Which direction to pray?
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WHY TURN TO EAST FOR PRAYER ?
By FR.DR.K.M.GEORGE
Principal Orthodox Theological Seminary, KottayamWhy do we turn to the East while we pray ? Can we not pray in any direction ? Since God is present every where and can hear our prayer, is it really necessary that we turn to a particular direction while praying?
Jews who live anywhere outside the holy city of Jerusalem traditionally turn to the direction of Jerusalem in Palestine ( modern Israel) for prayer, Muslims anywhere in the world will turn to Ka?aba, the sacred black stone in Mecca, Saudi Arabia for the prescribed hours of prayer. Christians from very ancient times used to turn to the direction of the rising sun for public prayer. For Christians in the western world this tradition is nearly lost. However all Christians belonging to the Eastern (Orthodox ) Christian churches still maintain this venerable practice of turning to the East for the public act of the community worship.
In the Christian church, we make a distinction between the personal prayer of an individual and the public worship of the Christian Community. An individual is free to pray any time, in any direction and in any posture. In fact, Christ and and the Apostles encouraged the practice of ?unceasing prayer?. One can pray while taking a bath, playing or eating. One can maintain the mood of prayer through out the day. This kind of continuous prayer of an individual has no fixed form or style or words. This could be done mostly in silence or with words one chooses or with the help of ancient prayers like the famous ? Jesus Prayer?. This can be practiced without engaging our conscious mind at all. This is essentially the practice of the presence of God every moment of our earthly life.
But public worship is different in its form and style. It is a community prayer in which many individuals together constitute one body, an expression of the body of Christ, the Church. They are not an ad-hoc community, but they continue the unbroken tradition of worshipping the Triune God from the time of the Apostles onwards. The best example of this kind of public worship is the Eucharistic liturgy or Holy Qurbana. In public worship we turn to East, the direction of the rising sun.
The Apostles of Christ were all Jews. The early disciples of Christ in Palestine were mostly Jews. They prayed like other Jews. Soon however, Christians developed their own prayers addressed to Christ as the saviour.
Because of a new spiritual awareness in the early Christian community, Christians developed a detachment to physical places like Jerusalem. Their absorbing concern was with the ?Heavenly Jerusalem? and the way to reach that abiding spiritual city. All places on earth were the same for them. No place was particularly sacred. So the early Christian community gradually moved away from the Jewish orientation to the city of Jerusalem in Palestine. At the same time a new sense of direction emerged in Christian worship, namely the direction of the rising sun.
This eastward direction developed in Christianity has a strong biblical basis
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In the biblical story of creation we read ? And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed ( Gen. 2. Eventually Adam and Eve, after their act of disobedience were sent out from the Garden of Eden in the East. According to Christian interpretation, since the time of this expulsion of the first parents by the eastern gate of paradise (=garden), all children of Adam and Eve look back to their lost home, the paradise in the East, with a deep sense of spiritual home sickness. So salvation is understood partly as a return to the original home.
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The prophets foretold the coming of Jesus as the Messiah in symbolic and figurative language. The New Testament writers interpreted these prophecies as having been fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. For example the prophecy of Malachi. ? But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings? ( 4 2). So looking to the East stands for our earnest waiting for the coming of Christ, the healer and saviour of the world.
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Jesus said ? I am the light of the world, he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life? ( St. John 812) Light is the source of life. On our planet earth, all life depends on the light of the sun. But the physical sun in our solar system sustains only biological life in plants, animals, and human beings. This life will eventually die. The sun as a star will ultimately die as well. In the spiritual realm, Jesus is the eternal sun. He is the source and sustainer of all life, both biological and spiritual. He is ? the true light that enlightens every human being? ( St. John, 19 ).
Therefore we symbolically turn to the direction of the rising sun to receive the light of the risen Christ. Christ is also called ? the bright morning star? ( Rev. 2216) He inaugurated the new age of the Kingdom of God. As the dawn breaks, the eastern horizon brightens up with beautiful colours. We turn to the beauty and brilliance of God?s light as we praise the triune God facing east.
- A popular Christian belief developed in the course of time that in the Second Coming, Christ would come from the East. The basis of this tradition is the Gospel reference ( Matt. 2427) that the coming of the Son of Man would be like lightening that shines from the east to the west.
So, turning to the east stands for our final preparation to receive Christ when he comes for the last Judgment of the world. Thus the east symbolizes our spiritual wakefulness, our readiness to give account of our life and our hope in the transfiguration of all creation in Christ our Lord.
This biblical, Christ centered tradition of the church of turning to the east in prayer is part of the rich heritage of the Orthodox church. We build our churches in the east-west direction. The whole congregation together with the priest turns to east in remembrance of all that God grants us from the time of our creation in Paradise to the fulfillment of all in the Second coming of Christ. The bodies of our beloved departed faithful are laid to rest facing the east with the hope of resurrection and meeting Jesus face to face.
