Worship

[TCassidy]

Prayer rug does NOT equal "Magic carpet."

 

[rsr]

I would think as Baptists we could embrace a faith that recognizes the importance of physicality and spirituality in prayer.

Kneeling and prostration are natural impulses in the face of powers that are greater than we are., i.e. the supreme God of the universe. We are physical creatures, and this should be a natural reaction unless we consider ourselves "too good" or "too spiritual" to obey nature.

Certainly it becomes more difficult to kneel as we become older. The joints creak, the muscles refuse to respond. But if you can run a 5K or toss your grandchildren, I think you can bow before the Almighty God.

That said, I will admit that the two most intense prayer experiences in my life came as I was driving a pickup and praying for a fellow board member, and lying in a very uncomfortable "recliner" when my wife was recovering from brain surgery. The first, so far as I can tell, came out very well. The second, alas, God did not see fit to grant my petitions and I am still dealing with that.

My advice, unsolicited as it is: Kneel when you can, humble yourself spiritually and physically as you can. God knows what we can and can't do, but he expects us to do what we can.

 

[The Biblicist]

True Biblical worship is really misunderstood and perverted by many. True Biblical worship consists of two essentials "spirit" and "truth" (Jn. 4:21). If either are missing so is true worship. There is sincere but false worship and then there is dead orthodox worship.

The various Hebrew and Greek terms usually are descriptive of a bodily expression (prostrate, bowing, etc.). Our bodies are the vehicle of expressions for our souls. It is not that a type of physical posture is essential for true worship but true worship will include the whole man and it is the function of the body to express the state of the soul.

In Eccles. 9:5 when the body is laid under the sod it ceases to give all the varities of soul expression "under the sun." Although a person can be worshipping in any bodily position, characteristically true worship will find expression in the body and it will be in a bodily position that expresses submission and reverence to God.

 

[agedman]

True Biblical worship is really misunderstood and perverted by many. True Biblical worship consists of two essentials "spirit" and "truth" (Jn. 4:21). If either are missing so is true worship. There is sincere but false worship and then there is dead orthodox worship.

The various Hebrew and Greek terms usually are descriptive of a bodily expression (prostrate, bowing, etc.). Our bodies are the vehicle of expressions for our souls. It is not that a type of physical posture is essential for true worship but true worship will include the whole man and it is the function of the body to express the state of the soul.

In Eccles. 9:5 when the body is laid under the sod it ceases to give all the varities of soul expression "under the sun." Although a person can be worshipping in any bodily position, characteristically true worship will find expression in the body and it will be in a bodily position that expresses submission and reverence to God.

So basically, your view is the body posture is important in worship?

 

[tyndale1946]

I've come to one conclusion on posture in worship... If and when I ever decide to prostrate my body before the Lord, then it only goes to say that my prostate will be prostrate... Brother Glen

 

[The Biblicist]

So basically, your view is the body posture is important in worship?

No, I am simply saying that the body normally would give expression to the heart, just as good works would be the normal expression of the new birth or new inward man.