My daughter wanted me to ask: If Hell is down, and Heaven is up....then why do we bow our heads down towards the Devil to pray? I told her that "bowing" our heads, is a good thing, like bowing down and praising God. What do you think about this?
2007-11-19 01:15:17 · 21 answers · asked by sillybreaze 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Haha. I have not taught up and down, Thats just what kids think. :)
2007-11-19 01:23:46 · update #1
SillyBreaze,
We are not told to "BOW our Heads", it is done as a sign of Reverence to our FATHER and was done in the past in Europe for KINGS. Our FATHER & GOD is present everywhere at this time. We only think of heaven as being "up" because of the Heavens being mentioned during creation and it being the skies and heavenly planets. Your explanation is simple one but very good for a young person (according to her age). She is asking great questions. NEVER be afraid to tell her when you are not sure and never be afraid to talk with her about anything. Children are Precious! Have a wonderful week.
Thank YOU,
Eds
.
2007-11-19 01:26:12 · answer #1 · answered by Eds 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Did you also mention that bowing your head down is a culture thing dealing with respect?
Point out how when many oriental type people greet each other and how the give a slight bow. There is that principle in action. For us that pray to God, we also are doing the same thing. It is a sign of respect. We can also light our hands in the air reaching out to Him, or even tilting our heads up towards the sky. All in all depending on how old she is and what she can understand, I am sure you are doing fine. By bringing her up in the kowlegde of The Lord is the first step. Way to go, MOM!
God Bless you and yours in the Fullness of His Truth.
2007-11-19 01:46:56 · answer #2 · answered by xgarmstrong 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To bow shows reverence to God. He is after all our Creator. Our soon coming King. No one says that Hell is down and Heaven is up. we make these assumptions because of the elements that the earth is filled with heat, and the Christ ascended into the heavens. I think that only God knows where Hell is. It will be cast in the lake of fire anyway, so who knows it might be in the center of the earth for now. The devil is in the world right now, walking to and fro seeking who he may, devour. So tell your little girl that she should bow her head in awe and reverence to a Holy God.
2007-11-19 01:35:59 · answer #3 · answered by thornfieldaffens 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter how you pray, stand up, open your eyes, bow down, what ever. Its your heart that matters. If you are in a church service and the pastor asks everyone to bow their heads and close their eyes, out of respect for the pastor, you should do it.
2007-11-19 02:35:27 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you bow your head, you show reverence, so good points there. Also, tell your daughter than when you close your eyes, they automatically move up, even though you can't feel it. So we're always looking to God when we pray.
2007-11-19 01:38:52 · answer #5 · answered by Evadne Soleil 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I honestly think she has a good point. However, when you bow your head to pray, you typically close your eyes...so you're not looking at the devil anyway.
Also, if we're looking toward the Devil while praying to God, it's like resisting Satan's temptations, right? Looking him right in the face (so to speak) and continuing to speak to God. (I doubt that's WHY it's done, but it fits with Christian belief).
Wow, that sounds pretty good, coming from the mouth of someone who believes in God but doesn't hold with most Christian beliefs LOL>
2007-11-19 01:20:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Congratulations. Your daughter is indeed an original thinker and logic is correct to some extent.
According to Bhagwat Geeta, a religious scripture in India, every living entity has a part of God in it which is known as soul or Atman. Every living entity is the fragmental part and parcel of the Supreme Lord---eternally.When we bend our head downwards, we are addressing our prayer to that part of God which is inside us.No thoughts of devil or satan comes to any one while praying Him.Our prayer reaches to the God to whom it is addressed.
2007-11-19 02:05:51 · answer #7 · answered by yogeshwargarg 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter how you pray aslong as you pray to Jesus, I bow down and pray to Jesus. The devil also is not in Hell yet so what does that matter?
2007-11-19 01:39:03 · answer #8 · answered by Gizmo3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To God belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and to God shall all affairs be returned for decision.
God is He Who created the heavens and the earth and caused water to come down from the clouds, and brought forth therewith fruits for your sustenance, and He has subjected to you the ships that they may sail through the sea by His command, and the rivers too has He subjected to you.
2007-11-19 01:49:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some bow their heads in respect. It has nothing to do with locations of heaven and hell.
2007-11-19 01:20:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