We use many positions in prayer, kneeling, standing, hands folded, opened and more. Which is correct before God and which honors God most?
"I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land." Psalm 143:5-6. NIV.
THE ESSENCE OF HIS PRAYER
This person begins by turning his thoughts and meditations toward the Lord. He remembers; he brings up the facts of God's actions in history and perhaps his own past. He meditates on all God's works; to meditate is to turn something over and over again in your mind, to look it many different ways, and to weigh it and balance it against option and views.
POSTURE FOLLOWED PRAYER
All of his meditations bring him to an experience that draws out worship from his heart; it is then that he says he "spreads out his hands" to God. His spread out hands is a beautiful expression of supplication or asking for mercy to one who is greater than you are. Open hands are a universal gesture of receiving; it shows openness, emptiness, and submission. Spread out hands show that nothing can be brought to God to pay for his mercies. This gesture is secondary to the statements of worship that comes before it, making words of worship primary and more important to the action of his hand worship posture.
THE RESULT
His prayer of worship leads to the declaration that his soul thirst for God. Our sacrifices of worship and service do not buy answered prayer, or God's grace, but are a response to The Lord's goodness. This contemplation of The Almighty and His works leads to dedication.
THE TRUE POSTURE
The author of Psalm 143:5-6 had a vital and living relationship with God. No ritual is indicated as a part of this worship; the raised hands are a spontaneous response that was born of the meditations on God's works. We may kneel, lie on our face or stand up to worship- it is not as important as the relationship. Mankind looks on the outward form and sometimes judges what he sees; but God looks at the heart and the posture God honors is the posture of a humble, contemplative spirit that speaks out in devoted reverence and worship.
To know how to have a personal relationship with God follow this link.
"I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land." Psalm 143:5-6. NIV.
THE ESSENCE OF HIS PRAYER
This person begins by turning his thoughts and meditations toward the Lord. He remembers; he brings up the facts of God's actions in history and perhaps his own past. He meditates on all God's works; to meditate is to turn something over and over again in your mind, to look it many different ways, and to weigh it and balance it against option and views.
POSTURE FOLLOWED PRAYER
All of his meditations bring him to an experience that draws out worship from his heart; it is then that he says he "spreads out his hands" to God. His spread out hands is a beautiful expression of supplication or asking for mercy to one who is greater than you are. Open hands are a universal gesture of receiving; it shows openness, emptiness, and submission. Spread out hands show that nothing can be brought to God to pay for his mercies. This gesture is secondary to the statements of worship that comes before it, making words of worship primary and more important to the action of his hand worship posture.
THE RESULT
His prayer of worship leads to the declaration that his soul thirst for God. Our sacrifices of worship and service do not buy answered prayer, or God's grace, but are a response to The Lord's goodness. This contemplation of The Almighty and His works leads to dedication.
THE TRUE POSTURE
The author of Psalm 143:5-6 had a vital and living relationship with God. No ritual is indicated as a part of this worship; the raised hands are a spontaneous response that was born of the meditations on God's works. We may kneel, lie on our face or stand up to worship- it is not as important as the relationship. Mankind looks on the outward form and sometimes judges what he sees; but God looks at the heart and the posture God honors is the posture of a humble, contemplative spirit that speaks out in devoted reverence and worship.
To know how to have a personal relationship with God follow this link.
(c)Adron Dozat 11/2/11
