Search
Search

Worshipping with Our Bodies

Worshipping with Our Bodies

Join the Community!

The Wake-Up Call is a daily encouragement to shake off the slumber of our busy lives and turn our eyes toward Jesus.

Click here to get yours free in your inbox each morning!

When attending an Anglican worship service you will notice different people standing, sitting, keeling, and making various gestures throughout the service. What is behind these unique motions? I would like to address some of the common worship postures and gestures that you may encounter when worshipping in an Anglican worship service.

If you think about it, worshiping God involves our bodies as well as our minds and emotions. Anglican worship engages the full senses hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching. For worship, Anglicans sometimes use the adage, “Kneel for prayer, stand for praise, sit for instruction.” Here area few common gestures that you will encounter in an Anglican worship service.

Bowing

The first is bowing in the worship service. Bowing is a sign of reverence and to recognize God’s presence. For instance, it is typical to bow when passing an altar or when the Cross passes by one during a procession or when the Gospel is read aloud.

Crossing

The second is the sign of the Cross, which symbolizes God’s blessings on us through Christ’s cross and it also expresses our trust in God. The sign of the Cross is made with the right hand, from forehead to chest, then from left shoulder to right.

Genuflection

The last gesture is kneeling during the service. This act is called Genuflection, which is a fancy word which means kneeling briefly on the right knee and returning upright. It is appropriate to genuflect in respect and honor of our Lord when approaching or passing an altar. People sometimes genuflect as they leave their pew to go to communion and as they return.

If you are coming from a low-church background, the Anglican worship service can seem a little intimidating at first. Please don’t be intimidated by all the gestures. In Anglican worship, none of these gestures are mandatory. Remember that you are welcome to use those gestures that aid your worship, and that they are entirely optional. If you find them helpful, then use them. They are designed to give glory to God and assist you in the worship of God.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *