posture in prayer

[robertmidwest]

I’ve noticed in my prayer life lately that posture in prayer is very important. If say my prayers lying in bed or sitting they do not seem nearly as effective. If I pray kneeling or with my arms uplifted my prayers appear to have calming effect on me. It seems crazy to me. I know that when we are speaking to God it is important to be reverent, but does God really care about the orientation of our body that much?

 

[PhilotheaZ]

Yes, posture in prayer can be important. Just ask Moses!

At Rephidim, Amalek came and waged war against Israel. Moses, therefore, said to Joshua, “Pick out certain men, and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle. I will be standing on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses told him: he engaged Amalek in battle after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur. As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight. Moses’ hands, however, grew tired; so they put a rock in place for him to sit on. Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset. And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. (Exodus 17:8-13)

I think sometimes the extra effort involved in kneeling touches God’s heart. Of course, if you are physically unable to do so, whatever posture works for you is fine.

 

[DJgang]

I definitely think you are on to something!

Personally, I’ve been trying to get in the habit of kneeling and not praying while in the bed…because I fall asleep so easily…however, I KNOW my GA is taking care of the rest of my prayers…

Also, I’ve been thinking about head covering while in personal prayer. I cover at Mass, but I have been considering this as well.

God bless!

Dana

 

[MarieVeronica]

I think our late Holy Father John Paul II… said it well…

“Pope John Paul II indicates that people sometimes say they don’t know how to pray. “How to pray? This is a simple matter. I would say: Pray any way you like, so long as you do pray.” You can pray the way your mother taught you; you can use a prayer book. Sometimes it takes courage to pray; but it is possible to pray, and necessary to pray. Whether from memory or a book or just in thought, it is all the same. See, John Paul II, The Way of Prayer, Crossroad Publishing Co. (1995)”.

I recall, too… that there were many saints who were bedridden. Should we suppose that their prayers were less “heard” because of this?

Consider the times when you are extremely fatigued… wouldn’t concern about posture be a temptation to “put off” prayer? Would it not be better to pray, sitting… than not to pray at all?

Personally, I doubt that our Loving Father is so concerned with our prayer posture (so long as it is respectful, of course) as He probably is with the prayer itself, and sincerity of the heart.

Just my :twocents:

P.S. I recently saw “Into Great Silence” on EWTN. And the Monks were filmed in prayer… many times, sitting. Remember too, that the Mass is the highest form of prayer. Don’t we participate in much of the Mass sitting down?

 

[AveSantaMaria]

*Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art Thou among women and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. *

Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse. Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse. Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse.

If we look at how the Sacred Heart of Jesus prayed in the First Sorrowful Mystery: The Agony in the Garden, we see, , "He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”(Luke 21:41-42)

St. Louis Mary de Montfort wrote, The Secret of the Rosary, which explains the origin and name, prayers, mysteries, marvelous effects, proper dispositions, ways to combat distractions and pray the Rosary effectively, and Confraternities (so you can have the benefit of other people’s Rosaries as well) of the Most Holy Rosary. Someone once wrote of this book, “Possibly the finest book ever written about the Rosary; appeals to all ages. Shows the great spiritual power of the Rosary, which is appreciated by few.” St. Louis Mary de Montfort also wrote True Devotion to Mary, which is a sure and perfect way from the Immaculate Heart of Mary to the Sacred Heart of Jesus followed by Pope John Paul II, St. Therese of Liseux, and St. Maximilian Maria.

He writes of how to say the most Holy Rosary in The Secret of the Rosary: *Forty-Seventh Rose, *

Excerpt from this chapter →

1. Thirdly, we must pray with humility, like the publican; he was kneeling on the ground–on both knees–not on one knee as proud and worldly people do, or with one knee on the bench in front of him. He was at the back of the Church and not in the sanctuary as the Pharisee was; his eyes were cast down, as he dared not look up to heaven; he did not hold his head up proudly and look about him like the Pharisee. He beat his breast, confessing his sins and asking forgiveness: “Be merciful to me a sinner”** (Luke 18:13) **and he was not in the least like the Pharisee who boasted of his good works and who despised others in his prayers. Do not imitate the pride of the Pharisee whose prayer only hardened his heart and increased his guilt; imitate rather the humility of the Publican whose prayer obtained for him the remission of his sins.

Here are free links to the works I have referenced and a few others:

Devoting oneself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary:
True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin link: montfort.org.uk/Writings/TrueDev.html
**Secret of the Rosary link: ** montfort.org.uk/Writings/Rosary.html
Preparation for 33 day consecration to the Blessed Virgin link:saintlouisdemontfort.com/consecration.cfm
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus link:en.wikisource.org/wiki/Devotion_to_the_Sacred_Heart_of_Jesus#FIRST_POINT._.E2.80.94_The_ardent_desire_Jesus_Christ_feels_to_be_with_us.

