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The Attitude in Prayer

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 11, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 2.

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The Attitude in Prayer

By Francis M. Wilcox

THE child of God can not live without earnest daily prayer. Through this means he holds communion with his blessed Redeemer, giving praise and thanksgiving for the many benefits received, and drawing strength for his need in the battle against sin.
The proper mental attitude is for the suppliant to come to God with every worldly consideration shut out of mind; with the heart open to heavenly influences, and with the mind intently fixed upon God in adoration and intense longing for the desired blessing.
The proper bodily attitude is one in harmony with the humility of soul with which the humble suppliant should approach the great Creator of the universe. The Scriptures of truth indicate what this attitude should be. In the record afforded us the suppliants are represented as humbly kneeling. This is the example set us by our blessed Lord, who “kneeled down, and prayed.” Luke 22:41. The same bodily attitude of prayer was seen in the worship of the disciples. It is said of them that they “kneeled down, . . . and prayed.” Acts 21:5. Stephen, one of the first deacons of the Christian church and a martyr for Jesus, “kneeled down,” and prayed. Acts 7:60. The great apostle to the Gentiles declares, “I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Eph. 3:14. Ezra is represented as kneeling and confessing before God the sins of Israel (Ezra 9:5): while of Daniel it is said, “He kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God.” Dan. 6:10. Solomon, the king of Israel, kneeled before all the assembled hosts at the dedication of the temple, and poured out his petition unto the Lord. 2 Chron. 6:13. The psalmist invites this form of worship from the people in the words, “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.” Ps. 95:6.
We do not believe that the bodily attitude in prayer of itself alone brings the desired blessings. God will hear the sincere petition of the humble heart from whatever bodily attitude it may ascend to him. There may be circumstances, as in crowded assemblies, or on special occasions or services, where it is proper to stand and invoke the blessing of God. But ordinarily, whether in public or in private, where reasonable opportunity is afforded, we believe it is always better to assume a humble kneeling attitude in addressing the great Majesty of heaven. This truly is in better keeping with our relative positions.
We have one example recorded in the Word of God standing while praying. It says of the Pharisee that he “stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are.” Luke 18:11. It is not by any means for us to conclude from this that one who prays in this attitude possesses this character, but it does show the contrast made in the Word of God regarding the attitude to be assumed in prayer.
The following excellent words from the pen of Mrs. E. G. White, published in the REVIEW of Nov. 30, 1905, are to the point:—
The prayer offered by Solomon during the dedication of the temple, was not made while he stood upon his feet. The king knelt in the humble position of a petitioner. Herein is a lesson for God’s people to-day. Our spiritual strength and our influence are not increased by conforming to a worldly attitude during prayer. In these perilous times, those who profess to be God’s commandment-keeping people should guard against the tendency to lose the spirit of reverence and godly fear.
The Scriptures teach men how to approach their Maker,—with humility and awe, through faith in a divine Mediator. Let man come on bended knee, as a subject of grace, a suppliant at the footstool of mercy. Thus he is to testify that the whole soul, body, and spirit are in subjection to his Creator. Both in public and private worship, it is our duty to bow upon our knees before God when we offer our petitions to him.
In these days when there is so strong a tendency to substitute the form for the substance and the letter for the spirit in the work and service of God; when ritualism is supplanting in so large a measure true devotion, it is well for us in our public worship to maintain the simplicity of form set for us in the Scriptures of truth. But while we seek to maintain this form in our practise, let us be careful that we do not become self-righteous, even in its use, and so substitute the true form for the genuine spirit of true worship. The form itself, however humble it may be in outward appearance, is but a hypocritical pretense unless it represents true soul humility.
F. M. W.