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 Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 10:45 am
I read in an historical novel once that in the middle ages (of England) there was some debate about whether it was permissable to pray whilst prostrate on the ground, arms held horizontally from the shoulders, in imitation of the position of Christ on the cross.
The author - I can't remember the book - was the person who wrote the Cadfael novels. I don't know how historically accurate they are.
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Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 11:33 pm
I've been taught as Christian that the position doesn't matter, you stop and pray whenever possible to give up your burdens.
I know in some religions facing the ground is disrespectful. The same way facing one friend is a sign of disrespect if your talking to a different one.
Kneeling when your new to faith can be used to keep distractions away so your focused only on prayer.
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Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 5:54 pm
Hi, Im new. Do you all mind if I post my thoughts here?
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Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 6:17 pm
Deidra Diamonds Hi, Im new. Do you all mind if I post my thoughts here? what?? how dare you?? mad oh sure, go ahead, i would like to hear your thoughts. 
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Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 7:20 pm
I think many people bow or kneel for no other reason than because of religious training. A religious spirit if you will. They are trying to appear pious without any real relationship. God hears our prayers no matter where we are......even in the bathroom. That being said I also believe that anyone who has really stood in the presence of the Almighty cannot help but bow in reverance or fall prostrate on the ground. The presence of God was so intense that Adam and Eve ran from it...... And in the Garden the soldiers fell to the ground as if dead when in Jesus presence. Bowing should not be a religious exercise unless it is done as a sign of humility not as a means of trying to manipulate man or God.
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Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:32 pm
Deidra Diamonds I think many people bow or kneel for no other reason than because of religious training. A religious spirit if you will. They are trying to appear pious without any real relationship. God hears our prayers no matter where we are......even in the bathroom. That being said I also believe that anyone who has really stood in the presence of the Almighty cannot help but bow in reverance or fall prostrate on the ground. The presence of God was so intense that Adam and Eve ran from it...... And in the Garden the soldiers fell to the ground as if dead when in Jesus presence. Bowing should not be a religious exercise unless it is done as a sign of humility not as a means of trying to manipulate man or God. Agreed, plenty of people think to reach heaven you only need to appear good. But some really do use it to symbolize humility and such, God is king and it's respectful to bow before your king.
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Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 3:46 pm
Along the same line why do so many people use the word Amen? For instance the Preacher says something like "This world is as mess" and they say "Amen."
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Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 3:34 pm
Deidra Diamonds Along the same line why do so many people use the word Amen? For instance the Preacher says something like "This world is as mess" and they say "Amen." The word means basically "Yes, I agree." So the first verse of kaddish goes, "May the great Name be made greater and sanctified,"* and the people not reciting respond, "Amen." * Well, yithgadal v'yithkadash shmeih rabah, but same thing.
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Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 5:34 pm
I was taught that it means 'So be it" or "let it be" (not sure if we are saying the same thing) and if that is the case why are they in agreement that for instance "The world is a mess"? We have the power of life and death in our tongues and that agreement seems to be affirming death doesn't it?
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Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 5:05 pm
Deidra Diamonds, it means "Let it be so forever", but the "yes I agree" translation is just as accurate. Amen is simply a singular word for agreement. The idea that people use it when talking about how bad the world in actually astounds me. I just don't think people understand the whole meaning behind it. It's agreeing AND saying they want that to be true forever....morbid...
On the subject though of bowing to pray though: Christ taught servitude, and being openly humble. He came here not to be served, but to serve, and servants were all supposed to bow to their "masters" so it makes sense to bow when praying. However, the bible also talks about raising your hands and voices in worship Psalm 63:4 "I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands" Psalm 134:2 "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD" and 1 Timothy 2:8 "I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing"
I don't think it much matters how you pray except that you don't make a spectacle of yourself in your prayer or worship simply to be noticed and appear pious because your reward is only in the eyes of the men you seek to please.
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Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 2:23 pm
I agree with what most people are saying. Kneeling and bowing is a sign of humility before God. But it must be done sincerely. It should be done with the intention of actually being humble before God, not simply appearing to be humble.
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Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 4:49 pm
It's probably seen as a respect thing. It's also common to bow before those in authority, and other religions, such as some Eastern faiths, Hinduism, and Buddhism have bowing in prayer as a form of respect.
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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 1:01 pm
I believe that the idea of bowing your head, or kneeling is a way to show respect and humility to Christ. I have hurt my knees too much, so kneeling is not fun for me. I believe that bowing my head or being in a quiet place that shows the beauty of God is what is important.
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