Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. (Psa 95:6 NKJ)

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, (Rev 5:8-9 NKJ)

Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever. (Rev 5:14 NKJ)

And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!” (Rev 19:4 NKJ)

One of the most annoying habits these days in Christian worship is the incessant hand clapping or as the worship leader will call for a ‘hand clap of praise,’ as if God needs my affirmation or that I might be pleased with what he has done or is doing. When I read scripture I find time and time again, the people of God bowing down in his presence.  It does not matter who they are. Nobody can consider themselves God’s equal. Even Jesus, Paul tells us, “who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” Only one angelic being thought that he could be equal with God or better still, to be the one receiving the worship, and what he had was taken away, and he was cast out of heaven.

The Elders in John’s Revelation, who are seen around the throne of God fall down and worship, pipto, to prostrate oneself, to go from a high position to a low position. John’s vision in Revelation 5:12 is of ‘ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands’ prostrate saying, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev 5:12 NKJ) Practice not too dissimilar to the Muslim practice of Salah.  It is a physical, mental, and spiritual act of worship that is observed five times every day at prescribed times. In this ritual, the worshiper starts standing, bows, prostrates, and concludes while sitting on the ground. During each posture, the worshiper recites or reads certain verses, phrases and prayers, which is “reverent petitions made to God.” For the Muslim, preparation by washing and dress are an important part of their call to prayer.

Perhaps God is calling up to worship in a more reverent manner? Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. (Psa 95:6 NKJ)