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The praying mantis is so called from the attitude which it assumes when it is watching for its prey. These insects are extremely voracious.

Praying Mantis

The praying mantis is so called from the attitude which it assumes when it is watching for its prey.…

Pilgrims praying.

First Sabbath Service of the Pilgrims

Pilgrims praying.

Young boy kneeling.

Praying boy

Young boy kneeling.

The last appearance of the sangreal.

Sangreal

The last appearance of the sangreal.

Grey nun praying during the American Revolution.

Grey Nun

Grey nun praying during the American Revolution.

"The Mantis is one of the most voracious of its class, and only assumes this solemn and devout appearance for the beguilement of its unsuspecting victims; it is also exceedingly quarrelsome.: — Goodrich, 1859

Praying Mantis

"The Mantis is one of the most voracious of its class, and only assumes this solemn and devout appearance…

A genus of locusts remarkable for their form. They are widely distributed in the United States and Eurasia. These insects include several species, most of which are noted for the large spinous forelegs, which appear as if folded for prayer when waiting for the insect prey.

Mantis

A genus of locusts remarkable for their form. They are widely distributed in the United States and Eurasia.…

The crew of a naval ship in the Revolutionary War praying before they head in to battle.

Before Battle Prayer

The crew of a naval ship in the Revolutionary War praying before they head in to battle.

"Probably no other insect has been the subject of so many and widespread legends and superstitions as the common "praying mantis," Mantis religiosa. The ancient Greeks endowed it with supernatural powers; the Turks and Arabs hold that it prays constantly with its face turned towards the mecca; the Provencals call it Prega-Diou; and numerous more or less similar names —preacher, saint, nun, medicant, soothsayer, etc., widely diffused throughout southern Europe. Children ask it to show them the way, and Mouffet assures us that it rarely or never deceives them; and it is even recorded that one specimen, which aligted on the hand of St. Francis Xavier, and which he commanded to sing the praise of God, loudly intoned a very beautiful canticle." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1903

Praying Mantis

"Probably no other insect has been the subject of so many and widespread legends and superstitions as…

Stagmomantis Carolina, the female.

Carolina Mantis

Stagmomantis Carolina, the female.

Stagmomantis Carolina, the male.

Carolina Mantis

Stagmomantis Carolina, the male.

Egg masses of Stagmomantis Carolina.

Eggs

Egg masses of Stagmomantis Carolina.

"Place the palms of the hands together in front of the breast and press hard." -Foster, 1921

Exercise

"Place the palms of the hands together in front of the breast and press hard." -Foster, 1921

The muezzin leading the Islamic call to prayer.

Muezzin

The muezzin leading the Islamic call to prayer.

"The Nativity. By Albrecht Dürer. From the engraving on copper." -Heath, 1901

The Nativity

"The Nativity. By Albrecht Dürer. From the engraving on copper." -Heath, 1901

"The Trinity. By Albrect Dürer. In the Belvedere, Vienna.'" -Heath, 1901

The Trinity

"The Trinity. By Albrect Dürer. In the Belvedere, Vienna.'" -Heath, 1901

This diagram is of two hands pressed together to form a praying position.

Praying Positioned Hands

This diagram is of two hands pressed together to form a praying position.

A print from the engraving, The Death of the Virgin, from a Missal published by Simon Vostre.

The Death of the Virgin

A print from the engraving, The Death of the Virgin, from a Missal published by Simon Vostre.

The Happiness of the Godly, from Hans Holbein's series of engravings known as his Bible Cuts.

The Happiness of the Godly

The Happiness of the Godly, from Hans Holbein's series of engravings known as his Bible Cuts.

