Bowing Head During Prayers When Saying Jesus' Name

[bmaj]

I know we must (and should!) bow our heads in reverence while reciting prayers aloud when we say Jesus’ name. My question is, should we also bow our heads when saying His name during our silent prayers? It may sound like a ridiculous question, but I like to say prayers as I fall asleep in bed, and if I keep bowing my head whenever I pray the word “Jesus” to myself silently, it tends to keep me awake when I really need to get to sleep…
Thanks.

 

[ConstantineTG]

I know we must (and should!) bow our heads in reverence while reciting prayers aloud when we say Jesus’ name. My question is, should we also bow our heads when saying His name during our silent prayers? It may sound like a ridiculous question, but I like to say prayers as I fall asleep in bed, and if I keep bowing my head whenever I pray the word “Jesus” to myself silently, it tends to keep me awake when I really need to get to sleep…
Thanks.

I say, why not? In the East we make a sign of the cross everytime the Name or Names of God is mentioned. The form of reverence in the West is bowing the head, so certainly you can do that everytime the Names of God is mentioned in prayer.

 

[lizaanne]

I do. Why not?

~Liza

 

[dee_burk]

Wow, i am still in the conversion status so i hope this wont sound stupid/disrespectful, but when i say my prayers at home i have a kneeling pillow in front of a side window and always look up towards Heaven. At night the moon comes in that window so i love to pray at night when the moon is out. In the sanctuary i look at the crucifix of Jesus, i feel as though i am praying directly to him when i do that and find it very emotional and moving.
So i should be bowing my head. i hope i havent offended anyone at Mass…

 

[Reuben_J]

I know we must (and should!) bow our heads in reverence while reciting prayers aloud when we say Jesus’ name. My question is, should we also bow our heads when saying His name during our silent prayers? It may sound like a ridiculous question, but I like to say prayers as I fall asleep in bed, and if I keep bowing my head whenever I pray the word “Jesus” to myself silently, it tends to keep me awake when I really need to get to sleep…
Thanks.

Interesting post. Have not thought of it in a particular way but of course I don’t think there is such restriction with your body language. I don’t as a general practice. In the mass it is during the Profession of Faith (… and he became man) which I have to get used to in term of coordination of body movement.

I guess the best reverence is in our heart so if the bowing is not convenient to you (in the situation), I think you may not do it.

 

[Reuben_J]

Wow, i am still in the conversion status so i hope this wont sound stupid/disrespectful, but when i say my prayers at home i have a kneeling pillow in front of a side window and always look up towards Heaven. At night the moon comes in that window so i love to pray at night when the moon is out. In the sanctuary i look at the crucifix of Jesus, i feel as though i am praying directly to him when i do that and find it very emotional and moving.
So i should be bowing my head. i hope i havent offended anyone at Mass…

You did right. Should be no problem with that. There is not fixed rule to it. Looking up to heaven is a great thing to do. Well, that is where the Lord is.

Bowing is a gesture of reverence (rightly) and also of worship. However, there are many types of prayers when Jesus’ name is invoked. While body language may conform with the intention of our prayers, there are practical considerations that necessitate mitigation.

 

[Immacolata]

I say, why not? In the East we make a sign of the cross everytime the Name or Names of God is mentioned. The form of reverence in the West is bowing the head, so certainly you can do that everytime the Names of God is mentioned in prayer.

Strange, I’ve been finding myself recently making the Sign of the Cross (tracing a cross on my forehead to be exact) when I mention God or Jesus’ Name in my prayers - I didn’t know this was a tradition in the East (I’m Roman Catholic).

As for the OP’s question, why not? If you find bowing your head distracting, perhaps you could do the Sign of the Cross?

 

[1_with_God]

It is the prayer that is important, I bow completely at every" Glory be…" no matter where I am. Whatever works for you I am sure is pleasing to our Lord, he knows your intentions.

 

[Rich_C]

I know we must (and should!) bow our heads in reverence while reciting prayers aloud when we say Jesus’ name. My question is, should we also bow our heads when saying His name during our silent prayers? It may sound like a ridiculous question, but I like to say prayers as I fall asleep in bed, and if I keep bowing my head whenever I pray the word “Jesus” to myself silently, it tends to keep me awake when I really need to get to sleep…
Thanks.

When I pray the Office silently on the train, I make an effort to do this, but when I pray the Rosary while driving it is not really practical to bow my head during each Ave. Outside of Mass, I think we have to just do our best and let God know we wish we could do better. Love covers a multitude of [shortcomings].

 

[Like]

LOL. I’m bowing my head as reading this. I was taught this (to bow my head at word of Jesus) at an early age. It is not a requirement, but has stuck with me for nearly 70 years.

 

[thistle]

I know** we must** (and should!) bow our heads in reverence while reciting prayers aloud when we say Jesus’ name. My question is, should we also bow our heads when saying His name during our silent prayers? It may sound like a ridiculous question, but I like to say prayers as I fall asleep in bed, and if I keep bowing my head whenever I pray the word “Jesus” to myself silently, it tends to keep me awake when I really need to get to sleep…
Thanks.

That is not correct. It is not mandatory.

