This is a verse of Ifa from Ogbe Ate ( ogbe irete ) tell us why we prostrate: (lay flat on the ground) before Ifa:
Ope ja suuru kanle
Dia fun Orunmila
To ji l’owuro kutukutu
Ti nsunkun oju oun o kan’re
Ebo ni won ni ko waa se
O gb’ebo, O ru’bo
Nje aje lo wu mi mo wole Ifa
Mariwo Ope ja suuru kanle
Iwo l’Awo ojumo ire o
Aya/Oko ire lo wu mi mo wole Ifa
Mariwo Ope ja suuru kanle
Iwo l’Awo ojumo ire o
Omo ire lo wu mi mo wole Ifa
Mariwo Ope ja suuru kanle
Iwo l’Awo ojumo ire o
Ire gbogbo lo wu mi mo wole Ifa
Mariwo Ope ja suuru kanle
Iwo l’Awo ojumo ire o
Translation:
The palm-frond broke and dived straight to the ground
This was Ifa’s message for Orunmila
When he woke up early in the morning
And was weeping his inability to sight any ire of life
He was advised to offer ebo
He complied
I want wealth and I prostrate myself for Ifa
Mariwo Ope ja suuru kanle
You are the Awo of a marvelous dawn
I need a good spouse and I prostrate myself for Ifa
Mariwo Ope ja suuru kanle
You are the Awo of a marvelous dawn
I crave for good children and I prostrate myself for Ifa
Mariwo Ope ja suuru kanle
You are the Awo of a marvelous dawn
I pray for all ire of life and I lie flat for Ifa
Mariwo Ope ja suuru kanle
You are the Awo of a marvelous dawn
We are all praying for all blessings in life as we all lay flat on the ground, may we all see the blessings of Olodumare. Ase o