What does the Bible say about bowing or kneeling in prayer?

"Z. Y. X." We do not know of any Christians who regard kneeling in prayer as "an imperative duty." We should feel called upon to protest against such a notion. The New Testament does not lay down any rule as to bodily attitude, and we must say that when Scripture is silent, no one has any right to legislate. We certainly do like to kneel whenever we can. We consider it a suited attitude to express the reverential and devotional feelings of the heart. We are often pained to see people habitually remaining seated while prayer is being offered, and that, too, in cases where bodily health or want of space could not be pleaded as an excuse.

It seems to us to show great want of reverence and solemnity. It looks lazy and self-indulgent. We find our Lord kneeling in prayer. (Luke 22:41) We find the apostle Paul kneeling with the elders of Ephesus. (Acts 20:36) It is in every way a becoming posture; but when people undertake to speak of it as "an imperative duty," we regard it as a piece of unwarrantable assumption. We have often found a quantity of self wrapped up in these little crotchets about bodily attitude in praying or singing, We never find persons of any spirituality or real breadth of mind occupied about such things. Our own feeling as to all such matters is this, let people have their crotchets if they will, let them kneel, or sit, or stand, as they feel led; but let them not attempt to force their crotchets or their attitudes as "an imperative rule" upon other people. If a man gives us a "thus says the Lord" we shall, by the grace of God, bow to it; but if it be merely a "thus says Mr. So-and-so," we must take it for what it is worth.

In what attitude do we pray? Kneeling seems to be Scriptural and was formerly universal but there is a danger, particularly in a large company, of the brother who prays not being heard. In some places a microphone with a long lead is passed to the brother as he begins, in which case all are able to say "amen." I have been to a prayer meeting where we were all so tightly packed in that we could not even stand. The attitude of heart is more important than our physical position.

Kneeling is always the posture indicated in the New Testament, exampled by the Lord Jesus Himself. The Jewish posture was, apparently, standing. Let us ponder this matter, and act as we believe the Lord would wish us to.

The attitudes in prayer which are recorded are: 'standing,' 1 Sam. 1:26; Mark 11:25; 'kneeling,' Dan. 6:10; Luke 22:41; and 'falling down,' Deut. 9:25; Joshua 7:6.

An act of respect between man and man, very common in the East, as Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land when he bought a burying place for his dead. Gen. 23:7, 12. Also an act of reverence to God, Ps. 95:6; but strictly forbidden to be done before an idol or image, Ex. 20:5; and treated as an act of worship.

Bowing, bowing down. "O come, let us worship and bow down." Ps. 95:6. It was forbidden to be paid to images, Ex. 20:5, but was often done. Num. 25:2. Joseph's brethren bowed down before him. Gen. 42:6.

Kneeling, bowing the knee. To God. Isa. 45:23; Eph. 3:14. To the Lord Jesus every knee shall bow, even those under the earth. Phil. 2:10: it was done in mockery, Mark. 15:19; and in sincerity, Matt. 17:14. To Joseph, Gen. 41:43. 3.

Since God is infinitely great, it is only fitting that we are exhorted to "worship and bow down" (v. 1), — to kneel before our Maker. For if He is Israel's God and Israel the people of His pasture, the character of a sheep is that of submission, which should be true of everyone claiming to believe God (v.7). Yet there is a striking warning immediately given, applicable to the very day this was written, "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion" (v. 8).

This kneeling in prayer is a physical action that indicates a recognition of the supremacy and greatness of the eternal God. Have you ever felt compelled to bow the knee? I do not mean compelled by power, but compelled because you feel it is the right thing to do to bow the knee. It may be a casual attitude to begin with, but the Lord says, 'No. There must be nothing casual in my presence. Bow down in the acknowledgement of my supremacy'. And we have good examples, supremely, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, as we see Him kneeling in the garden of Gethsemane. Bowed down with the weight of the approaching cross and all that that meant, He kneeled and He prayed (Luke 22:41). Paul (Acts 20:36), Solomon (2 Chr.6:13), Ezra (Ezra 9:5) and many others bowed their knees in the presence of God or of Christ.

Another point is that Daniel kneeled when he prayed. Oh, if we have time, kneel. Let us bend our knees in the presence of the supreme majesty of God, and indicate our reverence towards Him. However great the blessings He has given to us, we are still creatures, and failing ones at that. Oh, what a privilege to physically bow our knees, indicating that we recognise the supremacy, the greatness, and the glory of God.

Recently I had the privilege of being in Germany and Holland and what a sight it was to see 900 brothers and sisters bowing their knees when it was time for prayer. It touched my heart. Oh that this reverence might mark us. Here it is individual, but there is no reason it should not be collective when the situation is suitable. C.H.Mackintosh felt that not bowing the knee was an indication of irreverence when there was opportunity to do so, that it was showing a casual attitude in the presence of the great and glorious God, who is infinitely beyond us.[1]

And, having referred to the subject of attitude, we would very lovingly call attention to a matter which, in our judgement, demands a little serious consideration; we allude to the habit of sitting during the holy and solemn exercise of prayer. We are fully aware, of course, that the grand question in prayer is, to have the heart in a right attitude. And further, we know, and would ever bear in mind, that many who attend our prayer-meetings are aged, infirm, and delicate people, who could not possibly kneel for any length of time — perhaps not at all. Then again, it often happens that, even where there is not physical weakness, and where there would be real desire to kneel down, as feeling it to be the proper attitude, yet, from actual want of space, it is impossible to change one's position.

All these things must be taken into account; but, allowing as broad a margin as possible in which to insert these modifying clauses, we must still hold to it that there is a very deplorable lack of reverence in many of our public reunions for prayer. We frequently observe young men, who can neither plead physical weakness nor want of space, sitting through an entire prayer-meeting. This, we confess, is offensive, and we cannot but believe it grieves the Spirit of the Lord. We ought to kneel down when we can; it expresses reverence and prostration. The blessed Master "kneeled down and prayed." (Luke 22:41) His apostle did the same, as we read in Acts 20:36, "When he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all."

And is it not comely and right so to do? Assuredly it is. And can aught be more unseemly than to see a number of people sitting, lolling, lounging, and gaping about while prayer is being offered? We consider it perfectly shocking, and we do here most earnestly beseech all the Lord's people to give this matter their solemn consideration, and to endeavour, in every possible way, both by precept and example, to promote the godly habit of kneeling at our prayer-meetings. No doubt those who take part in the meeting would greatly aid in this matter by short and fervent prayers; but of this, more hereafter.