Postures for Prayer

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EXPLORE SOME OF THESE biblical postures for prayer:

Stand:

Standing is way of honoring the presence of another and giving him or her your full attention. Stand before her majesty of God.

  • The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by… ” (1 Kings 19:11)
  • 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)
  • The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD. (Genesis 18:22)

Outstretched Arms:

Lifting up our arms or hands pulls our awareness toward heaven. It is a poster that opens the core of our body toward God.

  • May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. (Psalm 141:2)
  • I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. (Psalm 63:4)
  • When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted. (Psalm 77:2)
  • Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. (1 Timothy 2:8)

Uplifted Eyes:

Looking up to heaven with open eyes draws our attention above earthly realities to eternal verities. We are not alone. God is watching us.

  • I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he shows us his mercy. (Psalm 123:1-2)
  • He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). (Mark 7:34)
  • Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. (Mark 6:41)
  • After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. (John 17:1)

Kneeling:

Kneeling is a way we express humility and reverence.

  • When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the LORD, he rose from before the altar of the Lord, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven. (1 Kings 8:54)
  • Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. (Acts 9:40)
  • Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. (Daniel 6:10)
  • A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” (Mark 1:40)

Prostrate:

Lying face down or bowing low to earth reminds us that we were created from dust and to dust we will return. It is posture of submission and obedient worship.

  • Abram fell facedown… (Genesis 17:3)
  • …And when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped. (Exodus 4:31)
  • Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. (Nehemiah 8:6)
  • Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. (2 Chronicles 20:18)
  • While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy.[a]When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” (Luke 5:12)
  • Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. (Luke 8:47)
  • May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him. (Psalm 72:11)
  • All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name.” (Psalm 66:4)