering what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’ within an Eastern context, the proper name is the Great Doxology. For an accessible introduction to Orthodoxy more broadly, see our overview of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Language, translations, and music

The Latin title “Gloria in excelsis Deo” is still widely used, and many choral settings preserve that language—think of Mass settings by Vivaldi, Bach, or Mozart. Yet the Gloria is also prayed in the vernacular; in English, most churches follow authorised liturgical translations. When you search for what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, you may encounter slightly different wording across denominations, but the central meaning remains the same.

Musically, the Gloria has inspired countless settings, from simple congregational tunes to large-scale choral works. This fits its character as a burst of praise. Singing the Gloria often helps congregations internalise the text, so they recognise and remember the prayer even if they initially asked what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’.

Why the Gloria matters

The Gloria expresses the heart of Christian worship: gratitude for God’s goodness, confession of Jesus as Saviour, and adoration of the Triune God. It teaches theology through praise—naming attributes of God, recounting Christ’s saving work, and concluding with a Trinitarian doxology. If you started by wondering what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, you will find that learning the Gloria opens a doorway into the wider world of Christian liturgy and belief.

Common confusions and mistakes related to what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’

Not the “Gloria Patri” (“Glory Be”)

People sometimes confuse the Gloria with the “Gloria Patri,” often called the “Glory Be.” The latter begins “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,” and is much shorter. If you hear someone ask what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, they do not mean the “Glory Be,” but the longer hymn known as the Gloria.

Not a Christmas carol

The Christmas carol “Angels we have heard on high” famously uses the refrain “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” which can lead to confusion. The carol celebrates the same biblical moment and borrows the Latin phrase, but it is not the liturgical Gloria. So, when discussing what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, keep in mind that the carol and the prayer are different compositions.

Not the “Sanctus” (“Holy, Holy, Holy”)

The Sanctus is another part of the liturgy that includes the words “Hosanna in the highest” but begins “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.” It is distinct from the Gloria. If you are trying to answer what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, the correct answer is the Gloria, not the Sanctus.

How to pray or sing the Gloria

Once you have identified what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’ as the Gloria, you might wish to participate more meaningfully. Here are simple pointers.

Posture and participation

Standing: In many traditions, the congregation stands to sing or say the Gloria as a sign of reverence and joy.
Joining in: If the Gloria is sung, try to join the refrain or the congregational parts. If it is said, speak clearly and together.
Listening with intention: If a choir sings a setting that is unfamiliar, listen attentively to the words and allow the music to carry your prayer.

Tips for learning the text

Focus on the flow: Praise of the Father, confession of the Son, conclusion in the Holy Spirit.
Memorise the opening: The opening line anchors the rest—“Glory to God in the highest…” Recognising it helps you immediately identify what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’.
Use a service sheet or hymnal: Printed texts support participation until the words become familiar.

Examples of the text

In many English-language services, you may hear a version such as: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you…” While wording varies slightly by denomination and translation, the substance is highly consistent across major churches. If your question is what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, these opening words will confirm you have found the Gloria.

For historical background and comparison of wording, the encyclopaedic article at Wikipedia’s “Gloria in excelsis Deo” entry offers a useful overview and references. For Eastern usage, you can explore the Great Doxology as summarised on OrthodoxWiki’s article on the Doxology.

The Gloria and Christian identity

It may seem a small thing to ask what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, but the answer connects you to a practice that unites Christians around the world. On any given Sunday, hundreds of millions gather for worship, many of them praying the Gloria in their own language. If you are curious about the size and diversity of this global community, see our overview of how many Christians there are in the world.

By learning the Gloria, you step into a living tradition that shapes belief through praise and forms community through shared words. The repetition of “Glory to God in the highest” reminds worshippers that Christian faith begins not with ourselves, but with God’s goodness and mercy.

Recommended external resources

Frequently asked questions about what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’

Is the prayer called “Gloria” or “Gloria in excelsis Deo”?

Both are correct. The common name is “the Gloria,” while “Gloria in excelsis Deo” is the traditional Latin incipit (opening words). If you are asking what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, “the Gloria” is the standard answer in most churches.

Where in the service does the Gloria usually appear?

In the Roman Catholic Mass and many Anglican and Lutheran services, the Gloria appears near the beginning, after the Kyrie and before the Collect. It is omitted in penitential seasons such as Advent and Lent. In Eastern Orthodox worship, the similar opening line appears in the Great Doxology at Matins.

Is the Gloria the same as the “Glory Be” (Gloria Patri)?

No. The “Glory Be” is a short doxology: “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…” The Gloria is a longer hymn beginning “Glory to God in the highest.” So when you ask what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, you mean the Gloria, not the Gloria Patri.

May the Gloria be sung or must it be spoken?

It may be either sung or spoken. Many communities prefer to sing it because of its joyful, celebratory character. In some settings, a choir leads; in others, the whole congregation sings together.

Does the Gloria exist in different translations?

Yes. While the essential meaning is consistent, different denominations and regions have authorised translations in their liturgical books. These may differ slightly in phrasing but convey the same praise and confession.

What is the Eastern equivalent called?

In Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic practice, the text that begins “Glory to God in the highest” is known as the Great Doxology and is used at Orthros (Matins). It is closely related in spirit to the Western Gloria but not textually identical.

Why is the Gloria omitted in Advent and Lent?

These are penitential seasons focused on preparation and reflection. The omission of the Gloria underscores the season’s tone, so that the return of the Gloria at Christmas and Easter seasons feels particularly joyful.

Conclusion on what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’

If your first question was what is the name of the prayer that begins with \\\’glory to god in the highest\\\’, the most direct answer is: the Gloria. This ancient hymn of praise, rooted in the angels’ song from Luke’s Gospel, has been cherished for centuries across Christian traditions. It gives worshippers a language of

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