Why do people kneel during prayer?

Question

If I was speaking to a powerful Diety, who is meant to be in the Heavens, I would shout up to the sky.

Pointing your head and face down to it seems a bit weird. Especially seeing as it was/is thought "You know who" is down there.

Answer 1

its recognizing who is over you showing respect and being humble to the great king ..

Answer 2

People kneel down to pray probably because " they've had a long day " and to tired to stand! ( LMAO)

It's a ritual, just like in the Catholic church where they also worship the Virgin Mother Mary!

For me to praise the Lord My God I'd rather lift up my arms and shout and to pray, I like to pray in my quiet moments where I feel I'm speaking directly to God! But never looking down,
I would kneel sometimes if it was comfortable for me, kneeling has nothing to do with praying.

Hope this answers helps.

Answer 3

When you bow or curtsy before a king or queen or out of respect, you bow before a president; this is the idea.
It is making yourself lower in literal position to the "office" you are approaching. I know respect and honor aren't popular these days, but it remains the obvious appropriate thing to do before our Lord and God.
He doesn't require it, it is a stance from the individual heart of the person praying. Many people begin their prayer in a "bowed" or kneeling position and then lift their head upward and open their eyes and just talk to the Lord.

Answer 4

its to show how humble you are before the diety, your unworthyness, that you are below the diety. Its a sign of submission on behalf of the worshiper, and a sign of power on behalf of the diety that someone would worship at your feet, the lowest part of your body. Think of it as Grovel at your feet... doesnt sound so nice does it? Submission and power, royalty made lower people in their kingdom do it for the same reason, to show their power.

Answer 5

every time i became a Muslim I had back muscle contaminated. So I used a chair. In Islam you're allowed to wish in dissimilar varieties in case you have a disability or disease. you additionally can pray along with your eyelids. I happy I dont would desire to wish 5 circumstances an afternoon anymore, in basic terms yet another perk of being an atheist.

Answer 6

It is a posture of humility. We don't need to shout. Nor is kneeling mandatory. But when you come before the Holy Creator of all things...........there is an overwhelming reverence that overcomes you.

Read about the Pharisee & the tax-gatherer in Luke. That'll help.

Answer 7

It goes back to the ancient ritual of kneeling in the presence of royalty. It is a way to say that they are subjugated to the power of God. Prayer is a way of seeking redress from the "KING" and all the traditions of kneeling, approaching the altar, etc., hearken back to the era of Kingdoms, rather than the egalitarian governments of democracy.

See the conflicts?

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Answer 8

You do not have to pray on you knees, I pray on my bed when I am lying down or I might stand up. What is important is the condition of your heart toward God. Some people do it as a sign of humility, and that is ok too. I just recommend that you pray period.

Answer 9

are you sur God is up and you know who is down?
Kneeling for some shows respect and humility for God.Sometimes i kneel,others i pray as im driving(with my eyes open)I pray when i am standing sometimes,sometiimes in the shower,mostly when i am alone and sometimes in the presense of conflict or observing someone elses conflict with another.

Answer 10

Kneeling and bowing the head is an act of humble submission to one who is superior to you. This is why it's traditionally practiced.

Answer 11

Because their jealous and power-obsessed deity demands that they grovel before it.
You won't see Heathens humiliating themselves in that way. We're on an equal standing point with our Gods. Our Gods want people to be proud and independent, not grovelling minions.