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary be with us and guide us!! May the Holy Spirit through the Immaculate Heart of Mary grace us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit that she is pleased to bestow on us!! Jesus, I trust in you!! Jesus, I trust in you!!

Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse. Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse. Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse.

*Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art Thou among women and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. *

 

[MarieVeronica]

I’m truly not suggesting that one should NEVER pray in a kneeling or prostrate position.

I’m only saying, that for many people… those positions are sometimes not possible. There are people who suffer greatly from disabilities and fatigue; and of course, for the elderly… those positions are not possible. Many, many prayers go up to God… from wheelchairs or hospital beds. Our Heavenly Father certainly hears those prayers. They are not “less heard” because of the posture of the one praying.

If we believe that our prayers are “less heard” because of our posture… it could truly become discouraging. I know it would for me. There are some who would give up on prayer, altogether.

I’m not disabled, in the true sense of the word. But I do often suffer from extreme fatigue and migraine headaches. I would become so discouraged… if I truly believed that Our Good Lord would NOT hear the prayers I say, from my chair. My trust in His Mercy and Goodness, far exceeds my own trite, little worries. I believe that He knows the true intentions of my heart; and that He extends His loving concern… for my difficulties.

St. Therese of Lisieux recounts in her autobiography… “The Story of a Soul”… how she would often fall asleep during night Adoration in the convent chapel. She reasoned, however… that Our Heavenly Father loves us just as much… asleep… as He does, when we’re awake.

I believe that He also… hears our prayers, from whatever posture we are able to offer… at that particular moment. I don’t believe that this is in any way… contrary to the teachings of the Church.

The important thing… (as John Paul II said) is that we DO pray.

 

[sbriton]

My thought is if I want to stop and take some time out of my day to pray, then I do so on my knees, usually in front of a Crucifix or my statues of Mary, Joseph and Jesus. This is particularly true for the Rosary. But, I find myself praying all the time; while mowing the lawn, driving, shopping, fixing my boat (mostly asking forgiveness for my aggravated cuss words!), and while taking a shower, among other activities.

So, that’s how I treat it. As an act of devotion and humility I’ll pray “formally” on my knees. But that doesn’t mean to not pray while doing other active things. Sort of like, if I want to have a serious talk with my Dad we’ll sit down face-to-face and talk. But we’ll chit chat constantly while doing things together.

Simon

 

[Andruschak]

I’ve noticed in my prayer life lately that posture in prayer is very important. If say my prayers lying in bed or sitting they do not seem nearly as effective. If I pray kneeling or with my arms uplifted my prayers appear to have calming effect on me. It seems crazy to me. I know that when we are speaking to God it is important to be reverent, but does God really care about the orientation of our body that much?

I hope not. As a 1221 Penitent, I am supposed to recite the LOTH on a daily Basis. Well, at home, I do it sitting at the computer. When I do so, Fluffy climbs into my lap for petting and adoration. She purrs and purrs and purrs.

Now I could do the LOTH standing up, sitting down, and kneeling before the computer monitor. But is God going to be noting my posture (or lack of it), or the happy cat purring away on my lap as I pray.

(Fluffy probably thinks I am praying to HER, but that’s another story. )

 

[survive]

I hope not. As a 1221 Penitent, I am supposed to recite the LOTH on a daily Basis. Well, at home, I do it sitting at the computer. When I do so, Fluffy climbs into my lap for petting and adoration. She purrs and purrs and purrs.

Now I could do the LOTH standing up, sitting down, and kneeling before the computer monitor. But is God going to be noting my posture (or lack of it), or the happy cat purring away on my lap as I pray.

(Fluffy probably thinks I am praying to HER, but that’s another story. )

I think mental attitude (intention, need, sincerity, faith etc.) matters, and physical attitude sometimes reflects or even influences that, and sometimes not.
If I know cats – which I do by now – Fluffy thinks you’re offering her comfort, and she purrs to tell you not to stop.

 

[Andruschak]

I think mental attitude (intention, need, sincerity, faith etc.) matters, and physical attitude sometimes reflects or even influences that, and sometimes not.
If I know cats – which I do by now – Fluffy thinks you’re offering her comfort, and she purrs to tell you not to stop.

By the way, the rubrics for the Divine Office mention places where it is optional to stand, and to sit, but never to kneel. Of course you can always kneel in private recitation of the Office, although I rarely do. (Mustn’t upset Fluffy )

 

[Highwayhound]

I’ve noticed in my prayer life lately that posture in prayer is very important. If say my prayers lying in bed or sitting they do not seem nearly as effective. If I pray kneeling or with my arms uplifted my prayers appear to have calming effect on me. It seems crazy to me. I know that when we are speaking to God it is important to be reverent, but does God really care about the orientation of our body that much?

I would suggest that God would care more about the orientation of our souls during prayer than our bodies. However, if kneeling makes your soul more focused towards God than it is a good thing. Kneeling while praying the rosary does good for my soul.

God bless