Hello, Friends. Today I want to give us meaning to what prostrate prayer is. I am doing so by way of the Bible Hub. I hope it will help us better understand what it is and if and when we may use it in our own prayer time with God. Please read on:
The term "prostrate" in the biblical context refers to the act of lying face down on the ground, often as a gesture of deep reverence, submission, worship, or supplication before God. This physical posture is a powerful expression of humility and acknowledgment of God's majesty and authority. Throughout the Scriptures, various individuals and groups are described as prostrating themselves in moments of divine encounter, prayer, or repentance.
Old Testament Instances
In the Old Testament, prostration is frequently associated with worship and the acknowledgment of God's holiness. One of the earliest instances is found in Genesis 17:3, where Abram falls facedown as God speaks to him: "Then Abram fell facedown, and God said to him." This act signifies Abram's reverence and submission to God's covenant.
Another significant example is found in Joshua 5:14, where Joshua encounters the commander of the LORD's army: "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?" Joshua's prostration indicates his recognition of divine authority and his readiness to receive God's instructions.
The act of prostration is also evident in the worship practices of Israel. In 2 Chronicles 7:3, after the dedication of Solomon's temple, the Israelites respond to God's glory by bowing down: "When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, 'He is good; his love endures forever.'"
New Testament Instances
In the New Testament, prostration continues to be a significant expression of worship and submission. In Matthew 2:11, the Magi demonstrate their reverence for the newborn King by prostrating themselves: "On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
The Gospels also record instances where individuals prostrate themselves before Jesus in acts of faith and supplication. In Matthew 8:2, a leper approaches Jesus with a plea for healing: "Suddenly a leper came and knelt before Him, saying, 'Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.'" The leper's posture reflects his desperation and belief in Jesus' power to heal.
In the book of Revelation, prostration is depicted as a heavenly act of worship. Revelation 7:11 describes the angels, elders, and living creatures worshiping God: "And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell facedown before the throne and worshiped God."
Theological Significance
Prostration in the Bible is more than a mere physical act; it is a profound expression of the heart's attitude toward God. It signifies total surrender, humility, and recognition of God's sovereignty. By prostrating themselves, believers demonstrate their acknowledgment of God's greatness and their own dependence on His grace and mercy.
Throughout Scripture, the act of prostration serves as a reminder of the appropriate posture of the human heart before the Creator. It calls believers to approach God with reverence, humility, and a willingness to submit to His will, reflecting the ultimate example of Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself in obedience to the Father.
1. (a.) Lying at length, or with the body extended on the ground or other surface; stretched out; as, to sleep prostrate.
2. (a.) Lying at mercy, as a supplicant.
3. (a.) Lying in a humble, lowly, or suppliant posture.
4. (a.) Trailing on the ground; procumbent.
5. (v. t.) To lay fiat; to throw down; to level; to fell; as, to prostrate the body; to prostrate trees or plants.
6. (v. t.) to overthrow; to demolish; to destroy; to deprive of efficiency; to ruin; as, to prostrate a village; to prostrate a government; to prostrate law or justice.
7. (v. t.) To throw down, or cause to fall in humility or adoration; to cause to bow in humble reverence; used reflexively; as, he prostrated himself.
8. (v. t.) To cause to sink totally; to deprive of strength; to reduce; as, a person prostrated by fever.
Prostrate (25 Occurrences)
Numbers 24:4
he says, who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open:
(See NIV)
Numbers 24:16
he says, who hears the words of God, knows the knowledge of the Most High, and who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, and having his eyes open:
(See NIV)
Deuteronomy 9:18
And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights; I did neither eat bread nor drink water; because of all your sin which ye sinned, in doing that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him.
(See RSV NIV)
Deuteronomy 9:25
So I fell down before Yahweh the forty days and forty nights that I fell down, because Yahweh had said he would destroy you.
(See RSV NIV)
2 Samuel 15:5
And it was so, that, when any man came nigh to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took hold of him, and kissed him.
(See JPS NAS)
2 Samuel 16:4
Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine is all that pertaineth unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I do obeisance; let me find favor in thy sight, my lord, O king.
(See JPS NAS)
2 Samuel 19:18
A ferry boat went to bring over the king's household, and to do what he thought good. Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, when he was come over the Jordan.
(See NIV)
1 Kings 18:39
When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces. They said, "Yahweh, he is God! Yahweh, he is God!"
(See NIV)
2 Kings 5:18
In this thing Jehovah pardon thy servant: when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, Jehovah pardon thy servant in this thing.
(See JPS)
1 Chronicles 29:20
David said to all the assembly, Now bless Yahweh your God. All the assembly blessed Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads and prostrated themselves before Yahweh and the king.
(Root in WEB JPS NIV)
Job 14:10
But a man dieth, and is prostrate; yea, man expireth, and where is he?
(DBY NAS)
Psalms 36:12
There the workers of iniquity are fallen. They are thrust down, and shall not be able to rise.
(See RSV)
Psalms 38:6
I am pained and bowed down greatly. I go mourning all day long.
(See RSV)
Psalms 72:11
Yea, all kings shall fall down before him; All nations shall serve him.
(See JPS)
Psalms 86:9
All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; And they shall glorify thy name.
(See JPS)
Psalms 88:5
Prostrate among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave; whom thou rememberest no more, and who are cut off from thy hand.
(DBY)
Psalms 99:5
Exalt ye Jehovah our God, And worship at his footstool: Holy is he.
(See JPS)
Isaiah 14:12
How art thou fallen from heaven, Lucifer, son of the morning! Thou art cut down to the ground, that didst prostrate the nations!
(DBY)
Isaiah 15:3
In their streets they gird themselves with sackcloth; on their housetops, and in their broad places, every one howleth, weeping profusely.
(See NIV)
Isaiah 29:4
And you will be made low, and your voice will come out of the earth, and your words will be low out of the dust; and your voice will come out of the earth like that of a spirit, making bird-like noises out of the dust.
(See NAS)
Isaiah 49:7
Thus saith Jehovah, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall worship; because of Jehovah that is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who hath chosen thee.
(See JPS RSV)
Isaiah 51:23
But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; who have said to thy soul, Prostrate thyself, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.
(WBS NIV)
Jeremiah 46:15
Why are your strong ones swept away? they didn't stand, because Yahweh did drive them.
(See NAS)
Daniel 2:46
Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, and worshiped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an offering and sweet odors to him.
(See NIV)
Daniel 8:17
So he came near where I stood; and when he came, I was frightened, and fell on my face: but he said to me, Understand, son of man; for the vision belongs to the time of the end.
(See NIV)
(source: Bible Hub)
There is a lot here to take in on this subject. In tomorrow's post, I will try to answer why we should pray prostrate at different times in our lives.
Thanks for coming by today, Friends. Please always keep in mind that as I do these posts, I am learning right along with you on many of the topic I post.
Have a blessed day! God be with you and yours!
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