R
romano
Guest
Which direction should we face when at prayer?
Then you should read the Benedictine Father Gabriel Bunge, ‘EARTHEN VESSELS - THE PRACTICE OF PERSONAL PRAYER ACCORDING TO PATRISTIC TRADITION’. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2002. ISBN 0-89870-837-0.God is everywhere and the Church is the new jerusalem. I think it’s a bit of an insult to God’s omnipotency to suggest that facing one way we have more effective prayers.
I am with you. This thread is wrong, because Muslims only go by direction not Christians.God is everywhere and the Church is the new jerusalem. I think it’s a bit of an insult to God’s omnipotency to suggest that facing one way we have more effective prayers.
Hi Dan:Romano,
Thank you for your words of wisdom. It is always helpful to read someone who quotes those in authority rather than just giving personal opinion. As you probably know many of the Muslim practices are taken from ancient Christian practice, e.g, full prostrations, facing toward a point for prayer, fasting, etc.
The Church has usually faced East to pray and the priests led us in that practice until very recently.
Dan L
Please see my Post # 9 above. Do you really suppose the early Christians didn’t know that God is everywhere? Do you suppose I don’t know? There is more involved in this matter than the fact that God is everywhere. The direction in which one faces when at prayer has in part, I think, to do with showing Respect.I also think there is no specific way to face,as god is everywhere!
Zooey said:Away from ourselves. Toward God, first, & secondly, others.
Yes, thank you. God may be everywhere (as so many on this thread keep insisting) but:I am Byzantine Catholic, and we are taught to pray to the East, towards Jerusalem, and the rising Sun.