Standing or kneeling?

[Jebediah]

For home prayer? Does it matter?

[theoforos]

For home prayer? Does it matter?

It's more typical for the Orthodox to pray standing, both church and home. But some people kneel for the Lord's prayer, especially during the weekdays. I've also heard that the Jesus prayer is often said in a kneeled or even a prostrated position, never witnessed or did it myself.

[Torah613]

Stand, unless it is a particular day in which kneeling or prostrating is more apropriate.

Joe Zollars

[Oblio]

I have a 2 year old, so I kneel :)

[eoe]

In "The Art of Prayer" Saint Theophan the Recluse says:

To pray does not only mean to stand in prayer. To keep the mind and the heart turned towards God and directed to Him- this is already prayer, whatever the position in which one may be. Prayer according to the rule is one thing, and this state of prayer is another. The way to it is to attain the habit of constant rememberance of God, of the last hour and the judgement that follows it. Accustom yourself to this, and all will go well. Every step you take will be inwardly consecrated to God. You know what the commandments are. That is all. It is possible to apply these commanments to every event, ant to consecrate all your activities inwardly to God; and the all your life will be dedicated to Him. What more is necessary? Nothing. You see how simple it is.
So we see 2 things here.

To turn the mind and the heart towards God is prayer in itself. You can do this in any position at all and at any time.
When you are observing a prayer rule then you need to do it in the manner prescribed to you by your spiritual father.

[RobNJ]

Standing! (and unfortunately, if the heel spur is acting up... sitting :( )
And since one knee has gone through car dashboards on two seperate occasions, there isn't much kneeling, longer than two or three minutes.

[Dust and Ashes]

It's more typical for the Orthodox to pray standing, both church and home. But some people kneel for the Lord's prayer, especially during the weekdays. I've also heard that the Jesus prayer is often said in a kneeled or even a prostrated position, never witnessed or did it myself.

That's how we pray at home, though Father did have me start saying the Jesus Prayer at the end and doing prostrations.

[HandmaidenOfGod]

Check with your priest, but in general, most prayer is done standing.

Note: The week after the feast of the Nativity (a.k.a. Christmas) and the weeks following Pascha up until Pentacost, kneeling and prostrating is not permitted. This is in celebration of these feasts. Also, while I'm not sure if this holds true in all parishes, in my parish, kneeling is not permitted on Sunday, as every Sunday is considered a "mini-Pascha."

In XC,

Maureen

[eoe]

Also, while I'm not sure if this holds true in all parishes, in my parish, kneeling is not permitted on Sunday, as every Sunday is considered a "mini-Pascha."
This explains Mr. Grumpy Frowny face at my parish who gives the "eye" when people kneel during the consecration...

[The Prokeimenon!]

I stand until I lose my concentration, then I kneel. This was advise given by my Priest, so it wouldn't apply to everybody (though it was just general advise.) But when I can't concentrate, I kneel, and the physical act centers me, for some reason. It hurts my knees but it keeps me very focused.

My Priest says that if we're in the habit of walking past our prayer corner without so much as looking at the Icons, we should get on our knees and cross ourselves any time we pass in front of the Icons.

Rdr Moses

[Hackett]

Standing! (and unfortunately, if the heel spur is acting up... sitting :( )
And since one knee has gone through car dashboards on two seperate occasions, there isn't much kneeling, longer than two or three minutes.

I know what you mean. There are times in corporate worship or even alone that I feel the need to kneel before my Lord...Holy God.

We do also bow our hearts before Him in prayer. Bowing before Him speaks of our humility as we come to Him.

Kneeling is a good thing to do in that it physically reminds us of to whom we are speaking.

An attitude of prayer is where we should live... always praying and seeking HIS guidance and HIS will for our lives.

[ByzantineDixie]

Also, while I'm not sure if this holds true in all parishes, in my parish, kneeling is not permitted on Sunday, as every Sunday is considered a "mini-Pascha."



Yes, this would not be true in all parishes. We (Greek) kneel during the epiklesis.

I frequently kneel at home in prayer...it is quite appropriate in the Western Rite. I am Western...just happen to attend a Greek church. If my priest ever objects...I will follow his guidance but he tends to be pragmatic.

[Kolya]

This explains Mr. Grumpy Frowny face at my parish who gives the "eye" when people kneel during the consecration...


I prostrated for the first time today during the consecraction as it as not Sunday. Kneeling on a Sunday is a no-no. :)
At home I usually stand in front of the icon corner, but do prostrate myself during certain prayers and spiritual conditions.