Bible Bites
“What’s With Praying on Your Knees?!!”
Peek into the bedroom. It’s primitive to say the least. We would hardly call it a bed. It certainly is not one of those orthopedic mattresses. You think you have a good reason for not praying on your knees because the carpet at your bedside isn’t thick enough. Look at what’s on his floor. Hard and bumpy. He doesn’t have to worry about a chandelier breaking loose and falling on his head while he sleeps. A candle for a light. And to make matters worse, he didn’t always have it that good. Sometimes this Christian was behind bars for his faith. The basic amenities would be few and far between. No cafeteria; no gymnasium; no Wi-Fi or cable. Worse than roughin’ it!
With your prison-pass, you peek into his cell. He’s on his knees. He seems oblivious to his environment. He’s deep in thought. Actually he’s praying. A snippet of his prayer went something like this:
“….and Lord, again this day I thank You for working in the lives of the people in Colossae and for saving their precious souls. I haven’t met them yet, Lord but I’ve heard thrilling news about the work You are doing in their lives. Thanks for sending me such encouraging news. May You fill those dear Christians with the knowledge of Your will. Make them spiritually wise and give them understanding and insights into things of eternal significance. Father, I pray that You will help them to be good Christians. Strengthen them to do many good works and to bear much fruit. Work deeply in their lives so they will know You more deeply and intimately every day. Lord, my great desire for them is that they will experience Your power in their lives so they will be able to endure the trials of the Christian life with a joyful smile in their heart and ….”
The Apostle Paul wrote to the local church in Colossae and shared with them a segment of his prayer for them:
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you,
asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will .. “. and so on.
(Colossians 1:9-11)
What is your prayer life like? Do you prayer for others and are you specific? What are your prayer ‘routines’? Routine starts with an ‘R’ – just like ritual. Normally we think of rituals and routines as something that’s mechanical and heartless. But when it comes to praying, you need to establish the habit of prayer. When you pray every day; where you pray every day; whatyou pray for and howyou pray. Of course, you can pray anytime, anywhere and in any manner. But do you also have a dedicated time of prayer each day that is a part of the ‘habits’ of your spiritual life?
If you don’t already pray regularly on your knees maybe you should. If you once did but no longer bother, perhaps you should re-think that. You will probably find it will bring about an enrichment in your prayer life. Check out these Bible references regarding praying on your knees, bowing down and kneeling in prayer: 1Kings 8:54, Ezra 9:5, Psalm 95:6, Isaiah 45:23, Daniel 6:10, Micah 6:6, Luke 22:41, Acts 7:60, Acts 9:40, Acts 20:36, Romans 11:4, Romans 14:11, Ephesians 3:14, Philippians 2:10. What could you learn from these verses?
If you are a young father or mother reading this and you don’t already pray with your children on your knees, maybe it would be a positive memory for them to have.
There is just something different about praying on your knees. Try it for two months.
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ
Peter Ramsay