POSTURES FOR PRAYER – POSTURE OF THE HEART

Main Text: 2 Chronicles 6:13
…. He stood on the platform and then knelt down before the whole Assembly of Israel and spread out his hands towards heaven” NIV

2 Chronicles 6:40 – Now my God, let I beseech thee: thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

When I confronted my neighbor in the Church on why he closes his eyes, when we sang praises to God, he told me that it helps him focus and block out distractions, so he can concentrate, soul, spirit and body all praising God.

Some people wonder, if our eyes must be closed when we pray. Since we can pray at anytime (without ceasing), it might prove difficult to always close our eyes – especially if we are taking a walk, driving a vehicle, or in our duty post.

There are also no rules on what position our body must be in when we pray/talk to God. When King Solomon prayed to dedicate the temple he had built, “he knelt down and spread out his hands towards heavens” (2 Chr. 6:13).

Kneeling (Ephesians 3:14), standing (Luke 18:10-13), and even lying face down (Matthew 26:39) and bending down to the ground with our face between knees (1 Kings 18:40) are all mentioned in the bible as positions for prayer.

Whether we kneel or stand before God, whether we lift our hands heavenward, or close our eyes so we can better focus on God – it is not the posture of our body, but of our heart that is important. Everything we do flows from our heart (Proverbs 4:23) .

THE HIGHEST OF PRAYER COMES FROM THE DEPTHS OF A HUMBLE HEART BOWED IN ADORATION TO GOD

Prayer: Lord God Almighty direct my focus always towards you and teach me to follow you with all my heart in obedience and love.

BY BISHOP NGOZI DURUEKE (HE REIGNS CHAPEL INTERNATIONAL) To send your testimony, write us: mylivingwaterdevotional@gmail.com.