WHAT SHOULD BE OUR POSTURE WHEN WE PRAY?

What Should be Our Posture When We Pray?

by Janis Cox

Prayer
Kneeling to Pray

 

Sitting to Pray
Sitting to Pray

 

Standing to Pray
Standing to Pray

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basically we have to be in some posture to pray –

“It is not possible for you to do a spiritual thing without doing a physical thing, and it is not possible for you to do a physical thing without doing a spiritual thing” (Rev. Ken Collins).

Standing:

If we check out Scripture we find Jehoshaphat speaking to God while standing.

“Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard” (2 Chronicles 20:5, NIV).

Jesus mentions praying while standing to His disciples.

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins” (Mark 11:25, NIV),

When I am walking in the house, standing while blow drying my hair, walking outdoors – I can pray free flowing prayers. To me it is more like talking to a friend when I stand to pray. And when I dance or sing – I worship in prayer standing and moving.

Sitting or Lying Down:

According to Rev. Collins’ article we started sitting to pray when pews were invented in the Middle Ages.

When I sit to pray or lie down I associate a close link with God – I am comfortable, and longing for Him. This is my time to meditate on all His attributes before I start to pray. I can also listen to God the best in this position. I think because I have slowed down my body, my mind can quieten and listen to God.

Kneeling or Bowed Down:

There are many Scriptures where people are kneeling in prayer.

Paul is praying for the Ephesians and kneels to do so:

“For this reason I kneel before the Father” (Ephesians 3:14, NIV).

After talking to His disciples about temptation, Jesus kneels and asks to not be led into temptation:

“He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed” (Luke 22:41, NIV).

I find that I pray every morning on my knees as I petition for my family. I feel a deep respect in this position for the Lord’s power and strength.

These are my thoughts on positions for prayer. Have you any other ideas? Thoughts?

What is most important is that we do talk to God.(tweet this)

So whatever position you are in – talk to Him.

Janis Cox

Janis Cox - Author and Illustrator

Janis, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number of articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters. Janis has completed a children’s book called Tadeo Turtle. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. Word Alive has published Tadeo Turtle. See more information at Janis’s Website.

Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmail

1 comment

I love to connect with you.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

%d