I GET ON MY KNEES AND PRAY BOY SERIES

вЂњChristian prayer is an expression of a confident, intimate relationship with God.вЂќ For Hasan, the set of movements are an empty shell symbolizing Islam and their former spiritual death. While these physical postures are not inherently wrong as physical expressions of worship, most Muslim-background Christians, like my friend Hasan,* wisely reject the structure of the salat when they believe in Jesus. Using a variety of physical postures to express our hearts to the Lord has been used by GodвЂ™s people since the beginning. 2:8), lifted eyes (John 11:41 Luke 9:16), and lifted voices (Ps. ItвЂ™s important to remember that the Bible records a variety of ways GodвЂ™s people approach him in prayer, including bowing (Ex. Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration.вЂќДЄ young Ghanaian girl resumes a sitting posture during her prayers. You see them bowing and prostrating, seeking bounty from Allah and pleasure. The QuвЂ™ran describes some of these postures in surah 48:49, вЂњMuhammad is the Messenger of Allah and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. A variety of statements and prayers are recited throughout the movements, with вЂњAllah is greatвЂќ recited before each new movement. The cycles vary slightly throughout the day but always include standing, bowing, and prostrating oneself.

I GET ON MY KNEES AND PRAY BOY SERIES

This means that millions of people around the world pray to Allah in a language they do not know.Дuring salat, a Muslim recites prayers and completes movements in a series of cycles called rakвЂ™a. Although the majority of the global Muslim population lives outside the Middle East and doesnвЂ™t speak Arabic, the ritual prayers and recitations of salat must be performed in Arabic. Then they make a nonverbal intention called a niyyah, which is supposed to focus the heart in sincere worship instead of meaningless outward actions.ДЄfter cleansing and focusing their intention, a Muslim is finally ready to pray. Photo from the IMB Photo Library.ДЄs a Muslim starts their prayer ritual, they face the direction toward the sacred structure called the Kaaba in Saudi Arabia, a symbol of IslamвЂ™s monotheism that unites Muslims around the world as they pray. Women gather in a designated section for Friday prayers at Masjid Istiqlal, the largest mosque in southeast Asia, located in Jakarta. When not at a mosque for prayers, Muslims sometimes use a prayer rug to create a clean space for prayer. In my experience living overseas, IвЂ™ve seen Muslims perform their ritual prayers in homes, public parks, and airport gates. Prayer at mosques is encouraged but not required. Although children are not required to perform ritual prayers until they come of age, salat is encouraged after the age of seven. In Islam, this call to prayer should be the first words a newborn hears whispered in their ear. Listen to the Call to Prayer in Doha, Qatar I testify that Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah. I testify that there is no god but Allah. Millions of Muslims around the world hear one unifying message: вЂњAllah is great. A good Muslim performs the ritual prayers-the pillar of salat-five times a day: before sunrise, around noon, late afternoon, after sunset, and in the late evening.ДЄround the world, men called muezzins summon the faithful to prayer from the local mosque or over the radio or television. Her prayer ritual-so abruptly interrupting our visit-was in accordance to the dictates of Islam, which outline five pillars to be followed in submission to Allah. Left to wait for her to finish, I felt awkward in that moment and had so many questions about Muslim prayer and what my appropriate response should be. She pulled a long skirt over her slacks and grabbed a headscarf as she stepped away to perform her ritual Islamic prayers: a set series of postures and recitations performed while facing toward Mecca, Saudi Arabia. We were in the middle of a visit when my friend got up and left me sitting alone.

I get on my knees and pray boy