The engraving, "Elizabetha Regina (From 'A Booke of Christian Prayers.' Printed by John Daye, London, 1569.)." -Cundall, 1895

Elizabetha Regina

The engraving, "Elizabetha Regina (From 'A Booke of Christian Prayers.' Printed by John Daye, London,…

"And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him." Mark 14:32-35 KJV

Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane

"And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while…

"The male figure is that of Sir John de Weston, of Weston-Lizars, in Staffordshire, and Isabel his wife, whose paternal name was Bromley. In three quarterfoils beneath the figures are shields: the first contains the arms of Weston, sable, and eagle displayed or, with a lable argent, fretty gules; the centre shield is argent, fretty gules; that under the lady is formed entirely of the colours of her arms disposed quarterly, and parted horizontally, or fessways, by the line dancette." -Hall, 1862

Weston Coat of Arms

"The male figure is that of Sir John de Weston, of Weston-Lizars, in Staffordshire, and Isabel his wife,…

The morning prayer sculpture was sculpted by Italian artist Puttinati. It depicts a woman kneeling and praying.

Morning Prayer Sculpture

The morning prayer sculpture was sculpted by Italian artist Puttinati. It depicts a woman kneeling and…

The morning prayer sculpture depicts a woman praying.

Morning Prayer Sculpture

The morning prayer sculpture depicts a woman praying.

Mantis shrimp or stomatopods are marine crustaceans, the members of the order Stomatopoda. They are neither shrimp nor mantids, but receive their name purely from the physical resemblance to both the terrestrial praying mantis and the shrimp.

Mantis Shrimp

Mantis shrimp or stomatopods are marine crustaceans, the members of the order Stomatopoda. They are…

Mantodea or mantises is an order of insects which contains approximately 2,200 species in 9 families worldwide in temperate and tropical habitats.

Praying Mantis

Mantodea or mantises is an order of insects which contains approximately 2,200 species in 9 families…

The Nun is a print that was designed by German artist Hans Holbein in 1538. It is part of a series called the "Dance of Death". It depicts a nun that has admitted her lover into her apartment while praying, death extinguishes the candles on the altar signifying the punishment of unlawful love.

The Nun

The Nun is a print that was designed by German artist Hans Holbein in 1538. It is part of a series called…

An illustration of a gravestone with a man and woman carved on it. They are both facing each other and kneeling in front of an altar praying.

Man and Woman on a Gravestone

An illustration of a gravestone with a man and woman carved on it. They are both facing each other and…

An old woman appears to be praying for someone she holds in her arms. A crucifix hangs on the wall over the bed.

Woman Praying

An old woman appears to be praying for someone she holds in her arms. A crucifix hangs on the wall over…

A robed man praying in a church.

Praying Man

A robed man praying in a church.

A girl is kneeling by her bed in prayer.

Girl Praying

A girl is kneeling by her bed in prayer.

"And when they came to the gate of the city, they found Ozias, and the ancients of the city waiting. And when they saw her they were astonished, and admired her beauty exceedingly. But they asked her no question, only they let her pass, saying: The God of our fathers give thee grace, and may he strengthen all the counsel of thy heart with his power, that Jerusalem may glory in thee, and thy name may be in the number of the holy and just. And they that were there said, all with one voice: So be it, so be it. But Judith praying to the Lord, passed through the gates, she and her maid." Judith 10:6-10 DRA <p>Judith adorns herself and passes through the city gates on her way to meet Holofernes, whom she beheads.

Judith Passes Through the City Gates

"And when they came to the gate of the city, they found Ozias, and the ancients of the city waiting.…

"But Holofernes lay on his bed, fast asleep, being exceedingly drunk. And Judith spoke to her maid to stand without before the chamber, and to watch: And Judith stood before the bed praying with tears, and the motion of her lips in silence, Saying: Strengthen me, O Lord God of Israel, and in this hour look on the works of my hands, that as thou hast promised, thou mayst raise up Jerusalem thy city: and that I may bring to pass that which I have purposed, having a belief that it might be done by thee. And when she had said this, she went to the pillar that was at his bed's head, and loosed his sword that hung tied upon it. And when she had drawn it out, she took him by the hair of his head, and said: Strengthen me, O Lord God, at this hour." Judith 13:4-9 DRA <p>Having taken Holofernes' sword in hand, Judith stands by his bed before she beheads him. Her maid acts as lookout.