Turning to the East, of course is a symbolic act. We know that East and West, South and North have no physical and geographical significance in the age of space travel in a Tran terrestrial cosmic frame. Yet it is a deeply spiritual symbol and a most beautiful one in the whole of Christian tradition. In special situations when the place or building where we worship happens to be inconvenient for the traditional orientation of the community, we are free to turn to any suitable direction. The sense of the east gives the right ? orientation? ( from the world Orient + East ) for our earthly life in the midst of suffering, doubt, and spiritual disorientation. In any case, it is only wise to keep this ancient tradition in its right spirit.
http//www.orthodoxherald.com/2009/07/06/why-turn-to-east-for-prayer/2/
Christianity and Judaism are death cults and have nothing to do with Islam
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Here is another example from the Reading that clearly shows sujud does not mean physical prostration.
Wad-qulul ba-ban suj-jadan. (25
And enter the gate consentingly (25There are such things as context and usage. Any particular word doesn't have a single absolute definition or a single usage.
For example, lets take the english word Run.
You can have run, ran, running, runner etc. None of these words are the same or have the exact same meaning but they have a similar "root" in English.
For context, the words could mean something physical, as actual movement or they can mean other things depending on usage and context. You can "run for Political Office". You can "make a run for it", or at it as in making an attempt at something. You can "run an errand". But there is no act of actually "running". You can "give a run for the money" as in taking your best shot at something. (and shot is not literal here either )
If one were to read an english scripture, for example, it wouldn't be reasonable or even logical to try to assign one singular, all encompassing definition to the word "run". One could easy pick any of the above examples of usage and say it "clearly" shows all other contexts and usages are mistaken because the definition and understanding wouldn't fit. For example, one could read a statement like, "He ran for political office", and then say "run" clearly does not mean a physical thing, but that wouldn't be correct at all.
Arabic is not any different. Words have different usages and contexts depending on how they are used and what the subject is. Your example above is that they are to enter the gates humbly. Prostration to God physically is an act of humility. It's just context and usage and we can't pigeon hole words with a singular definition. Just my opinions. )
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There are such things as context and usage. Any particular word doesn't have a single absolute definition or a single usage.
For example, lets take the english word Run.
You can have run, ran, running, runner etc. None of these words are the same or have the exact same meaning but they have a similar "root" in English.
For context, the words could mean something physical, as actual movement or they can mean other things depending on usage and context. You can "run for Political Office". You can "make a run for it", or at it as in making an attempt at something. You can "run an errand". But there is no act of actually "running". You can "give a run for the money" as in taking your best shot at something. (and shot is not literal here either )
If one were to read an english scripture, for example, it wouldn't be reasonable or even logical to try to assign one singular, all encompassing definition to the word "run". One could easy pick any of the above examples of usage and say it "clearly" shows all other contexts and usages are mistaken because the definition and understanding wouldn't fit. For example, one could read a statement like, "He ran for political office", and then say "run" clearly does not mean a physical thing, but that wouldn't be correct at all.
Arabic is not any different. Words have different usages and contexts depending on how they are used and what the subject is. Your example above is that they are to enter the gates humbly. Prostration to God physically is an act of humility. It's just context and usage and we can't pigeon hole words with a singular definition. Just my opinions. )
Good point. I noticed that about some who interpret the Koran linguistically is they do not look at the context the word appears in the Koran. The word Daraba is a very good example. Its has over 10 different usages in the Koran. We must look at context and see where else a similar topic is discussed in the Koran and not just try to interpret a word by its linguistic meaning.
There is more about the differences between the Karaites and Pharisees regarding prayer direction.
See Chapter 4.
http//books.google.ae/books?id=e9fnAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA31&lpg=PA31&dq=karaite+prayer+facing+jerusalem&source=bl&ots=YR45EajTt3&sig=2TTIyhKyoDa5HN4JlTkF8LgVpJY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-uK8T4qVCuGa1AXYlZEv&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=karaite%20prayer%20facing%20jerusalem&f=true
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Christianity and Judaism are death cults and have nothing to do with Islam
Your outlook on people is destructive and sad, to say the least. You truly do not understand the concept of 16125, 262, 319, 4914, 2946. Besides the different verses on ideology, let me just quote a bit on manners and debating etiquette
16125 Invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and good advice, and argue with them in the best possible manner. Your Lord is fully aware of who is misguided from His path, and He is fully aware of the guided ones.
16126 If you penalize, then punish with an equivalent punishment inflicted on you. If you show patience then it is better for the patient ones.
16127 Be patient, and your patience is only possible by God. Do not grieve for them, and do not be depressed by what they scheme.
16128 God is with the upright, and the benefactors.
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Your outlook on people is destructive and sad, to say the least. You truly do not understand the concept of 16125, 262, 319, 4914, 2946. Besides the different verses on ideology, let me just quote a bit on manners and debating etiquette
16125 Invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and good advice, and argue with them in the best possible manner. Your Lord is fully aware of who is misguided from His path, and He is fully aware of the guided ones.
