Prayer Week 16: The Posture of Worship

Our posture makes a big difference. The way that we stand and hold our hands can affect our own confidence levels and the way that people react to us. If we hunch our shoulders and shuffle our feet we come off as insecure. If we cross our arms and don’t smile we come off as angry. If we shuffle our feet and look around people think we are bored or distracted and not paying attention. When we slouch we feel at ease and relaxed, but sitting up straight helps us focus and get work done.

 

Psalm 143:6 New American Standard Bible 1995

I stretch out my hands to You;
My soul longs for You, as a parched land. 

Isaiah 29:4 New American Standard Bible 1995

Then you will be brought low;
From the earth you will speak,
And from the dust where you are prostrate
Your words will come.
Your voice will also be like that of a spirit from the ground,
And your speech will whisper from the dust.

Psalm 95:6 New American Standard Bible 1995

Come, let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

Psalm 135:1-3 New American Standard Bible 1995

Praise the Lord!
Praise the name of the Lord;
Praise Him, O servants of the Lord,
You who stand in the house of the Lord,
In the courts of the house of our God!
Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;
Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.

 

Our posture affects our attitudes. We feel lazy and complacent when we slouch, but we feel driven and attentive when we sit up and lean forward. Not only does this affect our attitudes and the way people react to us, but also the way that we react to God. Our hearts are more active in worship when we stand to sing rather than sitting down. In Anne of Green Gables, Anne is instructed to pray before bed kneeling, and she asks why. If she were to pray how she wanted, she would stand in a field, lifting her hands to heaven.

 

This week when you pray, try using different postures: kneel in submission, stand in awe with your hands lifted high, or fall on your face in humility before your Creator. You can do this physically or inwardly in the inner sanctuary of your soul. See what a difference each makes on your heart and prayers.

 Prayer points taken from Praying Through Adversity by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.