Why kneel in prayer

We read in the Bible that Jesus did kneel when He prayed. Jesus was accompanied by His disciples as they prayed on the Mount of Olives. There were also times He prayed in a standing position as the disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray. Sometimes prayer is spontaneous and takes a variety of physical positions. All of these examples illustrate acceptable ways of prayer. Scripture commands us to proclaim God's greatness by means of our bodies. Here are a few additional examples of ways God is pleased with our worship.

Some danced and sang their prayers as Miriam did Exodus The Israelites bowed their heads in gratitude and worship Exodus Job fell to the ground to petition God Job The Levites stood and praised the Lord with a loud shout 2 Chronicles Come, everyone, and clap your hands for joy!

Shout to God with joyful praise! As early as Daniel—and perhaps earlier—we see prayer occurring three times a day. Daily prayer involved kneeling, a la Psalm and Daniel , as a gesture of humility and reverence. The traditions of both Judaism and Christianity point to the fact that kneeling is the most primitive and basic of gestures and it cannot be separated from prayer.

We are whole people made by a Holy God and our worship of Him ought to acknowledge such a reality: to kneel is to worship through prayer. Our Orthodox brothers and sisters follow these and have reverent worship standing and not kneeling for prayer.

I know Anglicans are not going to rip out the pews and follow this, but it seems to me the Orthodox historical and theological basis is at least as strong as the Western tradition of kneeling. TW, great question. The veneration of icons, the consistent and regular crossing of one-self, and the various elements of the Divine Liturgy all point to a whole bodied worship. While I certainly said that to kneel in prayer is to worship I would definitely not go as far as saying that kneeling is the only way to worship in prayer.

I think that our Eastern brothers and sisters bring a vibrant liturgical tradition to the table to which we need to pay attention. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Previous Next. Why Do We Kneel in Prayer? Whole-Bodied Worship It cannot be overstated that liturgical worship is participatory and whole-bodied in nature. Share This!

About the Author: Porter Taylor. The Rev. Porter C. Taylor is a PhD student at the University of Aberdeen where he is writing his dissertation on liturgical theology. Without such conviction, kneeling in prayer can seem like an uncomfortable waste of time. But with it, kneeling can again become a physical and tangible display. Furthermore, since kneeling encompasses the spirit of submission, reverence, and humility , it exhibits the attitude our most holy God is due.

The precise attitude his presence naturally reveals within the heart that seeks him, and the attitude he ultimately requires. A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks John For I am lost; I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King Kneel in prayer for the purpose of intention.

As far as the Lord is holy, man is… not. Maybe this is one reason Jesus taught his disciples to pray in secret, behind closed doors, himself frequently withdrawing to pray Luke Presumably, He also knelt to do so, though it was only visibly recorded once see Luke Either way, it's in quiet solitude where Christians can more easily pray, with uninterrupted intention.

Even benefiting from the increased focus that comes with kneeling, and its rewards like no other. Go into your room and shut the door and pray… And your Father who sees in secret will reward you Matthew For thus says the One… who inhabits eternity Truth is, physical posture has a way of affecting mindset while mindset has a way of affecting posture.

Likewise, kneeling in prayer has a way of connecting the body, heart, and mind. This is why a kneeling prayer posture is uniquely able to enforce intention, facilitate confession, and promote humility. All while supporting an attitude of meekness Matthew , weakness 2 Corinthians , and reverence Hebrews Each of these, a vital component to biblical worship and prayer, and each of these, modeled ever so nicely in the kneeling approach to prayer. Be doers of the word, and not hearers only… James Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship Romans Kneel in prayer, for Christ is King.

Since Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords Revelation , the One to whom all authority has been given Matthew , kneeling is a natural and appropriate response. A truth soon to be widely realized on that day when every knee shall bow Philippians Not out of obligation, but desire, the result of a graciously regenerated heart — only then so deeply inclined.