On Bended Knee

Sunday, January 24, 2010

When is the last time you fell on your knees in prayer before God? How long were you able to bend down before him? One of the most heartwarming stories from the Haiti earthquake survivors comes from Mierielle Dittmer. Lying in a hospital bed in Boca Raton, Florida, Mierielle shared that when the earthquake struck, she was in a Haiti market. As concrete and rubble came tumbling down upon her, all she could do was fall on her knees to protect herself. And there she stayed for five days – 108 hours!

When asked by a TV reporter what kept her from going crazy, she responded without hesitation, “My faith in Jesus Christ. My faith in the Lord. I have a very strong faith.” With both legs scarred, bruised, and bandaged, she shared that she started reciting scripture from the Psalms to give her comfort. In front of a national viewing audience Mierielle proudly proclaimed, “I read my Bible everyday.” When those in the rubble with her gave in to despair, she encouraged, “Our faith will save us. Don’t give up!” She was the confident image of hope as she concluded, “Nothing is impossible.”

In biblical times to bend one’s knee before God was an act of worship. It was an act of humility and pure submission to fall on bended knee before God. Catholics genuflect or go down on one knee as a sign of genuine respect to God. Some of my earliest memories are of my parents at their bedside on bended knee in prayer. What a beautiful act of submission. Bending our knees in prayer is a sign that we are in humble service to the God we worship. When we bow before God, we acknowledge him as Lord and seek his guidance and wisdom.

The beautiful Christian song, “Bow the Knee,” reminds us to trust God even when there doesn’t seem to be an answer to our problems.
“And when you don’t understand the purpose of his plan,
In the presence of the King, bow the knee.”
(To view a dramatic music video of “Bow the Knee” by Paula Orr, go to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9z6l1PXsFE)

When we find ourselves in a crisis, do we, like Mierielle, fall on bended knee? Do we have a firm conviction that God is in control? Can we proclaim with boldness that we have faith in Jesus Christ?

When we are surrounded by the rubble of a life in ruins, let’s remember to bow the knee. When we are in the depths of depression, let’s remember to bow the knee. When we suffer a financial setback, let’s remember to bow the knee. When we deal with a family crisis, let’s remember to bow the knee. When we face an uncertain future, let’s remember to bow the knee.

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11