Day 12—What your posture can say about your prayer

The Psalms contain a record of many powerful prayers. They range from lament to celebration and record the full range of human emotion. There is happiness and sadness; hope and despair. But in all instances, God hears the cry of his people, even when his people sense God to be very distant.

Take a moment to focus on a particular concern you need to bring before God. If you need to confess your sin and offer repentance, you may wish to lay face down on the floor in a posture of humility and contrition. If you need to offer thanks, you may wish to raise your hands high in celebration. If you need to receive grace, you may want to extend an open hand, asking God to fill your palm with grace overflowing.

You may wish to consider your body posture during prayer. Do you sit still in a comfortable chair? Do you kneel beside your bed or another place you have designated as an altar? You may have a kneeler for this purpose. How does your posture communicate to God in a way that transcends your words?

Like the psalmist, let your body and your words guide your prayer.

God Who Is Worthy of Glory and Praise, let me come before you, body, soul, and spirit, bringing to you my entire being as an offering. Amen.