A response to 5.6

Like Jesus Prayed

Al-Kadhi writes:

When a Muslim prays or thanks God he does so in the same fashion that was taught to Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and all of the previous prophets of Allah. You will find that when a Muslim prays he places his forehead on the ground in total submission to God Almighty. Let us see how the prophets (including Jesus, pbuh) prayed:

He then gives various examples of people in the Bible praying face to the ground, including Jesus (Matthew 26:39).

But Al-Kadhi only tells half the story! In the Bible we find Jesus praying in many other postures:

On his knees: "He (Jesus) withdrew about a stone's throw from them, knelt down and prayed." (Luke 22:41)

... while sitting with children: "Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them." (Matthew 19:13)

...while standing, and looking up: "So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me...'" (John 11:41)

...and looking up while at a meal (presumably sitting or reclining): "After Jesus said this, he looked towards heaven and prayed:" (John 17:1)

So how did Jesus pray? The answer, of course, is that he prayed in many ways. The physical posture is not important. What is important is having the right attitude towards God.

Which, of course, is what the Christian church teaches.


The Rebuttal to "What Did Jesus Really Say?"
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