 

[Faithdancer]

It is the prayer that is important, I bow completely at every" Glory be…" no matter where I am. Whatever works for you I am sure is pleasing to our Lord, he knows your intentions.

Interesting. I try to pray the Rosary daily and I’m in the habit of making the sign of the cross with the Glory be…Just have to be careful praying the Rosary while driving…

 

[Slaney]

I know we must (and should!) bow our heads in reverence while reciting prayers aloud when we say Jesus’ name. My question is, should we also bow our heads when saying His name during our silent prayers? It may sound like a ridiculous question, but I like to say prayers as I fall asleep in bed, and if I keep bowing my head whenever I pray the word “Jesus” to myself silently, it tends to keep me awake when I really need to get to sleep…
Thanks.

Scrupulosity gone riot here me thinks…get down on your knees and thank God your still on your feet… so when you pray the word Jesus it doesn’t keep you awake, but your head flapping like a sail does ? please…

 

[bmaj]

That is not correct. It is not mandatory.

Are you sure it’s not mandatory? I always thought it must be because I was taught it from the earliest age I can remember. Thanks very much for the info! I truly appreciate it. God bless you for taking the time to respond - and may He bless all of the other caring and understanding posters as well who have posted their very helpful experiences! We all come from such diverse backgrounds and yet all share the beautiful Catholic faith. God is definitely awesome - and so is CAF.

 

[centurionguard]

Are you sure it’s not mandatory? I always thought it must be because I was taught it from the earliest age I can remember. Thanks very much for the info! I truly appreciate it. God bless you for taking the time to respond - and may He bless all of the other caring and understanding posters as well who have posted their very helpful experiences! We all come from such diverse backgrounds and yet all share the beautiful Catholic faith. God is definitely awesome - and so is CAF.

I don’t believe its mandatory as it is more having to do within ourselves interiorly and spiritually. True Piety comes from within as the human heart that moves our prayer in spontaneity. The gesture itself is both an act of Faith as is an act of Humility in having respect in honoring Jesus’s name our beloved Lord, Master, King and God.

If such a gesture were mandatory it may easily become a gesture for itself having little meaning. What’s more important is what is reflected from inside the heart first to an outward sign always bearing humility, respect, and love for God.

Fraternally In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[jesuspsr]

Wow, i am still in the conversion status so i hope this wont sound stupid/disrespectful, but when i say my prayers at home i have a kneeling pillow in front of a side window and always look up towards Heaven. At night the moon comes in that window so i love to pray at night when the moon is out. In the sanctuary i look at the crucifix of Jesus, i feel as though i am praying directly to him when i do that and find it very emotional and moving.
So i should be bowing my head. i hope i havent offended anyone at Mass…

I do the same, but at the end when I say Amen is when I bow. Many times I raise my arms out towards the heavens while I’m praying and meditating.
I’m sure your ok.

God bless

jesus g

 

[BernadetteM]

Anglican Use Catholics bow their heads at the name of Jesus and bow at the Glory Be.
Many also give a slight bow when the priest walks by in the processional and the recessional. They are also kneeling during much of the Mass and when receiving Holy Communion.

In some churches they genuflect when the crucifix passes by and in others they bow their heads. They also genuflect during the Creed at the Incarnation, Angelus and Last Gospel.

Sometimes when saying the rosary I bow my head at the name of Jesus, it just seems to be a natural reflex.

AU congregations do much bowing, genuflecting and crossing themselves These, I believe, are a result of traditions that actually come from the Catholic Church.

I would say that Anglicans (not Anglican Use Catholics, nor Anglo Catholics) do not in general follow these traditions.

Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Bernadette

 

[Genesis315]

In the ordinary form of the Mass, it is required:

From the G.I.R.M.:

1. A bow signifies reverence and honor shown to the persons themselves or to the signs that represent them. There are two kinds of bows: a bow of the head and a bow of the body.

a. A bow of the head is made when the three Divine Persons are named together and at the names of Jesus, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of the Saint in whose honor Mass is being celebrated.

 

[lizaanne]

Wow, i am still in the conversion status so i hope this wont sound stupid/disrespectful, but when i say my prayers at home i have a kneeling pillow in front of a side window and always look up towards Heaven. At night the moon comes in that window so i love to pray at night when the moon is out. In the sanctuary i look at the crucifix of Jesus, i feel as though i am praying directly to him when i do that and find it very emotional and moving.
So i should be bowing my head. i hope i havent offended anyone at Mass…

When you are kneeling, you are already in a posture of reverence, so there is no need to also bow your head.

Your prayer spot sounds lovely!! God bless you in your conversion!

~Liza

 

[mommamaree]

In the ordinary form of the Mass, it is required:

From the G.I.R.M.:

1. A bow signifies reverence and honor shown to the persons themselves or to the signs that represent them. There are two kinds of bows: a bow of the head and a bow of the body.

a. A bow of the head is made when the three Divine Persons are named together and at the names of Jesus, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of the Saint in whose honor Mass is being celebrated.

But this requirement is for in the mass, not for silent interior prayers. The OP was specifically asking about prayers while s/he was laying in bed.
My understanding is that in mass or public prayer (like the rosary or stations of the cross in church) we ought to bow our heads, but that in silent prayer it is not required.