Monday, November 24, 2014

What's the Proper Posture of Prayer?

On a lighter note, on the subject of prayer, I know we've all heard people argue about the proper posture of prayer. Everyone has their own "opinion". Truth is, there are many postures for prayer "described" in scripture, but not always necessarily "prescribed".

Some standing, some kneeling, some prostrate on the ground. Some eyes open, some eyes closed, some blinded by the Glory of the Lord. Some from a lions den, some from the belly of a fish. Some from the depths of a well. Some from a mountain top, some from a valley. Get the point?

Here's a humorous poem that addresses some of the disagreements, and 'ol Cyrus Brown gives pretty good insight in the end. His experience was from a similar place as Jeremiah the Prophet. (well, maybe in a very small way)
The Prayer of Cyrus Brown, by Sam Walter Foss(1859-1911)
"The proper way for a man to pray,"
Said Deacon Lemuel Keyes,
"And the only proper attitude
Is down upon his knees."
"No, I should say the way to pray,"
Said Reverend Doctor Wise,
"Is standing straight with outstretched arms
And rapt and upturned eyes."
"Oh, no, no, no,"
said Elder Slow,
Such posture is too proud.
"A man should pray with eyes fast-closed
And head contritely bowed."
"It seems to me his hands should be
Austerely clasped in front
With both thumbs pointing toward the ground,"
Said Reverend Doctor Blunt.
"Last year I fell in Hodgkin's well
Headfirst," said Cyrus Brown,
"With both my heels a-stickin' up
And my head a-pointin' down.
"And I made a prayer right then and there,
The best prayer I ever said,
The prayingest prayer I ever prayed,
A-standin' on my head."