The Acts of Sitting, Kneeling, Bowing, and Standing

By Rev. Rebecca

While in the presence of God, acts of humble reverence are natural. Neither kneeling or bowing are compulsory acts, but they are outward signs of our reverence for God and aid our hearts in reverence. While we are already continually in the presence of God, there are certain times and places when acts of reverence are especially appropriate. Kneeling and bowing represent submission, respect, humility, reverence and obedience. All of these are proper responses to the God of the Universe.

Biblically there is much precedent for such physical acts of worship to God. Moses and the Israelites regularly “bowed down and worshipped” God (Ex. 4:31, 12:27, 34:8 ), so did King David, Daniel (three times a day to pray), and many of the prophets. People bowed and knelt down in the presence of Jesus including the wise men (Mt. 2:11), the leper of Lk. 5:12, the Syrophoenician woman, the father of the epileptic boy (Mt. 17:14), the mother of the sons of Zebedee (Mt. 20:20), Simon Peter (Lk 5:8), Mary the sister of Lazurus (Jn. 11:32), and Thomas, following Jesus’ resurrection.

St. Paul says, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father” and “After the secrets of the unbeliever’s heart are disclosed, that person will bow down before God and worship him” (1 Cor. 14:25).

The Scriptures also exhort us to “Come let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our God our Maker” (Psalm 95:6) and “At the name of Jesus every knee should bend on heaven and on earth” (Phil. 2:10). The heavenly worship in Revelation includes all creatures bowing down before God.

Kneeling and bowing are particularly appropriate during confession and seasons of penitence. Many Anglicans bow or kneel in the direction of the altar, signifying the obedience and submission to God whose presence is signified in the altar. Genuflecting (bending down on the right knee) is also appropriate whenver the Sacrament of the Eucharist is present as a sign of reverence. Some people also bow their heads slightly at the name of Jesus or the Trinitarian formula.

We also stand at certain points in the liturgy in order to show our respect and to help us focus. Whenever we sing, pray, or hear the Gospel read for instance, we stand. We also sit to pray and listen at specific times. These contrasting movements help us stay active, aware, focused, and fully participating in worship.