© 11 Colin Melbourne
Always Kneel to Pray?
Q: Is it a sin to pray lying down instead of kneeling down? Lucy
A: No. Under the New Covenant believers are instructed to pray without ceasing, that is continually, 1 Thess. 5:17. So if kneeling is a pre-requisite of biblical prayer we’d never be able to stand up would we?
In Gethsemane, Christ began praying kneeling (Lk. 22:41) but was soon prostrate, lying face down on the ground. Mk. 14:35, Mtt. 26:39.
Kneeling to pray and worship is biblical (2 Ch. 6:13, 29:29, Is. 45:23, Ps. 95:6, Ac. 9:40, Eph. 3:14, Phil. 2:10). It is a sign of humility and reverence before God, and that’s good when it is sincere. However, in many denominations it has become a mere outward religious practice, with six-inch-thick cushions in the pews. Lord save us from religion!
I often kneel to pray, but I also pray whatever I’m doing, and wherever I am; in the shower, in bed, on my bike, lying on my back, on my stomach, sitting, standing, walking, writing this, and so on.
One of my most intimate times of prayer fellowship with the Lord was when I was flat on my back changing the brake master-cylinder underneath my 1969 Morris Minor.
Standing to pray is also biblical. Jesus said in Mk. 11:25 KJV;
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
But the important factor to remember is that God wants heart to heart fellowship and communication, living in His Presence, not outward ritualistic observance.
He’s much more concerned about the attitude of our hearts than the position of our bodies.
I Kneel Before the Father
However, having made those points, I’d also like to draw your attention to the effect of a believer dropping to his knees to pray, on one famous wicked sinner.
The sinner-man was 21 years old; a cunning thief, a scoundrel, and criminal ex-convict. He had led a life of habitual sin, including; immorality, fighting, carousing, duelling, lying to, and stealing from, his own family.
An equally disreputable friend invited the sinner to a Christian’s home where weekly Bible studies, and a sermon reading, were held. Both were shocked that’d he’d even agreed to attend. That’s often how it is when the Holy Spirit draws sinners to Christ.
The informal meeting began in the drawing room with an hymn, then a young Christian knelt to pray God’s blessing on the gathering. This gentleman was later to become a missionary in Africa. But the sight of him on his knees before God stunned the sinner-man. He’d never seen such a thing in his life.
He’d been raised as a nominal Christian, studied at divinity school and been ‘confirmed’, but not once had he knelt in prayer, or witnessed anyone else kneel to pray.
God’s Spirit touched him, and alone at home that same night, the wicked rebel gave his heart to Christ, and became a new creation.
George Müller (pronounced Mew-ler) subsequently lived an astonishing Christian life; founding orphanages, and schools in Bristol, England, rescuing more than 10,000 orphans, and educating over 100,000 children.
It is estimated the funds he spent financing his philanthropic ministry were equal to 90 million pounds in today’s currency.
But, the wonderful lesson we learn from Müller’s ministry is this: Not once did he ask anybody for finance, or solicit donations. Instead he and his co-workers kept the needs of the orphanages secret, and relied entirely on prayer, asking the Lord for provision.
Read George Müller’s life-story, and you’ll be thrilled by the wonderful answers to prayer he received from God’s Hand.
All because he never forgot the sight of a humble Christian praying on his knees to God.
This George Müller DVD, is a prize-winning docu-drama that will really inspire your fellowship to live by faith. A wonderful antidote to the pay and we pray brigade.
Clean and Holy Hands
What about hands? The Bible way is to lift up holy hands in prayer, so I do that a lot, unless I’m driving! (Ps. 63:4, La. 3:41, 1 Tim. 2:8)
When praying for healing it is normal to lay hands on the sick individual. (Mk. 16:15, Ac. 28:8)
One method of imparting the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is laying hands on seeker’s heads and praying that they receive the Baptism. (Ac. 8:18, 19:6)
Similarly; anointing, ministries, and gifts of the Holy Spirit may be imparted by laying on of hands. (Ac. 6:6, 13:3, 1 Tim. 4:14, 2 Tim. 1:6, Heb. 6:2)
At home, I like to give thanks for a meal holding hands around the table. I have no biblical injunction for this at all, it’s something I’ve done since being saved, it just comes naturally. It’s also a nice way of including unsaved guests at our dinner table too. Sometimes they are embarrassed, but mostly they like it. I don’t give visitors any opportunity to decline to join in the prayer. If they eat my food, they must respectfully thank my Father for it.
Another outward aspect of praying where people get tied in knots is head-covering. Some Christians believe women should always wear hats or scarves in services. This issue, along with the silent women chestnut, is covered in The Woman Question.
This is a wonderful eye-opening Teaching on Prayer. You will find you have wasted much time by praying as men have taught you instead of how the Bible teaches us to pray in the New Covenant. If you want results, get the book.
© 11 Colin Melbourne