Praying on your knees

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Scrobulous

Active member
Sep 17, 2018
290
73
28
#1
This is a serious question. Should an able bodied person pray kneeling down? Jesus and Paul certainly knelt to pray, does this mean we should? I find it much easier to pray while walking up and down. Is this disrespectful?
Views from the forum most welcome.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
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#2
It is a matter of the heart.....me personally....I pray just about anytime and any place, but will also say that on occasion I get on my knees with my face to the ground and pray while facing east.............
 
Feb 28, 2016
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#3
for us, it's all about the 'emotions' that we are feeling about what we're so thankful for -
on the other hand, often Jesus will just let you know when to show Him that special
respect and honour, without question and wherever it might take place...
 

Pemican

Senior Member
Sep 27, 2014
959
246
43
#4
The protocol of prayer is to pray while filled with the Holy Spirit, to the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ. Humility and gratitude matter but posture is irrelevant. It's not your body that is praying, it is your spirit.
 

CherieR

Senior Member
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,429
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#5
This is a serious question. Should an able bodied person pray kneeling down? Jesus and Paul certainly knelt to pray, does this mean we should? I find it much easier to pray while walking up and down. Is this disrespectful?
Views from the forum most welcome.
I think it is ok to pray in about any position. Standing, kneeling, walking, sitting, lying down, kneeling with face to the ground, head bowed... etc. If it is painful to kneel, I don't believe God would require that of the person.
 

CherieR

Senior Member
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,429
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#6
The protocol of prayer is to pray while filled with the Holy Spirit, to the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ. Humility and gratitude matter but posture is irrelevant. It's not your body that is praying, it is your spirit.
I find that posture of prayer can feel humbling. It may give a feeling of who is in control, and that it is all about the Lord not self. If someone tries to pray in a certain posture but feels a lot of pain or has physical difficulty with it, I think they should not pray in that posture but in a different way that is comfortable for them.
 

Subhumanoidal

Well-known member
Sep 17, 2018
4,060
3,173
113
#7
This is a serious question. Should an able bodied person pray kneeling down? Jesus and Paul certainly knelt to pray, does this mean we should? I find it much easier to pray while walking up and down. Is this disrespectful?
Views from the forum most welcome.
I'd not say it's a requirement, but it's something to consider doing from time to time.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,429
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#8
People may call upon God in prayer anywhere when need be.
 

Locutus

Senior Member
Feb 10, 2017
5,928
685
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#10
What if you have bad knees?
 
M

Miri

Guest
#11
There are times when the feelings of heart are so intense, that
praying on your knees or laying flat out, seem the appropriate response.
It’s not mandatory though.

Not sure why but I find praying in the shower helpful! It’s a quite moment with just
me and God.
 
P

pottersclay

Guest
#12
There are times that I pray to the father as a son, then there are times I pray to my God as his creation.

As a son I pray for my family and friends, lifting up those in need , my needs, and asking for guidance for the day and a fresh filling of the holy spirit. Usually for daily needs.

When I was diagnosed with cancer I was given a prayer shawl Which I use when I address God.
Those prayers are issues of the heart, confession of my heart. Personal, private things. Issues of the church.
Not that any stance or position is greater nor is the shawl more excepted but it helps me focus.

In scripture Jesus prayed to the father often.....but once he found himself upon the cross with the full weight of it's cruel punishment he cried...my God...my God....again I'm not saying one is better than another but to me personally I see a difference.
 

CherieR

Senior Member
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,429
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#13
What if you have bad knees?
Then it may be advisable to pray in a different position that would feel better. It may depend though. Some people may have affected knees but still occasionally pray on their knees. If unsure if it would be ok to pray on your knees due to affected knees, then ask a doctor.
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
7,582
3,616
113
#14
This is a serious question. Should an able bodied person pray kneeling down? Jesus and Paul certainly knelt to pray, does this mean we should? I find it much easier to pray while walking up and down. Is this disrespectful?
Views from the forum most welcome.
God knows the heart of everyone who prays... Outward signs of being humble are not worth a thing if one is not humble within.. Kneeling proves nothing to God who can see deep within.. We can pray in any position in any place..
 

JohnRH

Junior Member
Mar 5, 2018
676
324
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#16
This is a serious question. Should an able bodied person pray kneeling down? Jesus and Paul certainly knelt to pray, does this mean we should? I find it much easier to pray while walking up and down. Is this disrespectful?
Views from the forum most welcome.
As far as respect or reverence goes, I think any position that doesn't interfere with "... be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long (Prov. 23:17)" is good.
I typically pray in whatever position I happen to be in; standing, sitting, walking, lying down, etc.
If there's something serious going on or if I'm praying about something real intensely, I usually kneel down to a chair.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#17
This is a serious question. Should an able bodied person pray kneeling down? Jesus and Paul certainly knelt to pray, does this mean we should? I find it much easier to pray while walking up and down. Is this disrespectful?
Views from the forum most welcome.
Am not sure its disrespectful but its often easier to be still and know God in one place than walking around and pacing up and down. Not for you as such but for God to talk with you. Less distraction.

I think if you do try praying this way you will benefit. Its focus and concentration.

Its like gardening. A lot of people think its easier and quicker to garden standing up with a long tool instead of kneeling down on their hands and knees getting to ground level. But they are missing out on really connecting with the ground under their feet. I had this former boss who seeemd very annoyed that I would be kneeling down or squatting gardening. He would always be in a rush and say I had to keep moving. He didnt even like me using my hand tools I had to use a long hoe and look busy scuffing the dirt.
Well all I knew is if I did it that way I would miss out on the real gardening and the finer details.
 

CherieR

Senior Member
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,429
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#18
Or bad hips, or a bad back like me? I'm far too physically decrepit to kneel down on my knees. I may get down, but no guarantee I'll get back up.. lol
You can always bow your head and close your eyes instead. But please don't pray kneeling down if you might not be able get back up. 🙂
 

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
Feb 21, 2014
70,920
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#19
You can always bow your head and close your eyes instead. But please don't pray kneeling down if you might not be able get back up. 🙂
Seriously, it would be impossible. I'd literally have to crawl to the nearest solid object and pull myself up..