Why I Cover My Head When I Pray

A Reflection on 1 Corinthians 11

Hello dear sister in Christ,

At YorkU, we’re all navigating so much: courses, campus life, personal growth, and a desire to live with integrity in our walk with God. Somewhere along the way, you may have paused and wondered about this passage in the Bible:

“But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head...”
(1 Corinthians 11:5, KJV)

For many of us, it’s not something we grew up thinking deeply about. So when we hear it taught or read it in Scripture, it makes us ask, “What does this really mean?”

A Quiet, Sacred Symbol

What the Bible presents here is not a trend or tradition. It is a spiritual sign. A woman covering her head when she prays or prophesies is acknowledging something bigger than herself: God’s order and His presence.

Paul goes on to say:

“For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.”
(1 Corinthians 11:10)

There is something unseen and holy happening during worship. Angels are watching. God’s presence is near. The head covering becomes more than fabric. It becomes a symbol of reverence, a way of saying, “Lord, I recognize Your authority in this moment.”

Is This Just for Married Women?

It is easy to think so, especially when Paul mentions headship:

“The head of the woman is the man...” (v. 3)

But when we look closer, Paul does not limit this teaching to wives. He does not say “every wife.” He says “every woman.” And he roots his reasoning not in marriage or modern culture, but in the creation story. He points to the way God designed things from the very beginning (verses 8–9).

So this is not about who you are with, or your season in life. It is about your heart posture before God, no matter your status.

Hair, Beauty, and Worship

Paul also acknowledges that a woman’s hair is a glory to her:

“But If a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.” (v.15)

Hair is a gift, a personal crown. But in worship, we set aside even our glory to honour God's. Covering your head in prayer is like saying, “God, even the things I am proud of, I place under Your lordship.”

It is quiet. It is powerful. And it is deeply personal.

A Life of Prayer, A Heart Ready

Whether you are headed to class, stopping by Scott Library, or sitting quietly before God in your room, moments of prayer come throughout the day. Keeping a simple scarf with you is not about rules. It is about readiness. It is about saying yes to those sacred moments.

And when someone sees you and wonders why you pray this way, they may not need a sermon. Sometimes all it takes is your smile, your peace, and maybe a verse that gently points them to the same grace you have found in Scripture.

For our YorkU brothers in Christ, the reason you are not to cover your head while praying or ministering is clearly explained in Scripture: “Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head” (1 Corinthians 11:4).

With love,
The Lord’s Chosen at York University