Why Kneeling or Lifting Hands Can Help Prayer and Worship

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Clik here to view.Visiting a church

Years ago my wife and I visited Jack Hayford’s Church on the Way.

We were used to church services where we’d sing a few songs and then hear a sermon.

But Church on the Way was different.

They weren’t just going to church — they were seeking God.

They weren’t just enjoying a service — they were worshiping God.

They weren’t just singing songs – they were meeting the Living God.

Not only that …

Some were kneeling before God, some lifting their hands to God, some bowing before God.

And I will never forget one couple right in front of us.

They were both lifting their hands in worship.

Then the husband reached over and grasped his wife’s raised hand — so that together they lifted their hands to the Lord.

Beautiful.

Deeply impacted

That service impacted me in many ways.

One was that I started noticing how often bowing, kneeling, and lifting hands are mentioned in the Bible –

Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah … fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord.  (2Ch 20:18)

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!  (Psa 95:6)

[Daniel] got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. (Dan 6:10)

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands. (1Tim 2:8)

Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! (Psa 141:2)

Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the LORD! (Psa 134:2)

But I’m an introvert

I am.  Not very expressive.  So this felt a little uncomfortable.

But I started to wonder — Is physical posture important?

It seemed to be  — based on God’s Word.  But why?

Here’s an illustration that helps me –

Imagine that I am sitting at the kitchen table, and Jan is at our sink, and I want to tell her that I love her.

So think of what I’d feel if I stayed sitting, and said to her — “I love you.”

I’d mean it.  And I’d feel it.

But –

Think of what I’d feel if I got up from the kitchen table, walked over to her, took her in my arms, looked her in the eye, and said “I love you.”

Same words.  But I would feel them more deeply.  Much more deeply.

Why?

It’s because our feelings and bodies are connected.

Our physical posture can express our feelings — and strengthen our feelings.

Not that physical posture produces feelings.

But if we are already feeling love for God — physical posture can strengthen that even more.

Specifically –

Kneeling can deepen humility before God.

Bowing can increase awe of God.

Lifting hands can strengthen desire for God — or praise to God — or neediness before God.

So here’s a suggestion –

Start with your own private prayer

What’s most important is your heart.

So focus on nurturing your heart for God through prayer and God’s Word.

Then — as God stirs your feelings — try this and see what happens –

As you worship — raise your hands toward God.

As you confess — bow down on the floor before God.

As you plead — kneel before Him — stretch out your hands to Him.

I can almost guarantee — your feelings toward God will be strengthened.

What difference did this make?

I’d love to hear — leave a comment below.  Thanks!

And if you know someone who would be helped by reading this — email it to them using the “share” button below — or use the buttons to share it on your favorite social medium.

And here’s some related links you might find helpful –

• How George Whitefield Read God's Word
• Blaise Pascal's Astonishing Experience
• Don't settle for just knowing the truth -- FEEL the truth (a 4-min video)
• "Mystery" by Charlie Hall (5-min worship video)

(Picture on everystockphoto by kalandrakas.)