Can we pray sitting down?

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sorrowful1

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The question is very simple but it sometimes concerns me.

As the title/question suggests/asks , I do most of my prayers sitting (down) on the (edge of) bed (legs out, and the body not leaning against anything ) because I’ve had a history of chronic back pain including stiffness of the limbs. Standing while praying seems to be the most “recommended” position as it shows a deep respect to the Divine God. Would my way be acceptable? I am aware that under certain circumstances we can sit down to pray. I’m not too sick or disable to stand up pray ( which I do occasionally) but I just don’t want my limbs and the spine to get exhausted ( I do very long prayers).

Could anyone throw some light on this?
 
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We sit for much of the Mass, the whole thing is a prayer from beginning to end.
 
Our whole life is meant to be a prayer ‘pray without ceasing’ ‘give thanks in all circumstances.’ It’s along the lines of ‘keep watch at all times’ << that can’t mean no sleep.
 
We can pray in any position we want as long as our heart is sincere and reverent. If you have chronic pain, then God would be fine with you taking a position that alleviates pain so you could focus more on your conversation with God and less on your physical discomfort.

When a monk asked St. Samthan what was the best position for prayer, she answered: “Every position - sitting, standing or lying down.”

I myself usually get into a comfortable position to pray. If I were going to converse with my earthly father when he were alive, then we’d both sit in comfortable chairs and chat. Likewise, when I converse with my Father in heaven, I sit in a comfortable chair so we can have a good long talk.

I will kneel at Mass and when otherwise appropriate, such as during Benediction, or for some prayers during Adoration, but kneeling is generally not comfortable for me and it’s not something I can do for a long time without making a significant effort. As for standing, I’ll stand to pray if it’s required for Mass or if I’m waiting in line or taking a walk or something, but like I said, if I were going to have a chat with my earthly father for an hour, we’d sit in chairs. I wouldn’t be standing through that whole conversation.
 
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There are times where it seems the Church has a whole lotta rules. In actuality, it doesn’t. The rules generally have a purpose or two; but often there are exceptions. God doesn’t play “gotcha!”, and neither does the Church.
 
Back in the day (and we won’t go into how long ago that was) my wife or I would sometimes sit through most of Mass because we were holding sleeping toddlers. I don’t think that God minds…
 
I haven’t kneeled at Mass for many years now, due to knee problems. I notice that many elderly in my parish have the same problem.
 
Thank you all for your valuable (name removed by moderator)ut.
God bless you all… 🙏
 
Let not your heart be troubled! Your physical disabilities dictate how you pray. God knows what you are made of and He knows your limitations and pains.

Imagine being a skydiver whose parachute will not open. A lot of prayers have been heard from souls tumbling in mid-air, and we know they were heard.

Due to a fairly destroyed lower back, I can kneel for only so long before ‘daggers’ stab into my left calf. So, I kneel when I can and then sit. Sometimes sitting is also uncomfortable, so I walk.

Sometimes, we must pray through our pain - which is an utter blessing, since we are rather Christ-like in those times.
 
When at mass I fold the kneeler down. I “scootch” forward on the seat so my rump is supported by the seat, with my knees lightly on the kneeler. (Think like those “kneeling chairs” that were popular.)
And the original question, any position is fine. On your head not recommended.
Dominus vobiscum
 
Agnus-Dei said:
When at mass I fold the kneeler down. I “scootch” forward on the seat so my rump is supported by the seat, with my knees lightly on the kneeler. (Think like those “kneeling chairs” that were popular.)
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That is exactly what I do. My knees are not in good shape, and I am very long-waisted — my parish’s pews were apparently installed in the late 1800s (refurbished since then, it’s a historic church), and since I am a big guy anyway, and people of that time were more diminutive, it is like sitting in kiddie seats to me. I also have numbness in my right leg if I stand for prolonged periods of time — it’s got some kind of long Greek name, when I first developed it, I thought my phone had overheated in my pocket!

This makes me a poor cultural fit for traditionalists — those people can kneel, back straight up, seemingly forever.

Whoever came up with the idea of padded pews should be canonized. A parish across town has them, and it is wonderful. Once or twice it’s crossed my mind to switch parishes on account of it.
 
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The only “rules” that might apply would be, I imagine, the General Instruction on the Roman Missal, which would cover the occasion of the Mass. But, outside of Mass, sitting during prayer is, to my knowledge, not covered by any rules.

In the TLM, before Vatican II, the priest and people would sit during the Gloria and Credo (Glory to God and I Believe profession of faith). But, now, people usually stand, probably because it is stated so in the GIRM. In some local parishes there are different understandings, as some people sit or kneel or stand during the Eucharistic prayer, at the same time, during the same Mass.
 
Thank you so much everyone , my mind can be at ease now. God bless !!! 🙏
 
Agnus-Dei said:
When at mass I fold the kneeler down. I “scootch” forward on the seat so my rump is supported by the seat, with my knees lightly on the kneeler. (Think like those “kneeling chairs” that were popular.)
And the original question, any position is fine. On your head not recommended.
Dominus vobiscum
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Lol! Are we separated twins?
 
I used to do it so I didn’t stick out as the only one not kneeling. I stick out plenty as it is. (Non-Catholic visiting the church and trying to be respectful). I still do it most of the time now because it works. I add leaning the elbows/forearms on the pew in front of me. Keep the same position when others receive communion, as I don’t.
“Every knee shall bow” doesn’t mention getting up again does it.
Dominus vobiscum
 
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You can spiritually bond with Saint Peter by praying on your head. Just don’t take it as far as was done with him!
 
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