16126 If you penalize, then punish with an equivalent punishment inflicted on you. If you show patience then it is better for the patient ones.
16127 Be patient, and your patience is only possible by God. Do not grieve for them, and do not be depressed by what they scheme.
16128 God is with the upright, and the benefactors.
Blah blah blah, I was just stating how history has proven both these religions. How are those verses you posted any relevant? The irony is high here, since it's you who understands nothing and takes verses ( with translations I don't even believe ) out of context
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Blah blah blah, I was just stating how history has proven both these religions. How are those verses you posted any relevant? The irony is high here, since it's you who understands nothing and takes verses ( with translations I don't even believe ) out of context
I dont want to say that you are the most rude and ignorant member here, because you are probably still young, just as I was when I started out here. But show a little respect, intelligence and maturity, kid. You think the many proponents of so-called "Islam" are any better then some Jews or Christians? There are good Christians and bad Christians, good "Muslims" and bad "Muslims" (I'm using quotation marks because the proper term in the Quran is "mumeen". If you have less hate and ignorance in your mind and, and were more open, it would be better. Perhaps then you could argue more reasonably and learn a lot more.
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Blah blah blah, I was just stating how history has proven both these religions. How are those verses you posted any relevant? The irony is high here, since it's you who understands nothing and takes verses ( with translations I don't even believe ) out of context
Invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and good advice, and argue with them with that which is better. Your Lord is fully aware of who is misguided from His path, and He is fully aware of the guided ones. (16125)
Not equal is the good and the bad response. You shall resort to one which is better. Thus, the one who used to be your enemy, may become your best friend. (4134)
Tell My servants to treat each other in the best possible manner, for the devil will always try to drive a wedge among them. Surely, the devil is man's most ardent enemy. (1753)Funny how in the Quran, those who acknowledge God do not respond with "blah blah blah" when their conduct is shown to be in error. They respond by hearing and obeying.
And those who when they are reminded of their Lord's verses, they do not fall on them deaf and blind. (2573)
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Peace and God bless, that was 3 years ago and you were 16 now you are 19. )
Haha yes D
Come a long way and will, go a lot further from here, God-willing. -
http//youtu.be/pXamneUaa50
Quite interesting!
Thank you -
)
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Peace everybody.
Regardless, timing, actions, words, claims for 396,...... now we live in such era with GPS and all other tools to find our direction
Any high school student knows that any sphere any size can have infinite center axis wich creates 2 points 180 degree apart from each other in all directions.
Simpler example is we can insert a Large Knitting Needles into any line splitting an orange in any direction which creates 2 points 180 degree apart from each other in infinite direction (Nano degrees )
The following image shows that person in city 180 degree apart of KabhaS !https//fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/394159_537189249641182_1715319254_n.jpg
Peace
i refresh the image was was corrupted but wonder this member which claims has PHD in mathematics and as far i have seen only manipulation of Miracle and not producing anything may knows the direction for prayer in the location showed on image . -
Peace,
How did this direction thing become so complicated?
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9604383.msg308307#msg308307
We have seen you turning your face about the sky. We now assign a Qiblah
that is pleasing to you. Henceforth, you shall turn your face towards the Sacred Masjid.
Wherever you may be, all of you shall turn your faces towards it. Those who received the
previous scripture know that this is the truth from their Lord. GOD is never unaware of
anything they do.Wherever you go, you shall turn your face towards the Sacred Masjid.
This is the truth from your Lord. GOD is never unaware of anything you all doWherever you go, you shall turn your face towards the Sacred
Masjid; wherever you might be, you shall turn your faces towards it. Thus,
the people will have no argument against you, except the transgressors among them.
Do not fear them, and fear Me instead. I will then perfect My blessings upon you, that
you may be guided.peace
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The real question is, which direction is your goal or focus towards?
2144 We see the shifting of your face towards the sky; We will thus set for you a focus/goal ("qiblah" that will be pleasing to you, "You shall set yourself towards "al masjid al haram"; and wherever you may be, you shall all set yourselves towards it." Those who have been given the book know it is the truth from their Lord. God is not oblivious of what you do.
2150 Wherever you go out, you shall set yourself towards "al masjid al haram". Wherever you may be, you shall set yourselves towards it; that the people will have no room for debate with you, except those of them who are wicked. You shall not fear them, but fear Me so that I may complete My blessings upon you and that you may be guided.
People should think less superficially and ritualistic and more in terms of meaning and purpose.
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The real question is, which direction is your goal or focus towards?
People should think less superficially and ritualistic and more in terms of meaning and purpose.Peace progressive1993,
God specifically states that we are to have rituals
These are rituals2/184 Yusuf Ali (Fasting) for a fixed number of days;.............................................
Once you complete your Contact Prayer, you shall remember GOD while
standing, sitting, or lying down.* Once the war is over, you shall observe the Contact
Prayers; the Contact Prayers are decreed for the believers at specific timesrit?u?al/rtul/ Show Spelled Show IPA
noun- an established or prescribed procedure for a religious or other rite.
God bless
peace