Why do you bow your head and close your eyes when praying?

justme6272 · Dec 8, 2019

I was shocked to hear a pastor say recently that there's nothing in the Bible that says to bow your head or close your eyes when praying. Yet he and everyone in his congregation will keep doing it. Since he said this, I look around at the people during prayers, wondering why they're doing it if it's not Biblical. In fact, there are instances in the Bible where people raised their arms up and looked up while praying....just the opposite. The only reason I can see is tradition. People are told to do it their entire lives, so they keep doing it. Now that you know better, are you going to keep doing it? Why? Tradition? Peer pressure in case someone sees you looking around?

jacks · Dec 8, 2019

People might do it for any of the reasons you mentioned. For me sometimes I don't bow my head and close my eyes when I pray. When I do, it is usually to shut out other distractions so I can focus more on the Lord.

yeshuaslavejeff · Dec 8, 2019

QUOTE="justme6272, post: 74533058, member: 287717"]I was shocked to hear a pastor say recently that there's nothing in the Bible that says to bow your head or close your eyes when praying. Yet he and everyone in his congregation will keep doing it. Since he said this, I look around at the people during prayers, wondering why they're doing it if it's not Biblical. In fact, there are instances in the Bible where people raised their arms up and looked up while praying....just the opposite. The only reason I can see is tradition. People are told to do it their entire lives, so they keep doing it. Now that you know better, are you going to keep doing it? Why? Tradition? Peer pressure in case someone sees you looking around?[/QUOTE
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Tradition often has taken the place of Truth for thousands of years, and overrides Scripture . (it should not, but often it does; more often in the world than not)

Dave G. · Dec 8, 2019

I'm one of those who tends to raise my head, look up, eyes open and a hand high. The more serious the circumstance I'm praying for the more likely I am to do this. Job was told to stand up like a man as God addressed Him and said He would ask questions and Job will answer them. It's an awesome portion of scripture. But that isn't why I do it, most of my answered prayers have happened when doing so. In our church system we are asked to bow heads and close eyes when from the pulpit they ask if anyone wants to come to Christ, to raise their hands if so. I gather this is for the comfort of those accepting Jesus.

Palmfever · Dec 8, 2019

justme6272 said:
I was shocked to hear a pastor say recently that there's nothing in the Bible that says to bow your head or close your eyes when praying. Yet he and everyone in his congregation will keep doing it. Since he said this, I look around at the people during prayers, wondering why they're doing it if it's not Biblical. In fact, there are instances in the Bible where people raised their arms up and looked up while praying....just the opposite. The only reason I can see is tradition. People are told to do it their entire lives, so they keep doing it. Now that you know better, are you going to keep doing it? Why? Tradition? Peer pressure in case someone sees you looking around?

Not really. To me it's a conversation. So sometimes yes. More often no. I'm always talking to God, I'd be dead if I closed my eyes and attempted to get on my knees while driving or working. My thought is, Don't "strain at a gnat and swallow a camel".

Albion · Dec 8, 2019

Bowing one's head and closing one's eyes, both of which are strictly optional, simply help the person focus or consecrate on the praying.

Athanasius377 · Dec 8, 2019

The more ancient posture is one of standing. I think it’s a matter of personal preference. Choose what posture allows you to pray that works for you. The point is you are praying.

Josheb · Dec 8, 2019

justme6272 said:
I was shocked to hear a pastor say recently that there's nothing in the Bible that says to bow your head or close your eyes when praying. Yet he and everyone in his congregation will keep doing it. Since he said this, I look around at the people during prayers, wondering why they're doing it if it's not Biblical. In fact, there are instances in the Bible where people raised their arms up and looked up while praying....just the opposite. The only reason I can see is tradition. People are told to do it their entire lives, so they keep doing it. Now that you know better, are you going to keep doing it? Why? Tradition? Peer pressure in case someone sees you looking around?

The reason people close their eyes is to focus their thoughts and attention on God and prayer, and to keep from getting distracted.

Caution should be taken anytime you hear/read someone say "X is is not in the Bible," because they may be making an argument from silence (argumentum ex silentio). The Bible doesn't say you can wear stripes with plaid and polka dots. Doesn't mean you can't. Doesn't mean you should.

Radagast · Dec 8, 2019

Athanasius377 said:
The more ancient posture is one of standing.

Council of Nicaea, Canon 20, 325 AD:

Forasmuch as there are certain persons who kneel on the Lord's Day and in the days of Pentecost, therefore, to the intent that all things may be uniformly observed everywhere (in every parish), it seems good to the holy Synod that prayer be made to God standing.

JustRachel · Dec 8, 2019

When I am sitting and praying I close my eyes because my mind can easily be distracted by things seen. As someone else said, I don't close my eyes while conversing with God all throughout my daily grind.

renniks · Dec 8, 2019

I think it's to show reverence. At one church I visit, we kneel. I like it...some stand, some look up, there's nothing set in stone.

yeshuaslavejeff · Dec 8, 2019

Be Becoming Like Little Children.

HOW did the little children come to Jesus in the New Testament !?

JOYOUSLY! BLESSED! Into His Arms ! (even though the permanent disciples TRIED to stop them ! (like some do today! ? ) EYES OPEN and HAPPY !

sunshineforJesus · Dec 9, 2019

When I am in prayer I get down on my knees,eyes closed in reverence and in
complete concentration on my Lord and savior. I find it tough to pray with my eyes open
I am so used to praying eyes closed,humbly bowing before the Lord.

Why do you bow your head and close your eyes when praying?

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