Faith

Prayers Are Uttered in Outer Space, Too

Prayers Are Uttered in Outer Space, TooIt’s common for people who believe in the power of prayer to call out to God in times of suffering, moments of excitement and during experiences that create fear or anxiety. Considering the wide array of situations in which prayers are invoked, it should be no surprise that for among astronauts who are venturing into the unknown, prayer is a common occurrence.

In a new CNN article entitled, “The Surprising History of Prayer in Space,” Thom Patterson writes about the rich — yet surprising — history that human beings have with prayer in orbit. It all began in 1968 when the crew of Apollo 8 became the first individuals to orbit the moon and read from the Bible (Genesis) during a live television broadcast to Earth (an atheist later sued NASA for allegedly violating the separation of church and state; the Supreme Court refused to hear the case). CNN continues:

Apollo 11 Col. Buzz Aldrin becomes the only person ever to receive Roman Catholic communion on the moon. He administers the sacrament himself while inside the lunar landing vehicle. Shortly afterward, Aldrin becomes the second human to set foot on the moon.

Watch and listen to the Genesis reading below:

In 2005, Eileen Collins of the shuttle Discovery was likely feeling plenty of angst. She was commanding the first mission following 2003′s deadly Columbia disaster. She, too, said a prayer — this time for the seven Columbia crew members who perished during the tragedy.

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, a Muslim cosmonaut, prayed regularly aboard the International Space Station when ventured there for an 11-day stay. According to CNN:

Because the orbiting outpost goes through several “sunrises” daily, Islamic scholars must determine special rules regarding how to face Mecca and how many times to pray each day.

Below, watch for more information on his prayer experience:

And, last but not least, this past March, Col. Eric Boe — the pilot of Discovery — led his team of astronauts in prayer before the group lifted off for its final mission.

Thus, prayer is an integral part of the lives of some astronauts. These brave individuals rely on their faith in space just as they would on Earth.

Comments (67)

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  • Banjo Bulldog
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:44pm

    Actually it’s not okay

    Report Post » Banjo Bulldog  
  • Eliasim
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:40pm

    Alright I see, people pray in space which is no surprise since God is everywhere, unless of course if you are a Muslim and then apparently God is only in Mecca.

    Report Post »  
    • GETLIFE
      Posted on July 8, 2011 at 6:05am

      ” Alright I see, people pray in space which is no surprise since God is everywhere, unless of course if you are a Muslim and then apparently God is only in Mecca.” — ELIASIM

      You said it better than I!

      Kind of reminds me of “the world is flat” idea.

      Report Post » GETLIFE  
    • syildirim
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 9:39am

      The Qoran does not say so:

      “The east and the west belongs to Allah. So wherever you turn, there is Allah’s face. For Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.” (Baqara 2:115)

      Report Post »  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:31pm

    While Genesis might of been appropriate in space in 1968, I think this passage is more important to us now: 2 Chronicles 7:14

    New International Version (NIV)

    14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

    Report Post »  
  • Aerocog
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:26pm

    Apollo 8 message is the coolest.

    Report Post »  
  • CatB
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:25pm

    From High Flight by John Gillespie Magee, Jr

    “I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
    Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
    And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
    The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
    Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.”

    For the complete text go to

    http://www.skygod.com/quotes/highflight.html

    Why would we be surprised that humans would pray in space .. closer to God?

    Report Post »  
  • conservativeBC
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:12pm

    Bachmann Spanks Palin In Bill O’Reilly Poll

    Yep, Michele thumped her pretty good, and the disturbingly obsessed over at conservatives4palin are throwing mouth frothing fit.

    http://thebachmanncometh.blogspot.com/2011/07/bachmann-spanks-palin-in-bill-oreilly.html

    Report Post » conservativeBC  
    • ronmorgen
      Posted on July 7, 2011 at 11:17pm

      In my opinion Michele has a better mind than Sarah Palin, but I love them both because they both say what I would say. But Bachmann is also strong like a man.

      Report Post » ronmorgen  
  • TheGreyPiper
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 9:55pm

    BRICKMOON A reminder to pray throughout the upcoming election year.

    ****

    Lord, never would I call down ill will or pray for evil or disaster to fall upon any human being. But please be sure to lend Michelle Obama courage and strength to endure as a widow.

    Report Post » TheGreyPiper  
  • ronmorgen
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 9:53pm

    How can you not pray in outer space?

    Report Post » ronmorgen  
  • JUSTANOTHEROPINION
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 9:50pm

    If it were not for the belief in God, we would not be a nation much less a free nation! Take heed all ye non believers for your day of judgement will come.

    Report Post »  
  • sooner12
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 9:28pm

    I hope that atheist who sued all the way to the Supreme Court spent his life savings getting there.

    Report Post »  
  • ritualrites
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 9:10pm

    nearer my God to thee nearer to thee. My song shall ever be NEARER TO THEE !!!!!!! I’m sad that Obama has sold out the space program.

    Report Post »  
    • Patriot Z
      Posted on July 7, 2011 at 9:28pm

      nah je sold out the govt nonsense. now its time to have private take over…:0) I get to be han solo…i called it!

      Report Post » Patriot Z  
  • Aiser
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 9:06pm

    This is actually an important piece of history to take in of recent times. During the Cold War the first human to travel in orbit was Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. During in orbit he supposedly uttered the words “I see no God up here”. When we landed on the moon our American astronauts countered by saying “God is much bigger then we though”. =)

    Report Post » Aiser  
  • REDBLOODEDHUSKER
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 9:01pm

    You mean to tell me that astronauts (essentially space scientists) strongly rely on GOD? I thought the scientific community believed GOD and heaven to be a “fairly tale” as hawking put it.

