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Bowing on Our Knees to Pray? 1-16-25

Betty A. Burnett


Recently there have been several conversations coming from some seniors who think they must bow on their knees to pray. Several scriptures are mentioned, as to the positions some were in when they prayed.


There are many examples in the Bible of godly men and women bowing or kneeling when they pray. Here are a few:

·         Solomon knelt before the altar and spread his hands out toward heaven as he prayed to dedicate the temple (1 Kings 8:54).

·         Ezra fell on his knees and spread his hands out to the Lord as he prayed in confession for the sins of the people (Ezra 9:5).

·         Daniel knelt down on his knees three times a day to pray and give thanks before God (Daniel 6:10).

·         Stephen knelt down and prayed as he was being stoned, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60).

·         Peter knelt down and prayed before raising Tabitha from the dead (Acts 9:40).

·         Paul knelt down and prayed with the Ephesian elders before leaving them (Acts 20:36).






For this reason, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:14)






Examples in the Bible where people did not bow on their knees and pray

·         Nehemiah prayed in the palace of the king while in the king's presence. So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven (Nehemiah 1:4).

·         And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him (Mark 11:25a)

·         I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting (1 Timothy 2:8).

·         Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You (John 17:1).

·         He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matthew 26:39).


This is the main emphasis. There is nothing set in stone where we must bow down on our knees to pray. There are different ways the body can be positioned to pray to the Lord. God is looking at the attitude of the heart, not the position. Remember how the Pharisees stood on the corner at the marketplace.




Suppose you are on an airplane, on the bus, or driving your car, and there is an urgent need to pray for someone, how are you going to bow on your knees? Are you going to wait until your destination is reached to pray? What about people who are bed-ridden, or have other problems with their bodies?




Please do not single out a scripture. We are commanded to study, to search out the scriptures, and see how other verses are connected, related to, and supported by that one scripture.

 





His handmaiden, Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org

 

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