Questions and Answers

Q: Some contend that prayer is acceptable to God only when one kneels. Please comment. A: This contention is based on the view that kneeling is a more reverent posture in prayer than standing, but this is not necessarily true. Humility is an attitude of heart, not a position of body. Often, in the biblical period, petitioners prostrated themselves on the ground in worship; and, to this day, this is the posture assumed by Moslems, in their devotions, to Allah. This is the position of the elders before the Lamb in Rev. 5:8-14. John fell down before the feet of the angel who gave him a preview of the River of Life and the Throne of God (Rev. 22:8). Kneeling is often mentioned in the scriptures as the position taken in prayer (2 Chron. 6:13; Ezra 9:5; Daniel 6:10; Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60; Eph. 3:14), but, so also is standing (Mark 11:25; Luke 18:13); and, our Lord on the cross, prayed in a position which was neither standing nor kneeling. Those who insist that the proper posture in prayer is kneeling, concede that in the offering of thanks for the emblems on the Lord’s table and during dismissal of the congregation, it is in order to stand; and they attempt to distinguish between the giving of thanks on such occasions and prayer. These views result far more from custom than from scripture. Even the great and good David Lipscomb wrote, “The scriptural declarations and examples are that we should stand up to give thanks, but kneel to pray. When the leading purpose is thanksgiving, it is proper to stand up; when the design is prayer, kneeling is proper.” It is indeed proper; and, while not in keeping with custom, it would be equally proper to kneel in thanksgiving before the Lord; but it is not required that any exclusive bodily position be taken in order to be acceptable prayer. It is the state of the heart, and manner of life which determine whether our prayers are heard, and not physical or bodily positions. One may and ought to pray often; prayer may be uttered while reclining in bed, while seated at the wheel of an automobile, or while flying at great speeds miles above the earth in an airliner. Kneeling in prayer is certainly pleasing to God; but we must not make laws touching these and any other matters respecting our relationships to God.