    Kidding aside, I envy these brave people for what they get to experience and the work that they do. They sacrifice a lot in terms of family to be able to go into space. I would love to visit there as well.

    “When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” – Leonardo da Vinci

    Report Post »  
  • likwidlizard
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 9:01pm

    This is heart warming. now some athiest but Islamic liberal progressive democrap will try to completely shut down NASA and it’s programs. Shhhh-I hear Obama tip toeing nearby.

    Report Post » likwidlizard  
  • Sound The Trumpet In Zion
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 8:56pm

    I don’t know why the muslim prayed in space. He was further away from his god. satan is in hell not in the heavens and so it would be difficult to hear his prayer from further away.

    Report Post » Sound The Trumpet In Zion  
    • The Noodle Fish
      Posted on July 8, 2011 at 5:33am

      whatever happened to religious tolerance and religious freedom? Look at you… saying that Muslims pray to satan… it all makes me a bit sick. I feel like praying for a poor soul like you. God have pity on your bigoted heart…

      Report Post » The Noodle Fish  
  • brickmoon
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 8:51pm

    “It’s common for people who believe in the power of prayer to call out to God in times of suffering…and during experiences that create fear or anxiety.”

    A reminder to pray throughout the upcoming election year.

    Report Post » brickmoon  
  • Sy Kosys
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 8:50pm

    “Because the orbiting outpost goes through several “sunrises” daily, Islamic scholars must determine special rules regarding how to face Mecca and how many times to pray each day.”

    Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ? Dont even know where to begin with this….or how to take it

    Report Post » Sy Kosys  
  • Centurion_
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 8:50pm

    Frankly, I am a little perplexed as to why the ACLU hasn’t weighed in on this.

    Report Post » Centurion_  
    • Veritas
      Posted on July 7, 2011 at 9:05pm

      Did you not read that an atheist tried to sue and the SCOTUS would not hear the case? I would guess they know it would be a non starter!

      Report Post » Veritas  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 8:36pm

    I pray in airplanes; God knows I‘d be prayin’ in space!

    Report Post »  
  • Joshua7
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 8:36pm

    I can‘t imagine being one of the very few people to comunicate with a God in a part of his creation that not to long ago nobody was sure we’d be able to get to.

    Report Post » Joshua7  
  • dontbotherme
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 8:33pm

    And God said it was good. I find myself crying a little. Must have faith & follow the Lord God & we will make it through anything.

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 8:31pm

    I wish it were easy for people to travel in space and lower earth orbits, I would love to be able to go on such a trip for even a short time, and for one time to truly understand what it means to be ‘free floating among the stars’ – such as it would be.

    Power of Faith, Prayer, Courage, and practiced skills honed to a razors edge brought many of them home safely. Apollo 13 being one of the most obvious, and I recall Neil Armstrong on one Gemenii flight running into a out of control spinning of his craft while performing a practice docking maneuver.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • shirelover
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 8:29pm

    I am not surprised there is prayer in space. I can only imagine what space would look like, how vast and beautiful. Such beauty would beg any believer to praise God.

    Report Post » shirelover  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 8:26pm

    Cool, this is one part of history I wished had been commented upon many years ago; it adds a even more human touch to the stories of the astronauts and their achievements.
    http://artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (new art added)

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • nomercy63
    Posted on July 7, 2011 at 8:22pm

    Ok and the point is?????

    Report Post »  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on July 7, 2011 at 8:39pm

      I wonder… Do they feel closer to GOD in space than we do here on Earth?

      Report Post » banjarmon  
    • Patriot Z
      Posted on July 7, 2011 at 9:15pm

      the point is that even modern scholars and some of the most scientific people on earth believe in GOD. Too often athiests want to make anyone who believes in gods out as backward, ignorant hillbillies that are incapapble of any rational thought. this article is meant to show how not true that is. Even I as an athiest notice how often people of faith(usually just christians) are ridiculed as ignorant.

      Report Post » Patriot Z  
    • beverlee
      Posted on July 7, 2011 at 9:56pm

      More people believe in prayer than progressivism…that’s the point.

      Report Post » beverlee  
    • Nigel2
      Posted on July 8, 2011 at 4:40am

      <>”"??

      That there is prayer in space. Hope this helped.

      Report Post » Nigel2  
    • GETLIFE
      Posted on July 8, 2011 at 4:57am

      “Because the orbiting outpost goes through several “sunrises” daily, Islamic scholars must determine special rules regarding how to face Mecca and how many times to pray each day.”

      I now have a new-found respect for these brilliant Islamic scholars.
      :D :D :D !!!!!

      Report Post » GETLIFE  
    • The Noodle Fish
      Posted on July 8, 2011 at 5:30am

      If a prayer is uttered in space, does God hear it?

      Report Post » The Noodle Fish  
    • Melvin Spittle
      Posted on July 8, 2011 at 10:00am

      @nomercy63 “Ok and the point is?????”

      Ok. Let me get some crayons and draw you a picture. Though I have not been in orbit or to the moon, I would imagine that when I look into the night sky how awesome God is. To go into space would leave me speechless as I am reminded at how little I know and how great God is.

      Report Post » Melvin Spittle  
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