The bow to the ground is the prostration. To me this is one of the awesome times when the Body of Christ present in the Church become prostrate before God. How our Lord must rejoice at our desire for humilty and repentance.
The Prayer of St Ephrem the Syrian
O Lord and master of my life! Grant that I may not be infected with the spirit of slothfulness and inquisitiveness, with the spirit of ambition and vain talking. (Bow to the ground)
Grant instead to me your servant the spirit of purity and humility, the spirit of patience and neighborly love. (Bow to the ground)
O Lord and King! Bestow upon me the grace of being aware of my sins and of not thinking evil of those of my brethren; for you are blessed forever and ever. Amen. (Bow to the ground)
O God, have mercy on me a sinner. (12 times with small bows)
(Then again, with one bow to the ground) Yes, O Lord and King, bestow upon me the grace of being aware of my sins and of not thinking evil of those of my brethren; for you are blessed forever and ever. Amen.
