covering head during prayer

[BlestVessel]

First Corinthians 11 is not yet clear to me, but I think it is a beautiful thing when a person covers their head during prayer with right motive.
I've thought it to be similar to one approaching God on their knees or on their face. We all need so much to remind ourselves of what an awesome gift it is to approach The Throne, since so much reverence is due to our constant Friend and shared God.


Verse 15 (But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. KJV) has encouraged me in that I have realized that my hair is a great blessing. I would never think of it as "a glory for me," except that it is written, so I know that it is a greater gift than I realize. I am growing mine out now because I cut it very short years ago... it's funny how such a thing can mean so much, but I cut it because it was kind of a security blanket, a way to hide myself because of shyness. Now, I wear it like a crown, being mindful that a woman's hair can also be a very sensual for men so it's a responsibility as well as a blessing.

Everywhere you look is a new demonstration of God's love we've only barely looked at.

 

[Akathist]

There is a very old tradition in Orthodox Christianity that women are supposed to cover their head at services and when praying... even at one time to keep heads covered all the time.

In later years this has become much less common. To the point where in some Orthodox Churches women feel that they CAN'T cover their heads because no one else is.

I cover my head with a scarf almost all the time. If I don't it is because I refuse to skip a time of prayer just because I'm not covered, or because I am saying a spontaneous prayer. I find that covering my head helps me to focus on how I am the handmaid of God and to give proper reverance to Him. Also, it helps me to focus on my prayers.

We have a thread about this in "The Ancient Way" with alot of comments too.

 

[tpony298]

I am a hat person.. all my life.. I am also female...I just feel undressed without my hat...Years ago I worked at a stressful job in a boys reform school (they calll the treatment center now ..but same thing) I found when I got home I was reacting to my own children like I was at work. So I began a jester,, weather I was wearing a hat or not. (Was not allowed to wear them at work) I would jester and put on an imaginary hat, and remove it when I left work, and put on my home hat. It helped me to stay focused. When I pray, I do something to stay focused...weather it is to sit on my bed...(I can not kneel anymore)...or write letters.. or just cover my head...Then nothing can distract me from my prayers. love Pony

 

[Linx]

What an interesting concept! I have to admit that I've never heard about head covering before. Just from what little I've seen from the thread, it seems like just a great way to kind of zone out of any distractions that may be around when praying. I think I may try it, but I'll need to find something that won't suffocate me.

As for whether I think one or the other is right, I think that's up to the person. It seems like it would be a way to focus and show God He has your whole attention. If I took it literally as a command, I would also have to follow all of the other Jewish commands as well...but I'm just giving my general, uneducated opinion on the matter. Thanks for sharing about it, OP.

 

[Freakconformist]

Hmm, when I last had this discussion with the leader of our Cell group (or bible group, same-same) it sounded rediculous, legalistic and old fasioned to me. However the idea of having a little privacy with God is appealing. Esspecially since I have a very busy mind and sometimes it'll wander. I can almost see God snapping his fingers at me and say "Up here, Sarah."

I could see having to explain it in Church though, it's a very liberal Church. I don't see anybody condeming it perse, but theres a possibilty they would discourage it so others wouldn't feel uncomfortable.

Otherwise I have a few questions.

Dose covering the head have anything to do with the Church being the bride of Christ? Like a symbolism thing?

Or

Would it have anything to do with when God passed over Moses on Mt. Sainai. Didn't God reach down and cover Moses' head so that he wouldn't die from seeing His full Glory?

Edit: A lot of people are pointing out that it helps them keep focus. Perhaps it isn't just tradition and reverence. It may be that focus was God's intent the whole time.

 

[pdudgeon]

I think this is something (head covering) that is not taught from the pulpit in churches today, so it is interesting that the discussion should be brought up.
for the past few years I have worn hats to church or outside at various times. my hat of choice happened to be a plain white baseball cap. Gradually i got used to wearing it outside and felt odd if i didn't have it on.
I'm not a person who looks teriffic in a hat but it was accepted at my church.
I was also able to use it as a recognition sign for people who didn't know me by sight.

I cannot remember now what prompted me to stop wearing it, but i know that while i was wearing it i learned much, and it gave me a secure feeling in a troubling time.

 

[tpony298]

This whole issue needs to be looked at in the wider context. Paul is talking to Jewish people and / or Jewish converts and other people of his time. If we are to be fully Jewish and obey all these rules what else is there?

