Evangelical and Catholic:
the Sunday Liturgy
of the
Lutheran Church
(PDF File)
What About
Kneeling? 		The Sign
of the Cross 		"catholic"
Worship
The Real Presence
of Christ in
the Sacrament 		Bowing What is, and Why use,
the Historic Liturgy
On Turning Together
Toward the Lord 		The Most Holy
Trinity 		Reverence and
Preparation
What About Kneeling?

Kneeling may seem somewhat "new" to some because not many Lutheran churches in North America have "kneelers" for the congregation-although kneelers have been common in Europe and Sweden.

St. Paul writes,

"Therefore God has highly exalted him (Jesus) and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth." - Philippians 2:10

The practice of kneeling comes to us from Jewish devotion, is affirmed in the New Testament, and is the utmost act of worship and humility before our Great Lord and King. St. Paul affirms that at the name of Jesus, all should kneel before the name and presence of Jesus Christ! Hence, in accordance with Holy Scripture, our parish practice is to provide the opportunity for worshipers to kneel, if they are physically able. That's why we have kneelers. Like the custom of kneeling for communion, it is a meaningful custom to develop within our congregation. It is a useful spiritual discipline that fosters humility, respect and awe. For those who truly are physically unable, we want them to feel comfortable standing or sitting, as their situation dictates. Hence, we have arrived at a simple instruction that best says what we want to say. "If you are able, please kneel. If not, you may sit or stand."

Is this a requirement? Not any more than kneeling for communion is a requirement. It is a meaningful spiritual practice within our congregation that we want to encourage. We want the majority of able-bodied folks to kneel, so that new members/visitors will also feel comfortable, and will become accustomed. However, the ushers will not be "kneeling police". The question of kneeling is an adiaphoron. Although "O come let us bow down and bend the knee, and kneel before the Lord our maker" (Psalm 95) is an invitation in the Scriptures, it has never been understood as a "command". Kneeling is simply an appropriate posture showing humility and penitence, but also supplication, respect, awe and praise. Posture, action and "body language" are powerful communicators, both to our own hearts, and as a "public witness", testifying outwardly and visibly, to where we stand (or kneel) before our Awesome God.

Where are appropriate places in the Sunday liturgy to kneel at our seats? Of course, it is appropriate to kneel whenever one feels like showing special reverence before God. As a devotional practice, you may kneel as you pray and prepare yourself after entering the sanctuary before worship (see the prayers for personal devotion on the inside front cover of the Sunday worship folder); during the prayer of confession; during the intercessory prayers; throughout the Eucharistic Prayer (after the singing of "Holy, holy, holy...) through the "Lamb of God" (again, see notes in the worship folder); and after returning from receiving communion. Paul Strodach, in his A Manual on Worship, reminds us, "The kneeling posture has always been associated with the deepest sense of religious awe and the strongest fervors of devotion..." That sentence speaks volumes.