“Why do we kneel?”

NSFAQ (not so frequently asked questions) – learn more about our faith.

Some call it “Episcopal Aerobics.” Sit, stand, kneel, repeat. It’s good cardiovascular exercise; however, kneeling is more than getting your blood pumping. It is a tangible way worshippers may show reverence (respect and awe) to God. Why kneeling? Why do some kneel and others don’t? As with most rituals, there are several answers.

During services, there are times we kneel together. The rubrics on Rite I have “Kneel or stand” and Rite II have  “Stand or kneel” suggesting a priority in a given Rite of the church. We start with that “whump” of kneelers going down – a unique “churchy” sound. There are some who consider kneelers as “cheating” because it’s easier getting up from kneelers than the floor, but I think God understands kneelers.

There is an irony in kneeling because standing is the traditional and earliest prayer posture. Visit a church in the eastern Christian faith tradition and you’ll likely never see anyone kneeling.

An important reason we kneel is it is a sign of submission and obedience to our Creator. A kneeling person offers themselves as defenseless, unable to easily escape. Some other interesting meanings assigned to kneeling include: we are more grounded with four points of contact with the ground instead of two; we are more protected by being less visible from a distance; we are more stable because our center of gravity is lowered. All have rich symbolism when practiced during worship.

Perhaps most importantly, kneeling reflects respect and awe for God, a little something that helps us honor God’s glory.

What about those who rest their backside on the pew or just sit? You know who you are. If it is bothersome to you that some don’t really kneel, lighten up. God knows our hearts and will know if you’re really kneeling, even if our body hasn’t assumed the position.

Read a great article about kneeling at adoremus.org/2002/11/the-theology-of-kneeling.