Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that the primary consideration regarding prayer is not the physical position of the body, but the "posture" (that is, the attitude) of the metaphorical heart (that is, the mind and thoughts).

Kneeling or lying prostrate have come to be associated with prayer as a position indicating repentance, submission, or entreaty, whereas standing has been seen as a sign of haughtiness or pride (as found in Jesus' parable of the Pharisee and the publican, for example, in Luke 18:9-14). But no physical position in and of itself (apart from whatever attitude that position may reflect) is unaceptable to God, or affects His attentiveness to our prayers. 

What matters is the attention that we are devoting to the contents of our prayers, and the frame of mind in which we are communicating with God. Any physical position that detracts from those objectives; that distracts us in our communication with God; or that is consciously being employed as an outward or public show of pride or piety, should be reconsidered.

August 17 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Saju samuel Supporter

God is looking at our inner man posture that is "humility.” Whatever the physical style, you cannot please God without this "posture.”

August 31 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

1. Kneeling
Kneeling has always been a universal sign of submission and obedience – Daniel 6:10 (Daniel knelt three times a day, praying and giving thanks, facing the Temple); Luke 22:39-44; Matthew 15:25; 2 Chronicles 6:12-14.

Pray for your unsaved family and friends as you kneel before the Lord. If you feel led to, spread your hands toward heaven, as King Solomon did.

2. Standing
Standing is a sign of reverence and respect – 1 Chronicles 23:28-31 (The Levites were instructed to stand every morning and evening to praise the Lord); Genesis 24:12-14; 2 Chronicles 20:2-9; Luke 18:9-14.

Stand alone or with others and give praise to God. Take turns thanking Him for all of the blessings He has brought into your lives. If you want, say short sentence prayers like this: “Lord, I praise You for_

3. Lie Prostrate
Lying prostrate before the Lord – This is a position taken in times of deep, intense, emotional prayer. There is no more humble position than this one. Deuteronomy 9:18-20, 25-27 (Moses lay prostrate before God for 40 days and nights); 1 Chronicles 21:16-17; Matthew 26:39.

Think of some deeply important needs–your own or someone else’s. Perhaps someone is struggling with a life-threatening disease or some kind of life crisis. Perhaps sin has been weighing you down–this would be an appropriate position in which to confess and ask the Lord for forgiveness. Or maybe you need to ask God something very important. Come before the Lord on behalf of these requests, and lie face down before the Lord. You can pray quietly by yourself or pray out loud with others. 

Kim Butts (Harvest Prayer Ministries)

There are many correct postures for prayer and no one posture is right or wrong. The Bible exhorts Christians to pray without ceasing and that necessitates various positions for prayer--no one can stay in just one position all day! But in the Bible, we can see people praying in various positions:

4. Sitting 
Acts 2:2 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Judges 20:26
Rather than external positioning, the Bible emphasizes the posture of the heart. Whether you are standing, sitting, or lying down, the important thing is that your heart is bowed in submission to the lordship of Christ. False religion places a premium on external behavior, while true Christianity is concerned with the heart. And true prayer is characterized by an attitude of humility before God-not the physical posture of the person praying. 
gty.org

August 22 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report