Q: Why is it considered less joyous if we kneel during prayers and Eucharist? I find it easier to concentrate and be in the moment while kneeling.
I'm not sure it's considered less joyous, but each person experiences different things while praying using different postures. Over the years, the church has become less prescriptive about postures during the prayers. I even use the phrase (please stand, sit, or kneel as best helps you to pray). It is my intent to have you determine your own prayer posture so that you can concentrate and be "in the moment."
That doesn't preclude us from learning that gestures and postures say different things. We all know about body language and how we can portray things to others by the way we stand or cross our arms or whatever. Prayer postures are much like that.
Kneeling is a sign of humility and reverence. I would say that kneeling is always a great posture for prayer. Sometimes it is uncomfortable. Especially if you have knee joint problems. Kneeling is often thought to be penitential or submissive.
Standing is a sign of worth, dignity and respect. We are taught in our culture that we stand when someone important enters the room. Standing during prayer is often a sign of thankfulness and praise of Jesus who, through his death and resurrection, made us able and worthy to be reunited to God. Prayer B (starting on page 367 of the Book of Common Prayer) has the phrase "made us worthy to stand before you." It seems confusing to say that we lift our hearts up to the Lord as we are giving praise in celebration to fall on our knees... confusing, but sometimes appropriate during particularly penitential seasons like Lent.
The Episcopal Church is full of gestures, as a kid we called them Episco-robics! Stand, Sit, Kneel, Stand, Kneel, Sit, Bow, Kneel, Stand, etc... Worship can be an incredible workout. I personally use these simple guidelines.
- Stand: to sing, proclaim, and pray during Easter (proclaim: such as reciting a creedal statement)
- Sit: to learn (during the lessons, readings, preaching, etc...)
- Kneel: to pray (especially in Lent)
Fun fact to know and tell: The first council of Nicaea (from which we get the Nicene Creed) as early as 325 actually addressed standing during prayers at the liturgy, especially the consecration. This resulted in a church disciplinary canon. I don't think that anyone today will be arrested for kneeling during prayers at church. ;)
