On our knees

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M

mrh35

Member
#1
May 22, 2014
94
1
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#1
Hi all I guess this is a question asked many times.....
But why do some churches have us pray on our knees and others just sat in the chair bowing down?
Is there a protocol to say you should be on your knees I confess I have found it more beneficial a better feeling on my knees but only at home as no one goes on there knees at my church.
 
posthuman

posthuman

Senior Member
#2
Jul 31, 2013
36,691
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#2
it's more or less a matter of custom and tradition, i think.
bowing your head or getting on your knees is a physical sign of humility -- but you'll find in the Bible examples of people praying in all postures, from face to the ground to standing with head lifted up to the sky.

the important thing is the respect you show in your heart and mind to God, when you pray - we don't pray in a certain way to please others, but to God. if you feel you should bend your knees, do it. its better to have a clear conscience before God than it is to satisfy tradition, just for the sake of tradition. :)
 
T

Timothy552

Guest
#3
#3
mrh35 said:
Hi all I guess this is a question asked many times.....
But why do some churches have us pray on our knees and others just sat in the chair bowing down?
Is there a protocol to say you should be on your knees I confess I have found it more beneficial a better feeling on my knees but only at home as no one goes on there knees at my church.
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Just pray-that is the important part. God wants a relationship, you and Him. Man has made the waters mucky with rules and whatnot.
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#4
Nov 24, 2012
30,709
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#4
Standing, sitting or kneeling...as long as our heart is prostrate.
 
Y

yoninah

Guest
#5
#5
mrh35 said:
Is there a protocol to say you should be on your knees
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I Thess 5:17 says we should pray without ceasing. Kneeling might prove a bit awkward :).

We need to continue in prayer/communication with God throughout our lives. At a fellowship I was once at we changed the leader's end exhortation (and it stuck) of 'Who would like to close in prayer tonight?' to 'Who would like to continue in prayer for us as we end the meeting?'. Because prayer continues - communication with God is as relevant when you're walking along the street and see a need for prayer as when you're in a building.

The OT believer knew God lived in a fixed location where they went to. In the NT, God is within a mobile location and we carry Him around with us. Lines are always open, there is never an engaged tone and the router doesn't break.

As people above have said, kneeling can be a mark of respect that people feel the need to perform. However, like most actions, kneeling can easily become a methodology that becomes traditional. Having the attitude of subservience to God in prayer is what's the most importance - but if you wish to express it by an outward demonstration, that isn't a problem...

...but kneeling to pray is probably not the most advisable action to perform if you're walking down your High Street.
 
M

mrh35

Member
#6
May 22, 2014
94
1
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#6
I also read on a couple of sites about the praying facedown on the floor again as you said not a good idea the high street I have also read on numerous sites of praying naked being at one honest and open with God nothing to hide I read how fulfilling it was for those who did such..again not great idea in the high street but having read up on it i understand and i see and agree there is no right or wrong.....just do it ....
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#7
Nov 24, 2012
30,709
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#7
Probably leave the trumpet at home when you pray :)

Matthew 6:5 KJVS
[5] And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are : for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
 
Angela53510

Angela53510

Senior Member
#8
Jan 24, 2011
11,782
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#8
My knees are super bad. Between OA, RA, and quite a few bad bicycling accidents, I haven't been able to pray on my knees in years. But I think God knows my heart. He answers prayer, and he always reassures me of his love and forgiveness.

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#9
Nov 24, 2012
30,709
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#9
Here is a position I pray none here will have to pray from.

Luke 23:42 KJVS
[42] And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. (hanging from the cross)
 
K

Kaycie

Guest
#10
#10
In the Old Testament things were done physically that are now done spiritually in the New Testament. But even though we do things spiritually, we are still in physical bodies, therefore what we do is still going to require physicality, and it can be hard to recognize the difference, so let me give some examples...

When they physically praised God in the Old Testament they used physical man-made instruments. But when we praise God in the New Testament we use the instruments He made by singing from our hearts.

Or again, Moses had to take off his shoes in God's presence- for the place he stood is holy ground. So why don't we take off our shoes at church? We do in our attitude. Taking off shoes, getting on our knees, bowing down to the floor- such things are now done spiritually in our hearts. The tabernacle is no longer His sanctuary- He does not reside in buildings, we are the temple of God. So instead of taking our shoes off in a building, we do such in our hearts. Someday we will no longer have a body in order to bend and bow, it's not the action, it's the attitude of reverence.
 
M

mrh35

Member
#11
May 22, 2014
94
1
8
#11
Kaycie said:
In the Old Testament things were done physically that are now done spiritually in the New Testament. But even though we do things spiritually, we are still in physical bodies, therefore what we do is still going to require physicality, and it can be hard to recognize the difference, so let me give some examples...

When they physically praised God in the Old Testament they used physical man-made instruments. But when we praise God in the New Testament we use the instruments He made by singing from our hearts.

Or again, Moses had to take off his shoes in God's presence- for the place he stood is holy ground. So why don't we take off our shoes at church? We do in our attitude. Taking off shoes, getting on our knees, bowing down to the floor- such things are now done spiritually in our hearts. The tabernacle is no longer His sanctuary- He does not reside in buildings, we are the temple of God. So instead of taking our shoes off in a building, we do such in our hearts. Someday we will no longer have a body in order to bend and bow, it's not the action, it's the attitude of reverence.
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Yes I agree over the passage everything has changed mainly attitudes towards how do things, As a child when I prayed it was either on my knees by my bed or stood up in school assembly no privacy in the latter but plenty on your own at home.. I pray on my knees when at home but again usually sat down whilst at church, I have never prayed face down as i always thought that something reserved for Nuns, and as for the naked prayer i thought that was a new age thing but read the web and its an expression of hiding nothing baring all to God as the day we were born.
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#13
Nov 24, 2012
30,709
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#13
Kaycie said:
In the Old Testament things were done physically that are now done spiritually in the New Testament. But even though we do things spiritually, we are still in physical bodies, therefore what we do is still going to require physicality, and it can be hard to recognize the difference, so let me give some examples...

When they physically praised God in the Old Testament they used physical man-made instruments. But when we praise God in the New Testament we use the instruments He made by singing from our hearts.

Or again, Moses had to take off his shoes in God's presence- for the place he stood is holy ground. So why don't we take off our shoes at church? We do in our attitude. Taking off shoes, getting on our knees, bowing down to the floor- such things are now done spiritually in our hearts. The tabernacle is no longer His sanctuary- He does not reside in buildings, we are the temple of God. So instead of taking our shoes off in a building, we do such in our hearts. Someday we will no longer have a body in order to bend and bow, it's not the action, it's the attitude of reverence.
Click to expand...
Ever hear a Bach Cantata?
 
p_rehbein

p_rehbein

Senior Member
#14
Sep 4, 2013
30,303
6,593
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#14
Kaycie said:
In the Old Testament things were done physically that are now done spiritually in the New Testament. But even though we do things spiritually, we are still in physical bodies, therefore what we do is still going to require physicality, and it can be hard to recognize the difference, so let me give some examples...

When they physically praised God in the Old Testament they used physical man-made instruments. But when we praise God in the New Testament we use the instruments He made by singing from our hearts.

Or again, Moses had to take off his shoes in God's presence- for the place he stood is holy ground. So why don't we take off our shoes at church? We do in our attitude. Taking off shoes, getting on our knees, bowing down to the floor- such things are now done spiritually in our hearts. The tabernacle is no longer His sanctuary- He does not reside in buildings, we are the temple of God. So instead of taking our shoes off in a building, we do such in our hearts. Someday we will no longer have a body in order to bend and bow, it's not the action, it's the attitude of reverence.
Click to expand...

So, you are saying that we today can not use musical instruments to praise God?

Hmm
 
blue_ladybug

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
#15
Feb 21, 2014
70,869
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#15
mrh35 said:
Hi all I guess this is a question asked many times.....
But why do some churches have us pray on our knees and others just sat in the chair bowing down?
Is there a protocol to say you should be on your knees I confess I have found it more beneficial a better feeling on my knees but only at home as no one goes on there knees at my church.
Click to expand...

I'm too old and decrepit to get on my knees.. God understands..lol
 
M

mrh35

Member
#16
May 22, 2014
94
1
8
#16
p_rehbein said:
So, you are saying that we today can not use musical instruments to praise God?

Hmm
Click to expand...
I think God just wants us to pray wether we use instruments voice in silence on our knees face down naked he just wants us to pray I was wandering what peoples views were on these.
 
crossnote

crossnote

Senior Member
#17
Nov 24, 2012
30,709
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#17
mrh35 said:
Hi all I guess this is a question asked many times.....
But why do some churches have us pray on our knees and others just sat in the chair bowing down?
Is there a protocol to say you should be on your knees I confess I have found it more beneficial a better feeling on my knees but only at home as no one goes on there knees at my church.
Click to expand...
Some of your older liturgical churches have padded 'kneelers that fold out from the pew in front. They do beat hitting the hard floor without padding. :)
 
M

mrh35

Member
#18
May 22, 2014
94
1
8
#18
Some of the churches here having praying mats that are padded.they also get on there knees for there wedding vows.
 
M

mrh35

Member
#19
May 22, 2014
94
1
8
#19
Joshua 5:14
“Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”
 
p_rehbein

p_rehbein

Senior Member
#20
Sep 4, 2013
30,303
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#20
mrh35 said:
I think God just wants us to pray wether we use instruments voice in silence on our knees face down naked he just wants us to pray I was wandering what peoples views were on these.
Click to expand...
Comment was not directed at you, but, hey........ :)
 
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