SPSA Church Giving (opens in a new tab)

Questions & Answers

Dancing

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Christian Living › Dancing

The question

What is your Grace's view regarding dancing and clapping during worship on Sunday? Some servants teach that this is an acceptable part of prayer, citing the example of King David dancing before the Ark of the Covenant (2 Sam 6:14).

The answer

I am surprised that servants would teach such ideas. King David's dancing before the Ark of Covenant was a one time special event of joy. Prayer is a conversation with God. Our attitude in prayer should be of humility standing before our Creator praising Him, in thanksgiving and asking Him to bless our lives. When our Lord prayed to His Father "He knelt down and prayed" (Luke 22:41). To pray with dancing and clapping may take away from our attentiveness to the Lord.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 1007 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.