postures and gestures in worship (part 2: the posture of standing)
[This continues the series begun last week on the various postures and gestures during prayer. Last week with part 1, I introduced a few points that establish the foundation for the rest of the series. This part looks at the references to the posture of standing and the spirituality expressed by it.]
Standing is the most common posture in worship. Elochujwu Uzukwu, one of the authors I mentioned in Part I, calls it "the oldest and most persistent Christian gesture at prayer." How so? Well, just take a look at some of the many references to it.
Biblical references to standing
There are numerous references to standing in the Scriptures. For instance, in the book of Samuel, as Hannah dedicates her son Samuel to God, she describes to Eli how she prayed: "Oh my lord! As you live my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord" (1 Samuel 1:26, NRSV).
This same position is also used to describe God's own posture. For instance, as the two angels who visited Abraham walked on towards Sodom, "the Lord remained standing before Abraham" who subsequently interceded for Sodom, asking God to spare the city if 10 righteous individuals were found (Gen. 10:22, NAB).
And in the book of Nehemiah, there is a description of a call by some members of the tribe of Levi to all of the people of Israel to pray: "Stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting" (Nehemiah 9:5, NRSV hereon).
The New Testament as well describes standing while praying. In one of his parables, Jesus mentions this posture: "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses" (Mark 11:25).
And in the book of Revelation, John describes a "great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb" (Revelation 7:9).
Non-Biblical references to standing
But apart from the Bible, some of the church Fathers also mention standing in their writings. In some of their descriptions, the orans position (arms extended) while standing is found.
In his Apology for instance Tertullian writes that "we Christians with hands extended, because they are harmless, with heads bare because we are not ashamed, without a prayer leader because we pray from the heart---constantly beseech Him."
Origen takes this standing posture a bit further however: "Even more than stretching out the hands to heaven, one must lift up the soul heavenward...we are of the opinion that this posture should be preferred, where there is nothing to prevent it."
Another Church father, Augustine, in his Ennerationes in Psalmos, writes: "Therefore, lift up your hands in prayer. Our Lord lifted up his hands on the cross for us and extended his hands for us."
In addition to the Church fathers, other documents point to standing. I will name three others:
1) The Council of Nicea's canon 20 decreeed that in order that all things may be observed in like manner in every church "all should at those times [the Lord's Day and in the days of Pentecost] offer up their prayers to God standing."
2) The Venerable Bede in one of his homilies taught that "we venerate in the image of a 50-day period the state of our future blessedness namely by relaxing the fast, by singing Alleluia, by standing for prayer." He adds that these are the "most appropriate foreboding of eternal refreshment, praise, and resurrection."
3) Also, the Ordo Romanus Primus--described as the oldest surviving description of the Roman Mass--said that all stood for the preface of the Mass, and that from the Sanctus to the end of the Eucharistic Prayer, the people also stood with heads bowed.
Spirituality of the standing posture
From these reference to the standing posture, one can identify some of the spitirual attitudes and intentions expressed. From Bede's homily one sees that the posture symbolizes the resurrection: that the upward motion of the soul toward heaven is symbolized by the upright position of the body.
Also, this posture suggests God's role as a communication-partner with whom one can dialogue and "bargain." How so? Well, the Biblical passage quoted above from Genesis describes God standing with Abraham who interceded on behalf of Sodom and "bargained" with God to save the city.
This posture therefore points to the fact that humans are not diminishing themselves and their being at prayer, but rather approach God without embarrassment, shame, and weakness.
This posture is a sign of self-confidence, which comes from our being made sovereigns and rulers over the earth: "Have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth" (Gen. 1:28).
It is also the posture that expresses respect, attention, and readiness. One manifests this intention and attitude for instance when one stands as an elderly person (as it is still practiced in traditional cultures) or a person of some importance enter the room (a head of state for instance).
[In part 3: kneeling at prayer]
Standing is the most common posture in worship. Elochujwu Uzukwu, one of the authors I mentioned in Part I, calls it "the oldest and most persistent Christian gesture at prayer." How so? Well, just take a look at some of the many references to it.
Biblical references to standing
There are numerous references to standing in the Scriptures. For instance, in the book of Samuel, as Hannah dedicates her son Samuel to God, she describes to Eli how she prayed: "Oh my lord! As you live my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord" (1 Samuel 1:26, NRSV).
This same position is also used to describe God's own posture. For instance, as the two angels who visited Abraham walked on towards Sodom, "the Lord remained standing before Abraham" who subsequently interceded for Sodom, asking God to spare the city if 10 righteous individuals were found (Gen. 10:22, NAB).
And in the book of Nehemiah, there is a description of a call by some members of the tribe of Levi to all of the people of Israel to pray: "Stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting" (Nehemiah 9:5, NRSV hereon).
The New Testament as well describes standing while praying. In one of his parables, Jesus mentions this posture: "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses" (Mark 11:25).
And in the book of Revelation, John describes a "great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb" (Revelation 7:9).
Non-Biblical references to standing
But apart from the Bible, some of the church Fathers also mention standing in their writings. In some of their descriptions, the orans position (arms extended) while standing is found.
In his Apology for instance Tertullian writes that "we Christians with hands extended, because they are harmless, with heads bare because we are not ashamed, without a prayer leader because we pray from the heart---constantly beseech Him."
Origen takes this standing posture a bit further however: "Even more than stretching out the hands to heaven, one must lift up the soul heavenward...we are of the opinion that this posture should be preferred, where there is nothing to prevent it."
Another Church father, Augustine, in his Ennerationes in Psalmos, writes: "Therefore, lift up your hands in prayer. Our Lord lifted up his hands on the cross for us and extended his hands for us."
In addition to the Church fathers, other documents point to standing. I will name three others:
1) The Council of Nicea's canon 20 decreeed that in order that all things may be observed in like manner in every church "all should at those times [the Lord's Day and in the days of Pentecost] offer up their prayers to God standing."
2) The Venerable Bede in one of his homilies taught that "we venerate in the image of a 50-day period the state of our future blessedness namely by relaxing the fast, by singing Alleluia, by standing for prayer." He adds that these are the "most appropriate foreboding of eternal refreshment, praise, and resurrection."
3) Also, the Ordo Romanus Primus--described as the oldest surviving description of the Roman Mass--said that all stood for the preface of the Mass, and that from the Sanctus to the end of the Eucharistic Prayer, the people also stood with heads bowed.
Spirituality of the standing posture
From these reference to the standing posture, one can identify some of the spitirual attitudes and intentions expressed. From Bede's homily one sees that the posture symbolizes the resurrection: that the upward motion of the soul toward heaven is symbolized by the upright position of the body.
Also, this posture suggests God's role as a communication-partner with whom one can dialogue and "bargain." How so? Well, the Biblical passage quoted above from Genesis describes God standing with Abraham who interceded on behalf of Sodom and "bargained" with God to save the city.
This posture therefore points to the fact that humans are not diminishing themselves and their being at prayer, but rather approach God without embarrassment, shame, and weakness.
This posture is a sign of self-confidence, which comes from our being made sovereigns and rulers over the earth: "Have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth" (Gen. 1:28).
It is also the posture that expresses respect, attention, and readiness. One manifests this intention and attitude for instance when one stands as an elderly person (as it is still practiced in traditional cultures) or a person of some importance enter the room (a head of state for instance).
[In part 3: kneeling at prayer]
posted by dixerit at 1:37 PM
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