In this day and time of pseudo patriotism, partisan political drama, and theatrical religious pundits, it becomes necessary almost daily to step back from the corporate media machine and call for a personal time out. The sensory overload of bad news –real, imagined and manufactured– can and does create hyper stress over time for millions of people worldwide.
To relieve stress:, people turn to a diverse array of distractions: intoxicants, gambling, debauchery, television fixations, non stop music, and emotional rages of all sorts for short term relief. Little do most people realize that an ancient solution and panacea for all of our anxieties lies in worship, and in particular, prayer.
Looking beyond our different names for the Almighty and focusing on His guidance for salvation and happiness, we can pray in the prescribed way, not our own, and discover why He alone is worthy of praise and glory.
The following list contains Biblical references that describe prostration, the key element of a Muslim’s prayer.
1. Abram fell face down, and God said to him. GENESIS17:3
2. When Abraham’s servant heard what they said, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD. Genesis 24:51-53
3. Then Joseph removed them from Israel’s knees and bowed down with his face to the ground. Genesis 48:11-13
4. Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. Exodus 34:7-9
5. Then Moses and Aaron fell face down in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. Numbers 14:5
6. “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” Joshua 5:13-15
7. Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. 2 Chronicles 20:17-19
8. 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.” 2 Chronicles 7:2-4
9. Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.
1 Samuel 24:7-9
10. Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Nehemiah 8:5-7
11. While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. Daniel 10:14-16
12. When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground, terrified. Matthew 17:5-7
13. Going a little farther, he (Jesus) fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. Mark 14:34-36
There are over thirty Biblical verses that range from Genesis to Revelation depicting the mode of prayer of the believers, which join us together in prayer and worship.
-Compiled by Basil Shaheed
