Leah Grace (Disclaimer: I am part of the Amazon Associate’s Program, which means that if you use an Amazon link I provide and make a purchase, I get a small percent of that and it doesn’t cost you any extra! Any link in this post that has * by it means it’s one of these links.)
For a while, I’ve wanted to share about headcovering. This is just my personal testimony & story.
Growing up, no one in my family headcovered, but in 2021, my parents decided to reread the Bible and just take it for what it says. As they began looking at 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 they realized that they had just discarded this section because it had been taught to them as cultural and not as a practice.
(This is the NASB1995 version.)
Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head. For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake. Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God. Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her for a covering. But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God.
After praying about it and getting clear conviction from the Holy Spirit, they decided that my mom and I were going to head cover. I was 12 years old when my mom shared that with me. We ordered headbands from Amazon, and that was our start!
Why I believe in wearing a physical headcovering
Over time, I got more comfortable with headcovering. It became like a second nature to me, and I realized that it’s actually quite simple and is very logical. Here are some of the things that helped me with this:
1 Corinthians 11:6 says, “For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head.”
To me, it makes complete sense. Either cut your hair off (which is disgraceful), or cover your head.
Also, we need to follow this thought process through. If hair is the covering that Paul is talking about, what do we say about verses 4 and 7?
“(4) Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head.… (7) For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.”
Does this mean that a man needs to shave his head every time he prays or prophesies? That’s something worth considering.
For the sake of the angels
And then, there’s verse 10: “Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.”
There is much speculation about the meaning of this verse, and to be quite frank, I really don’t know what “because of the angels” means.
I do know that Paul wasn’t telling the women to cover their heads because it was cultural, people would think they were prostitutes if they didn’t, or that they were shaving their heads to take leadership in church positions. I’ve heard all of this, but Paul himself answers the question of “why.”
Because of the angels.
(Also, I don’t need much convincing to wear a symbol of authority on my head. That sounds great to me, and if the angels have got anything to do with it, then that’s even better! 😂)
Perhaps women covering their heads is a picture of proper order, submission, and letting the men lead. That is by no means belittling to us as women, but rather, a symbol of authority! In Christ, there is neither male nor female, so we all have equal value, potential, and purpose. It’s just that our roles are different.
(Some passages on the role of women & wives are 1 Peter 3:1-7, 1 Timothy 2:12, 1 Corinthians 14:34, and Ephesians 5:22-29, to list a few.)
Whatever the reason is for headcovering, we can know that everything God tells us to do is for our own good and His glory. You can’t go wrong when you’re doing what He says!
How often I cover my head
Many women cover their heads differently, and I want to share what my mom and I do!
My conviction is that women only have to cover their heads when praying or prophesying (1 Cor. 11:6). I also want to mention that since prophesying is speaking God’s words, I believe that declaring the Scriptures is prophecy!
Because of this, I don’t believe that we need to cover our heads at every waking moment. However, I do pray a lot throughout the day, so my head is usually covered from the time I have my quiet time, to when I go to bed. Again, that’s only because I pray frequently and don’t like always looking around for a headcover before I pray! Even so, I know that God still hears me if I pray with my head uncovered—I just like to stick with the instructions that the Scriptures give us.
How much of my head I cover
I usually try to cover most of my head, but I don’t stress about covering all of it. Also, I don’t have any convictions about covering my hair, although oftentimes I wear it up when I’m in public, since I don’t like the attention it brings me (it’s thick and curly).
Bandanas are a frequent go-to for me, since they’re super comfortable and versatile! I’ve also gotten headcovers from Garlands of Grace and Natural Life, although *these Amazon bandanas are my all time favorite!
Here are a few of the head covering styles I enjoy.
I love this scarf style! I think it’s super fun & cute, especially if you have long hair. (Also the lighting is so weird in this photo—my eyes literally look like they’re black 🤣)
At the end of the day, how, why, and if you headcover is completely between you and God! I just wanted to share my own story & some thoughts on the matter, and leave it at that. (:
I enjoyed reading your testimony, Grace! God bless you as you continue to honor His Word out of love for Him!
Thank you very much (:
This is so well done and honoring to God in its calm and loving manner, Leah!!!! It’s so thoughtful to lay it out and show so much of how you head cover. Great post.
Thanks Eliza! That’s how I hoped this post would come across. 💖