Summary: The different positions we take when praying.

POSTURES IN PRAYER

Mark 11:25

Our posture in prayer may or may not be an important matter; it all depends on the circumstances. The Bible reveals different postures of men during periods of Prayer.

Moses stood before the Lord on the mount while the Lord appeared to him. Christ said, "when ye stand praying."

I. BOWING DOWN

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. Psalm 95:6.

Bowing the head, when it’s before the Lord, is an attitude of worship and reveals respect to God.

Every time any one appears before the Lord in prayer he should show reverence toward God.

II. KNEELING

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. - Acts. 20:36

Under ordinary circumstances kneeling should be the predominate posture to assume in a season of prayer. The early Christians used this humble and reverent gesture of humility.

III. FALLING ON THE FACE

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, Matt. 26:39.

Falling on the face in a prostrate form before the Lord is getting as low before Him as possible in a bodily posture.

IV. LYING DOWN

Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord." Isa. 38:2.

Hezekiah was lying on a bed when he prayed for his healing.

V. STANDING

And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: I Kings 8:22.

Standing is not an improper posture for prayer.

It wasn’t the Pharisee’s posture of standing that was wrong when he prayed it was his attitude.

VI. LOOKING UP WITH OPEN EYES

My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord: in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up. Psalm 5:3.

VII. LIFTING UP AND SPREADING FORTH HOLY HANDS.

Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. - I Tim. 2:8