Judith Prepares to Behead Holofernes

"But Holofernes lay on his bed, fast asleep, being exceedingly drunk. And Judith spoke to her maid to…

"And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up into the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became white and dazzling. And behold, there talked with him two men, who were Moses and Elijah...." Luke 9:28-30 <p>Illustration of Jesus standing with Moses on his right and Elijah on his left. One disciple lies prostrate at Jesus' feet and two others are on the ground leaning away from him. Jesus' hands are raised and he is glowing.

The Transfiguration of Jesus on a Mountain with Peter, James, and John

"And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter and John and…

"Then the fire of Jehovah fell, and consumed the burnt-offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, Jehovah, he is God; Jehovah, he is God." I Kings 18:38-39 ASV <p>Illustration of Elijah kneeling before the altar, surrounded by a trench as the people kneel and praise God. The altar has a bull on top of it and it is on fire. Flames shoot down from heaven.

Elijah Praying to God to Set Fire to His Altar in Front of the Prophets of Baal

"Then the fire of Jehovah fell, and consumed the burnt-offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the…

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus." Luke 1:26-31 KJV <p>Illustration of the Virgin Mary praying at an altar in her room as the archangel Gabriel approaches her to tell her she will give birth to Jesus. Gabriel is knelt on a cloud, his left arm raised. He is holding an olive branch. Above Mary's head, a dove is flying out of a cloud and a shaft of light glows down on Mary's head. A vase with lilies in it sits on the floor.

The Annunciation - the Angel Gabriel Approaches Mary while She is Praying

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,…

"for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the waters stepped in was made whole, with whatsoever disease he was holden. And a certain man was there, who had been thirty and eight years in his infirmity. When Jesus saw him lying, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wouldest thou be made whole?" John 5:4-6 ASV <p>Illustration of Jesus healing a man in one of the five porches at the pool at Bethesda. The lame man is reclining and Jesus is praying over him. Several men, including disciples, stand around and watch the healing. On the other side of a wall, the pool is visible and an angel is hovering over it and reaching a staff down into the waters. A woman with a child waits near the pool. A man walking with crutches wades into the pool. A woman places a baby into the pool in the background.

Jesus Heals a Paralytic Man at the Pool at Bethesda While an Angel Troubles the Waters

"for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever…

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican." Luke 18:10 ASV <p>Illustration of a Pharisee and a publican, also referred to as a tax collector, praying in the temple. The Pharisee is dressed in full priestly costume and robes. He is standing behind the veil, within the room that holds the menorah and incense altar, and praying with his head up and chest out. The publican stands outside of the main room, head bowed, staff in hand.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, or the Tax Collector

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican." Luke 18:10…

"39 And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?" Matthew 26:39-40 ASV <p>Illustration of Jesus praying, on his knees, hands clasped, as an angel emerges from the clouds, carrying the cross. Peter, James, and John are sleeping nearby. Soldiers are marching out of the city gate, towards the garden, in the background.

Jesus Prays in the Garden of Gethsemane - Peter, James, and John Fall Asleep

"39 And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible,…

"And the jailor, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. And he called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:27-30 ASV <p>Illustration of the jailer kneeling on one knee at Paul's feet in the jail. Paul stands above him with arms open and Silas is sitting on a bench leaning toward and reaching out for the jailer. A lamp is burning on the ground next to the jailer's sword. The door to the jail is in the corner.

Paul and Silas in Jail - the Jailer Kneels Before Paul

"And the jailor, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was…

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get. But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner." Luke 18:10-13 <p>Illustration of two men, one a Pharisee and one a publican, praying in the temple. The Pharisee on the right is standing, while the publican on the left kneels and bows on the steps. Incense burns in a large container behind them.

A Pharisee and a Publican Pray in the Temple

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee…

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get. But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner." Luke 18:10-13 <p>Illustration of two men, one a Pharisee and one a publican, praying on the steps of the temple. The Pharisee in front is standing, while the publican behind him kneels and bows on the steps, arms folded on his chest. Incense burns in a large container behind them.

A Pharisee and a Publican Praying on the Steps of the Temple

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee…