Is There A Certain Posture In Praying?
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
God’s word commands us to pray (cf. Philippians 4:6; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18; 1 Timothy 2:1; 1 Timothy 5:5). In prayer, there is a recognition that one must approach the throne of God with reverence (Hebrews 12:28).
However, throughout the Bible, one will find several different postures assumed by those petitioning God. Obviously, if a man stands with clenched fists toward heaven, not saying anything, his physical bearing speaks loudly of defiance. Conversely, a man may stand with hands outstretched and by his stance speak of thankfulness for heaven’s blessings.
The question is, “Which posture is more acceptable?” Is the man who kneels, more reverent than the man who simply bows his head? Should we judge one Christian more spiritual, who kneels on both knees than another who merely bends one?
If this be the basis of acceptable prayer, should we deem the person prostrate on the ground more humble, and therefore require this posture as the proper one? Is there one stance which is required during public assembly prayer, but not for private prayer? All of the above thoughts raises the question, “Does God make His acceptance of our petitions to Him dependent on a particular posture?” To answer this question, let’s look at a few biblical examples of posture in prayer.
The Scriptures tell us that when our Lord prayed in the garden, He “fell on his face…” (Matthew 26:39). And when He taught about prayer, He said, “And when ye standpraying…” (Mark 11:25). In the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, Jesus depicts the humble, acceptable prayer of the Publican as he was “standing afar off….” (Luke 18:13).
The stance most commonly seen in the New Testament adopted by praying disciples waskneeling. In Acts 7:60, we see Stephen as he “kneeled down….” asking the Lord to forgive his persecutors.
We see Paul kneeling as he prayed with the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:36). Before Paul departed Tyre, the disciples and their families all “kneeled down on the shore and prayed” (Acts 21:5). However, the kneeling posture is not without exception, for Paul and Silas were bound in stocks (Acts 16:24), but their prayers were just as acceptable before God, though they did not kneel (Acts 16:25).
In this short study, we have seen that different physical postures are incidental to acceptable praying. God does not make one stance or posture an essential prerequisite to prayer’s acceptance.
Even in our Lord’s model prayer, the emphasis is attitude of heart, rather than correct physical posture (Matthew 6:5-15). To make one posture the only authorized posture, is to misunderstand the application of Scripture and make law where God has not.
However, spiritually speaking, our correct “posture” (attitude of mind) towards prayer should always be “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17; cf. Ephesians 6:18).