Final Prayer Postues

December, 2015 Volume 1 Issue 6

Prayer Postures and Gestures

Prayer can be expressed anywhere, at any time, in any circumstance. A simple, heartfelt cry to God needs no special gesture or posture, yet bodily expressions of reverence can often enhance the experience of prayer. Our Christian heritage is rich with gestures of prayer and praise, including standing, kneeling, bowing, raising hands, and making the sign of the cross before and/or after prayer. Today, current customs differ in local churches; and even within a parish, individuals are free to assume the posture that seems most appropriate. Standing Standing is the most ancient prayer position for worship. For probably the first thousand years of the Church, Christians stood strong and tall to indicate their freedom in Christ as opposed to kneeling, which signified slavery in the Gentile world or adoration of certain gods in the pagan world. Standing in the presence of God expresses respect and consideration. By standing, we remind ourselves that in Christ and with Christ we have been raised up. We are no longer slaves of fear, but children of God. Kneeling Kneeling in prayer can communicate repentance, humility, and adoration. The Apostle Paul knelt in prayer in Acts 20:36 and 21:5. Often this posture seems most appropriate during prayers of petition and confession; it reinforces an attitude of openness and receiving. Many churches have traditionally confessed and received the Eucharist while kneeling, though the older practice of standing during the reading of the gospel has been maintained. Raising the Hands Scripture often portrays God’s dwelling place to be in heaven, above this earth. Such descriptions reinforce God’s sovereignty and holiness, qualities we recognize when we lift up our eyes and hands in prayer. Jesus also prayed this way, looking up to heaven (Matthew 14:19). From the earliest times, God’s people have prayed with raised arms or hands outstretched. This raising of hands in prayer is known as the orans posture (from the Latin word for praying). Moses prayed thus before the Lord (Exodus 9:29), as did Solomon (1 Kings 8:22), and many others (Ezra 9:5; Psalm 143:6).

December, 2015 Volume 1 Issue 6

Prayer with open, outstretched hands visibly portrays the worshiper’s readiness to receive. It also symbolizes an attitude of openness and honesty; nothing is hidden from God. Finally, one who prays with open hands prays with empty hands. We have no “bargaining chips” with God when we come in prayer; we have nothing to offer and everything to receive from the One who gives all. Sign of the Cross Throughout the centuries, Christians have used various forms of the sign of the cross as a gesture of blessing. In the 1st and 2nd centuries, the sign was made by tracing the cross on the forehead with one finger. By the 4th century this gesture had been introduced into the baptismal liturgy.

Another early form of the sign of the cross involved tracing a small cross on the forehead, mouth, and chest. The most common form was introduced in the Middle Ages—touching first the forehead, then the chest, the left shoulder and the right shoulder, usually as the person expresses faith in the Trinity by saying, “In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.”