E.g. Women do not wear make up or jewelry. Wear clothes like what they wore then. You can't have one or the other. Have you seen Muslim women in their full gear, well, it was similar to that! For men it was easier, but it would mean NO western style clothing


One must either go fully Jewish / Middle Eastern or not.

Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.


Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

I don't
think covering one's head makes you jewish. I think it is a personal choice of respect and modesty. Maybe a little vanity of you are bauld on top especially if you are a woman and want to look your best for your Lord...Some women don't ware slacks to church or sleeveless tops...love Pony

 

[soblessed53]

I agree with WhiteDove7 post #20 Paul explains it was just a custom NOT a church ordinance! I Corinthians 11:16, "But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God."

 

[soblessed53]

I would like to add that I do like the Post #21 by BlestVessel just because of the worshipful attitude shown, so I think if someone feels that way,it could be your own show of honor,worship to God to go ahead and do it,but if you don't feel that way then you do not have to let a church "Bully" you into it[I mean protestant here]. I have to admit it is pretty out of fashion nowdays so not custom,but I think there would be nothing wrong if churches did go to those little lacy round things pinned on top. I would go for it. I have no wish to have long hair anymore as with the loss of dexterity of my left hand from two mini-strokes, I am not able to care for and style long hair anymore so i wear it a little shorter than shoulder-length,flipped and feathered back I can do that one-handed with a blow-dryer and styling brush. I also know some who get headaches from long thick,heavy hair. However,You have given me something to think about BlestVessel! I love your thinking!

 

[PuritanLady]

Correction...Paul starts out by stating that he is giving ordinances. 1Corinthians 11:2. Obviously the Lord's Supper is an ordinance. You can't just skip from verse two over to the Lord's Supper, throwing out the ordinance of covering as cultural. I happen to be well verse in fashion history and can tell you that the headcovering is NOT cultural, but rather a time honored ordinance. If it were merely cultural then we would not have seen its use throughout the whole of history. Only in America in the mid 1900's did we for the most part lose the practice with the coming of liberal Christianity. Even then, many of the conservatives kept it or are coming back to it.

On the "no such custom" portion:
From TableTalk (with permission) (RC Sproul)
Monday, June 24
1 Corinthians 11:13-16

THE WOMAN'S GLORY

To sum up his teaching on head coverings in public worship and the divinely appointed order of authority established at creation, Paul exhorts Christians to judge the matter for themselves. Should we not do what even nature teaches is appropriate? Here again we meet the crux of Paul's argument against a woman praying and prophesying with her head uncovered: the dictates of nature stand inoppostion to such behavior. The laws of nature that transcend culture have established a veil for the woman, a veil that is in itself beautiful and specially designed for her--a mark of her femininity and her subordination. In this, her hair is a glory to her, an ornament of great worth. If nature gives such a covering to a woman, should she not put on a covering when wntering the public worship? Is the covering Paul calls women to adorn themselves with any less appropriate, any less glorious in its symbolism than her long hair, her "natural covering"? This is Paul's argument for men and women to maintain propriety in public worship and to honor God in recognizing the distinctions He has woven into the fabric of His creation by making them male and female.
Paul concludes by urging the Corinthians to disregard those who would stir up dissention by refusing to comply with the apostle's authoritative instruction. Some have misinterpreted this passage by saying that Paul suddenly throws everything he has been passionately teaching onout the window with his staement that neither the apostles not he churches of God practice the custom of head coverings. This, of course, makes no sense in the grand scheme of the text. For on thing, it is commonly known that the women in most of the churches at that time wore veils, a practice that continued in one form or another until modern times. Secondly, the word for custom here can mean "practice," or "habit," or "being accustomed to," all of which can apply to being contentious, not to wearing head coverings. As Calcin says, "it is not the custom [or habit] of the church to enter into strifes and contentions." Because such contentious behavior over matters of propriety in worship is not hte practice of God's people, then we must not give heed to those who refuse to submit to the apostle's teaching.

COREM DEO

Contention can be a common thing in churches, but, according to Paul this should not be our practice. Why, then, is it so common? Are you guilty of being contentious about issues in the church? If so, pray that God will give you a humble disposition and live for others. If not, pray that those who stir up trouble in the church will be humbled.