Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 17, 2016
When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the Lord, he rose from before the altar of the Lord, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven. 1 Kings 8:54
The posture of my body is an expression of my intimate prayers, supplications and worship to the Lord God Almighty. In humility and trust I can spiritually dive into the depths of God’s grace and love with an air tank full of faith and hope, or in self reliance I can dart back and forth on a spiritual jet ski across the surface of sound bite Christianity—loud and erratic, distracted by waves, only to end up where I started—exhausted and sunburned. But a body submitted in praise to its Creator experiences the quiet wonder of His love, enamored by the beauty of His holiness.
Solomon, in awe and gratitude, starts by standing up in this sacred moment thanking the Lord for His covenant of love to His people, expressed in His precious promises and exhibited in His faithfulness and favor over multiple generations. The king ends his prayers and supplications to Almighty God kneeling with his hands spread out to heaven, having confessed his sins and the sins of the people—sins resulting in the afflictions they suffered, but as a blessing brought them back to God. A body bowed in reverent worship reflects a heart bowed in reverent worship.
“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care” (Psalm 95:6-7).
Is your soul slumped over and exhausted like a marathoner who just crossed the finish line? If you are spiritually fatigued, you may need to start by sitting quietly before the Lord and let His Spirit fill your heart and mind with His reassuring presence and peace. Observe God’s handiwork around you—something as small and simple as a bustling bee gathering life giving nectar from a blossom— illustrates the sweet honey of Scripture infusing energy into your eternal self. A physical pause positions you to enter into the presence of Strength—Who empowers the weak.
Prayer and praise can be an individual lying face down in submission (Genesis 17:1-22) or a group of Jesus followers in joyful praise (Luke 19:37-38). Whether sitting, standing, lying, kneeling or walking—stay physically submitted, mentally alert, emotionally engaged and Spirit led. God blesses a posture of prayer that is Christ centered and humble hearted—which learns from Biblical examples and people of prayer. Prayer without ceasing celebrates variety, while being occupied with the heart of the Father, the mind of Christ and the Holy Spirit’s leadership.
“Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me” (Psalm 66:20).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, lead me into a robust life of prayer—that I may engage the wonder of Your love.Application
How can I vary my posture in prayer, experiencing the Lord in the process?Related Reading
Nehemiah 9:5; Joshua 7:6; John 17:1; Acts 9:40; 2 Timothy 2:8Post/Tweet today
A body bowed in reverent worship reflects a heart bowed in reverent worship. #WisdomHunters #PosturesofPrayerWorship Resource
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